Issue - items at meetings - NOTICE OF MOTIONS

In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:

1 Winter Fuel Allowance

To be moved by Councillor Phil Bibby:

Council Notes:

· The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

· The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

· The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helping older residents of Stevenage and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

· The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

· The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further exacerbating their financial hardship.

Council believes:

· That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across the UK and that restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship.

· While some pensioners currently in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment may not require it, many thousands across Stevenage sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance.

· The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.

· The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

Council resolves to:

· Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible of Pension Credit which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need.

· Request that the Council Leader 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.

2. Welcoming 21st Century New Towns

To be moved by Councillor Richard Henry

In 1946 the post war Labour Government had a vision to address the housing crisis arising from the aftermath of the Second World War and subsequently Stevenage as Britain’s first New Town was conceived.

In 2024 we are facing another housing crisis with many Stevenage residents on the housing waiting list. The new Labour Government has looked at that inspirational post war time house building programme to launch a New Towns Commission to plan a new generation of new towns fit for the 21st Century.

We were delighted that Stevenage was chosen as the launch place for the New Towns Commission.

These towns will be “well-connected, well-designed, sustainable and attractive places ... view the full agenda text for item 10.

In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:

(1) Code of Conduct

To be moved by Councillor Phil Bibby

The Council notes that the Code of Conduct for Members states that we should treat other councillors and members of the public with respect, and that the Campaigning Rules state that we must not knowingly make a false statement about the personal character of a candidate.

The Council also notes that there have been instances where these rules have not been adhered to, so resolves to remind all councillors, activists and future candidates of the need to treat everyone with respect and, on all occasions, act with integrity.

(2) Labour Government

On 4^th July, 2024, after 14 years of disastrous, draconian and divisive Conservative government, the country chose change. It chose hope. It chose Labour.

The people of Stevenage also chose Labour and, for the first time in 14 years, the Stevenage constituency will have an MP worthy of the title. Kevin Bonavia will reset the expectations of what a good local MP should be: one who works full time for Stevenage; one who works with the local authorities in his constituency, not against them; one who is accessible and accountable to local people.

We congratulate Kevin Bonavia on his election. He is one of 411 Labour MPs in the House of Commons who, with Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, a talented front bench team and a clear mandate, will bring the change and stability that the people of this country want and need.

We also congratulate the former Leader of the Council, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, on her appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Housing, Community & Local Government.

The new Government has hit the ground running. In the King’s Speech on 17^th July, the Government set out its priorities. They are ambitious and diverse priorities. In particular, those that affect Stevenage Borough Council directly include:

· A Renters’ Rights Bill that will abolish Section 21 “no-fault evictions” and empower tenants to challenge rent increases “designed to force them out by the back door”.

· Respect orders – a revamped form of Asbos – will give police powers to place restrictions on adults to tackle anti-social behaviour.

· A Planning and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the planning process and planning committees will be modernised, with resources to do their jobs.

· A commitment to housing – including social and affordable housing.

· A devolution bill for England,

· An Employment Rights bill, recognising that Labour values workers’ rights.

· Nationalisation of our railways.

The Labour Manifesto, published prior to the general election, gave commitments that a Labour Government would work collaboratively with local government. The manifesto emphasises the importance of stable funding, decision-making flexibility, and partnership with local leaders and communities to drive growth and provide essential services. The King’s Speech has opened the door to that collaboration, and, in Stevenage, we warmly welcome it.

This Council resolves that:

1. We look forward to ... view the full agenda text for item 11.

Code of Conduct

Councillor Phil Bibby moved a motion concerning the Code of Conduct.

The motion was not seconded and therefore was not debated.

New Labour Government

Councillor Richard Henry moved and Councillor Sandra Barr seconded the following motion

“On 4^th July, 2024, after 14 years of disastrous, draconian and divisive Conservative government, the country chose change. It chose hope. It chose Labour.