Issue - meetings

Motion One.  Proposed by Cllr. Ron Tindall

1. This motion calls upon the Council to address the present Cost of Living Crisis which is a complex problem which may be with us for some years.  The Ofgem energy price cap has risen by 54%, the pension’s triple lock has been suspended, and food and petrol price rises have contributed to the highest levels of inflation for nearly 30 years.

2. Whilst the opportunities for action at local level are limited, it is important this council does what it can to ease the pressures on our residents.  Therefore, this Council resolves as a matter of urgency to

a.         instruct officers to look at and improve the current support mechanisms available to residents,

b.         arrange discussions with all concerned organisations across Dacorum including food banks and the voluntary sector, and 

c.         initiate discussions with Council Tax Preceptors regarding 2023/2024

With the purpose of enabling proposals to be brought forward in a timely manner to provide assistance and support for those most in need in our communities.

Cllr Williams proposed an alternative motion, which was accepted by Cllr Tindall.

Alternative Motion :

1            This motion calls upon the Council to recognise the present cost of living crisis which is likely to be with us for some years causing challenges for many in our community. The Ofgem price cap has risen by 54%, the pension’s triple lock has been suspended and food and fuel price rises have contributed to the highest level of inflation for nearly 30 years.

2          The Council welcomes the 37 Billion pounds of support the government has already committed to help families through the crisis but recognises that many will require more support whilst the opportunities for action at local level are limited it is important that we do what we can. Therefore this council resolves to

a.         Work with the Community and Voluntary sector partners to hold a Cost of Living Symposium to fully understand the extent of local issues and discuss potential solution

b.         Instruct officers to review current support mechanisms available to residents following the symposium.

c.         Work county-wide to ensure that collectively we ensure that we maximise the support available.

With the purpose of enabling proposals to be brought forward in a timely manner to provide assistance and support for those most in need in our communities.

The alternative motion was put  to a vote.

The Council voted unanimously in favour of this alternative Motion proposed by Cllr Williams.

Motion Two.  Proposed by Cllr., Garrick Stevens

1. While acknowledging that home ownership is an aspiration for many, this Council also recognises that many in the community will, for various reasons, be unable or unwilling to be other than a lifetime tenant of a Registered Social Landlord [‘RSL or Housing Assn’].

In this Borough approximately 5,000 dwellings are owned by RSLs and they make a vital contribution to the provision of affordable housing in the rental sector.

2. The Government has made a proposal to introduce the  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1

Cllr Tindall: Could I thank the leader of the council for presenting an amendment which we have accepted, and, therefore, what is before you is an amended motion going forward on the subject of the cost of living. I understand the text is going to be put up on the screen but if you would like me to read it out?

Mayor: I'm instructed, Cllr Tindall, that you must move your original motion first.

Cllr Tindall: I've accepted the amendment and we have accepted the amendment in its entirety, and Cllr Williams is going to second the amended motion, so, therefore, there is no need to go through the rigmarole, as it were.

Mayor: I think the officer agrees with you.

Cllr Tindall: Thank you. Right, yes, it just saves time and everybody's energy on these warm evenings. Can I say, as I said before, I thank the leader of the council for proposing his amendment which we've taken in its entity and so this motion is a motion that I hope the whole council can agree. It is presented to the council without prescription or time limit so the Dacorum can come together to support those in our communities who are affected by the cost of living crisis. I do not intend to do anything to setting out the facts at present and urge the whole council to support this motion and the future work that will derive from it. There is a cost of living crisis and there is no doubt that it is likely to continue for some time, possibly two, three or more years. Further, we have no way of knowing when external factors such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine or further pandemic pressures will end. It is for that reason that this motion calls upon the officers to look at and improve Dacorum's present support systems that are available to help vulnerable residents including making available availability to such support easier to those in need. We're also looking to ensure that we're able to support our communities into the future. So, the motion also calls for an action to bring together all those involved so that the support given is co-ordinated, gets to those in need and our efforts are not wasted. It may be that we have to ensure that our local organisations are supported themselves so they can reach out to the communities in need. I know that the council presently works well with those local organisations but let us ensure that everything we are doing and could do is structured and gets to the target.

The third point concerns the burden of taxation on those who can least afford it and looks at the medium-term. There is no news of the cost of living crisis easing. Indeed, the available information suggests that interest rates will continue to rise next month, therefore, the motion asks that this council has discussions with The County Council-, I'll leave that bit out because the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5