Cost of Living Emergency Motion
Our country is in the grips of a cost of living emergency - like nothing that has been seen in generations with soaring inflation and the Bank of England predicting a recession this autumn.
Millions of families and pensioners are being forced to choose between heating and eating. And millions more are worried about how to pay their bills this winter, with another staggering energy price rise just around the corner.
We already have a high cost of living in South Cambridgeshire and those of our residents on low incomes will face unprecedented hardship this winter.
Businesses are also impacted by the energy price rise and local traders are warning that many of them will not be able to survive the increase in costs without support.
In these circumstances this Council declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’.
On behalf of South Cambridgeshire residents it instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Government to ask that it:
While for its part, South Cambridgeshire District Council has already:
And will:
Decision:
Council agreed the following motion:
Our country is in the grips of a cost of living emergency - like nothing that has been seen in generations with soaring inflation and the Bank of England predicting a recession this autumn.
Millions of families and pensioners are being forced to choose between heating and eating. And millions more are worried about how to pay their bills this winter, with another staggering energy price rise just around the corner.
We already have a high cost of living in South Cambridgeshire and those of our residents on low incomes will face unprecedented hardship this winter.
Businesses are also impacted by the energy price rise and local traders are warning that many of them will not be able to survive the increase in costs without support.
In these circumstances this Council declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’.
On behalf of South Cambridgeshire residents it instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Government to ask that it:
While for its part, South Cambridgeshire District Council has already:
And will:
Minutes:
In the absence of Councillor Bill Handley, Councillor John Williams proposed this motion. He explained that the existence of a cost of living crisis was undeniable, which would be exacerbated by the coming winter. In his view the Government’s proposed mini-budget would not benefit those on low income in the District. He explained that the motion was in two parts. The first part called on the Government to take action and the second part focussed on what the Council could do to assist its residents.
Councillor Pippa Heylings proposed the following amendments to the motion:
Paragraph v under the first heading to be amended to: “Supplement the October energy price freeze with i) increase in the financial support to households that rely on oil for heating and help families spread the cost over the year: ii) increase targeted support for vulnerable and low income households by doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300 and extending it to all those on Universal Credit and Pensioner Credit, whilst iii) investing in insulating leaky homes to bring down costs in the long term.”
Councillor John William agreed this amendment, which was accepted without debate.
Councillor Pippa Heylings stated that energy bills had doubled since last year. 17% of residents relied on oil for their heating and the proposed £100 subsidy for them was insufficient. In the longer term, the insulation of the District’s building could be improved. She concluded that food banks had become a vital safety net for many residents and so should be supported.
Councillor Dr John Loveluck expressed his support for the motion. He expressed concern that those in mobile homes who relied on bottled gas were being overlooked.
Councillor Stephen Drew supported the motion but was ashamed that so many residents had become reliant on food banks.
Councillor Heather Williams proposed and Councillor Graham Cone seconded the following amendments
· “Chief Executive” is amended to Leader”
· The word “considers” is added to the last sentence before the numbered points.
· The first paragraph i is amended to “Reassessing the VAT rate on a goods or service basis”.
· Paragraph v is removed.
· The following is added to the second paragraph ii: “council housing rents and waste collection charges”.
· Followed by the addition of the following paragraph iii “be mindful of the Cost of Living crisis in the setting of next year’s community room charges for sheltered housing tenants;”
· Add the following paragraph x:: “And will oppose the introduction of congestion charging in Cambridge”
Councillor Heather Williams stated that the motion was clearly political and the purpose of the motion was to mitigate this. In her view the letter should be sent by the Leader not the Chief Executive and VAT charges on luxury items should remain at 20%. The congestion charge should be opposed as it will add to the cost of living crisis.
Councillor John Williams announced that he did not support the proposed amendments. Councillor Pippa Heylings explained that unfortunately due to Government policy the setting of rent for council housing was not controlled by local authorities. Councillor John Williams explained that it would take approximately a year to change VAT and the proposed congestion charge would go out to public consultation, which should not be prejudged.
A vote on the proposed amendments was taken and were cast as follows
In favour (5):
Councillors Dr Shrobona Bhattacharya, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Bunty Waters and Heather Williams.
Against (21):
Councillors John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Ariel Cahn, Dr Martin Cahn, Stephen Drew, Peter Fane, Corinne Garvie, Sunita Hansraj, Geoff Harvey, Dr Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Dr James Hobro, Helene Leeming, Daniel Lentell, Dr John Loveluck, Brian Milnes, Dr Lisa Redrup, Judith Rippeth, Peter Sandford, Dr Aidan Van de Ven and John Williams
Abstain (0)
The amendment was lost.
Councillor John Williams proposed and Councillor Pippa Heylings proposed the amended motion. A vote was taken and were cast as follows:
In favour (21):
Councillors John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Ariel Cahn, Dr Martin Cahn, Stephen Drew, Peter Fane, Corinne Garvie, Sunita Hansraj, Geoff Harvey, Dr Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Dr James Hobro, Helene Leeming, Daniel Lentell, Dr John Loveluck, Brian Milnes, Dr Lisa Redrup, Judith Rippeth, Peter Sandford, Dr Aidan Van de Ven and John Williams
Against (5):
Councillors Dr Shrobona Bhattacharya, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Bunty Waters and Heather Williams.
Abstain (0)
Council agreed the following motion:
Our country is in the grips of a cost of living emergency - like nothing that has been seen in generations with soaring inflation and the Bank of England predicting a recession this autumn.
Millions of families and pensioners are being forced to choose between heating and eating. And millions more are worried about how to pay their bills this winter, with another staggering energy price rise just around the corner.
We already have a high cost of living in South Cambridgeshire and those of our residents on low incomes will face unprecedented hardship this winter.
Businesses are also impacted by the energy price rise and local traders are warning that many of them will not be able to survive the increase in costs without support.
In these circumstances this Council declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’.
On behalf of South Cambridgeshire residents it instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Government to ask that it:
While for its part, South Cambridgeshire District Council has already:
And will: