Agenda

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2024.

To be advised of any additional items of business which the Mayor decides by reason of special circumstances shall be taken as matters of urgency at this meeting. Items will be considered at the end of the agenda.

To deal with questions under Council Procedure Rule number 14.

To deal with petitions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.

To receive the Leader of the Council's Position Statement.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 25 July 2024.

To present the HRA investment strategy 2024 – 2028 and associated financial information for approval.

To seek approval of the calendar of meetings for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year and for the 2025/26 year.

For information only: In accordance with part 2(f) paragraph 3.2 of the Council’s constitution, the Chief Executive has authorised the following in-year changes to membership of council bodies:

·         Councillor Bray to replace Councillor Hollick on Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee

·         Councillor Cope to replace Councillor Weightman on Planning Committee.

The Borough Council notes:

·         Reports from across the UK and in particular from local residents that Royal Mail is failing to deliver vital post, in a timely manner. Examples include missed medical appointments, late fines and important items from banks, solicitors as well as important personal letters and cards from family and friends

·         Many people still rely on mail deliveries and do not have access to email and other forms of communication

·         The hard work and long hours being undertaken by postal staff in an effort to deliver mail.

The Council further notes with concern:

·         The recent increases in prices of postage rates – the fourth increase in two years

·         Proposals being floated to reduce the frequency of postal deliveries.

Council resolves:

1.    To express thanks to our hard-working postal staff for their continued efforts

2.    To invite local Royal Mail managers to attend a meeting of the Council’s Scrutiny Commission to hear concerns from members about postal deliveries in their area

3.    To request the Chief Executive writes to the Chief Executive of Royal Mail to express the Council’s concerns about Royal Mail deliveries across the borough.

Council notes the recent announcement by the Labour government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of pension credits and other benefits.

Though many agree that universal winter fuel payments are not necessary, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will now not receive the payments. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million).

In Hinckley & Bosworth the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 22,431. That means 92.5% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.

Council believes that the Labour government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for winter fuel payments too low. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for pension credits. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate.

Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit, with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving it – and over £880,000 pensioners not doing so. Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as pension credit to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to.

Council further notes that the energy price cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined with the removal of winter fuel payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

Council resolves to:

1.    Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking winter fuel payments to pension credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for winter fuel payments

2.    Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits.