Agenda and decisions

To receive any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

To note any requests to speak on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme (see note at end of the agenda).

That Council approves the updated Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan as set out in Section 3 of the report and Appendix 1 to the report.

That Council:

1.     Approves the addition of £2.188m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Shipston High School, to be funded by developer contributions.

2.     Approves the addition of £16.500m to the capital programme to deliver the new primary school at Callendar Farm to be funded by developer contributions and education capital funding from the Education Capital Investment Fund

That Council approves the addition to the Capital Programme of £13.864million to be funded from the confirmed Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding, Stagecoach Midlands and Section 106 developer contributions in respect of the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme.

That Council approves the Warwickshire Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2024/25.

To consider the following motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 5:

(1)      Conservative Motion: Protecting our most vulnerable pensioners from Fuel Poverty

In their drive to be the Government of change Chancellor Rachel Reeves is proposing to restrict Winter Fuel payments to only those pensioners on pension credit. Winter Fuel payments play a significant role in helping older residents of Warwickshire and across the UK to afford heating during the coldest months thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

Restricting winter fuel payments will impact over 107,000 residents across Warwickshire and will disproportionately impact rural communities where homes are more likely to be older and less energy efficient. Rural houses have on average 49.6% energy efficiency compared to 65.5% in city centres.

This will leave the most vulnerable Warwickshire residents, on fixed incomes, no time to plan for the extra financial burden which could in turn jeopardise not only their finances but also their health.  Public Health England reports a 1.5% increase in excess winter deaths for every degree Celsius drop below 18°C, underscoring the critical need for adequate heating.

This Council resolves to:

1.              Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to ensure eligible Warwickshire residents are made aware of the availability and eligibility criteria of Pension Credit, including through the delivery of Council services and partnerships with the VCSE, to help ensure that all eligible pensioners in Warwickshire are supported in claiming their entitlement.

2.              Requests that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ask for funding for a local advertising and outreach campaign to raise awareness about Pension Credit and other benefits, targeting pensioners who may be eligible but are not currently claiming.

3.              Request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

4.              Encourage all elected members to sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK.

Proposer: Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell

Seconder: Councillor Piers Daniell

That this Council resolves to:

1.              Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to ensure eligible Warwickshire residents are made aware of the availability and eligibility criteria of Pension Credit, including through the delivery of Council services and partnerships with the VCSE, to help ensure that all eligible pensioners in Warwickshire are supported in claiming their entitlement.

2.              Requests that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ask for funding for a local advertising and outreach campaign to raise awareness about Pension Credit and other benefits, targeting pensioners who may be eligible but are not currently claiming.

3.              Request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

4.              Encourage all elected members to sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK

A period of up to 40 minutes is allocated for questions to the Leader, Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers are urgent.