Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: No

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 17, 2024

Purpose:

Content: Motion 1 – Winter Fuel Payments   That Council approves the following motion:-   “The Labour Government’s decision to block Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners who do not receive benefits such as pension credit will impact around 57,000 pensioners in North Northants. This will affect the health & well-being of our poorest older residents.   44% of pensioners entitled to pension credit do not claim it. Many pensioners are too proud to ask for means tested benefits or could find it difficult to manage the 22 page application form to apply for pension credit.   Pensioners have received this payment without means testing since its inception. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs have increased, and the Government is raising the energy price cap by 10% this winter. There is also a prediction that the price cap will rise another 3% in early 2025.   Pensioners will therefore need the winter fuel allowance more than ever as without it, many vulnerable pensioners will be forced to choose between heating and eating.   Therefore, this Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer  asking them to reverse the decision to stop Winter Fuel payments for our pensioners.”   Motion 2 – VAT on Private School Fees   That Council approves the following motion:-   “The Government has said that it will remove the exemption for 20% VAT in fees for private schools. This Council is concerned that this may lead to many parents having to remove their children from their private school and send them to a state school. Many parents struggle and go without to pay for their children’s private education and would not be able to afford a rise of 20% in the fees.   In view of the lack of school places particularly in our secondary schools, we are concerned that this will have a big impact on schools in North Northants and on the pupils.   This Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask:   1.    What estimates have you made of the effect of this decision on schools in North Northamptonshire? i.e. How many extra pupils in what year groups are expected to move to the state system?   2.    What estimates have been made of the cost to North Northants Council to provide school places and home to school transport for these displaced pupils?   3.    Is the Government going to provide new burden funding for local authorities to cope with the capital cost of buildings and facilities to cope with this increase in pupils at our state schools?   4.    Is the Government going to provide funding for local authorities to cope with the revenue cost for our state schools if they have sudden influx of new pupils?”