Bournemouth Women’s Refuge
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor D Farr and seconded by Councillor H Allen: -
There has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth's only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships.
We ask the decision be reversed and the council's policy on social care for vulnerable individuals escaping domestic violence must be fully scrutinised before committee.
Council Elections Voting System
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor J Salmon and seconded by Councillor Oliver Walters.
This Council believes that the current First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system used for local elections does not fully reflect the diverse political preferences of our electorate. We propose that the Leader of the Council contacts the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and requests that BCP Councils 2027 local elections are used as an opportunity to trial an alternative Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Background:
Proposal:
Changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and protecting pensioners from fuel poverty
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Broadhead and seconded by Councillor B Dove: -
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 in the BCP Council area alone could see 75,627 pensioners lose their fuel allowance, and which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners across the UK 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 the BCP Council areaand 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 the BCP Council regionsit 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:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.
(d) Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pooleare supported in claiming their entitlement.
Minutes:
Council was advised that three motions had been received on this occasion.
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Duane Farr and seconded by Councillor Hazel Allen.
In moving the motion Councillor Farr referred to amended wording to the motion which had been submitted by Councillor Patrick Canavan which amended the motion to read as follows: -
‘There has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth’s only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships.
We ask that the decision be reversed and the
council’s policy on social care for vulnerable individuals
escaping domestic violence must be fully scrutinised before
committee examined as part of a
cross-party working group to be established to oversee the
finalisation of the Safe Accommodation and Commissioning Strategy,
reporting to the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny
Committee in Spring 2025.’
Councillor Farr advised that the wording had been accepted by himself as the proposer and the seconder of the motion. Council agreement was sought to confirm the amendment as the substantive motion which was subsequently carried without dissent.
Comprehensive discussion took place on the item following which it was:
RESOLVED that there has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth’s only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships: -
the decision be examined as part of a cross-party working group to be established to oversee the finalisation of the Safe Accommodation and Commissioning Strategy, reporting to the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee in Spring 2025.’
Voting: For: Unanimous
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Joe Salmon and seconded by Councillor Oliver Walters.
This Council believes that the current First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system used for local elections does not fully reflect the diverse political preferences of our electorate. We propose that the Leader of the Council contacts the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and requests that BCP Councils 2027 local elections are used as an opportunity to trial an alternative Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Background:
1. Electoral Fairness:
o The FPTP system often results in disproportionate representation, where the distribution of seats does not accurately reflect the share of votes each party receives.
o STV is a proportional representation system that aims to allocate seats more fairly, ensuring that the majority of votes contribute to the election outcome.
2. Voter Empowerment:
o Under FPTP electors are frequently pressured to vote for candidates they do not favour out of fear of one they dislike even more being successful.
o Under FPTP any votes cast for the candidate who is not successful are simply ignored.
o STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, reducing wasted votes and empowering voters to express nuanced preferences.
3. Encouraging Positive Campaigning:
o FPTP can encourage negative campaigning as parties focus on winning narrow pluralities.
o STV incentivizes positive campaigning, as candidates must seek not only first-choice votes but also second and third preferences from a broader electorate.
4. Successful Implementation Elsewhere:
o STV is already successfully used in several other democracies and in various elections within the United Kingdom, such as the Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections in Scotland.
Proposal:
1. This Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government requesting that legislation be passed to allow the trial of STV in the 2027 local elections noting that BCP Council would be happy to pilot STV.
Comprehensive debate took place on the motion with members speaking both for and against the proposal to trial an alternative Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
RESOLVED that: -
this Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government requesting that legislation be passed to allow the trial of STV in the 2027 local elections noting that BCP Council would be happy to pilot STV.
Voting: For:30, Against:19, Abstentions 4
Councillor George Farquhar requested his vote against the motion be recorded.
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Philip Broadhead and seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams.
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 in the BCP Council area alone could see 75,627 pensioners lose their fuel allowance, and which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners across the UK 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 the BCP Council area 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 the BCP Council region 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:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.
(d) Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are supported in claiming their entitlement.
Councillor Richard Herrett proposed the following amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor Martin and sought to add an additional point to the beginning of the notes section which read: -
‘the extremely difficult financial position that local and national government has been left in due to the recklessness of previous Conservativeadministrations’
With the remaining wording staying the same so that the notes section read:-
Council Notes: •
· The extremely difficult financial position that local and national government has been left in due to the recklessness of previous Conservative administrations
· 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 in the BCP Councilarea alone could see 75,627 pensioners lose their fuel allowance, and which Age UK says will mean 2 millionpensioners across the UK who badly need the money to staywarm this winter will not receive it.•
· The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helpingolder residents of the BCP Council area and across the UKafford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.•
· The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and othercharities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health
· 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 debated the amendment, following which the proposed amendment was put to the vote and carried with voting:
For:24, Against:14, Abstentions:13
Following further debate an amendment was proposed by Councillor Philip Broadhead and seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams which sought to remove the notes section from the motion.
The amendment to remove the notes section from the motion was put to the vote and lost with voting:
For:21, Against:23, Abstentions:6.
A proposal was made in accordance with the Constitution by the proposer and seconder of the original motion Councillors Philip Broadhead and Cameron Adams that the motion be withdrawn.
Upon being put to the vote the proposal to withdraw the motion was lost with voting: For:18 Against:25, Abstentions:7
The substantive motion as amended was then discussed and following further debate the following amendment was proposed by Councillor Joe Salmon and seconded by Councillor Sara Armstrong: -
After “Council resolves to…”, delete points (a) and (d). Replace point (a) with:
So that the Council resolutions section of the motion be amended to read: -
Council resolves to:
(a)
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.
(a) Request that before the application deadline of 21 December 2024, the relevant Portfolio Holder and Director send an appropriate, targeted, direct communication to all BCP residents over the age of 65 who are in receipt of Council Tax Support or other means tested benefits of which the local authority is aware, advising them of the changes to the winter fuel allowance and providing them with information as to how to check their eligibility and, if eligible, apply for pension credit in order to retain the fuel allowance.
(b) 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.
(c) Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.
(d)
Encourage local efforts to
promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and
partnerships with local charities and community organisations to
ensure that all eligible pensioners across Bournemouth,
Christchurch and Poole are supported in claiming their
entitlement.
Following comprehensive discussion the amendment was put to the vote and fell with voting:
For:3, Against:44 , Abstentions:3
The substantive motion was then discussed and voted on as set out below.
Council Notes: -
· The extremely difficult financial position that local and national government has been left in due to the recklessness of previousConservative administrations
· 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 in the BCP Councilarea alone could see 75,627 pensioners lose their fuel allowance, and which Age UK says will mean 2 millionpensioners across the UK who badly need the money to staywarm this winter will not receive it.•
· The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helpingolder residents of the BCP Council area and across the UKafford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.•
· The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and othercharities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health
· 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 the BCP Council region 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:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.
(d) Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are supported in claiming their entitlement.
Voting: For:37, Against:0, Abstentions:15