1. Motion 600 (Cllr James Buczkowski- 23rd October 2023)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
Motion on the Poverty Premium
This council notes that:
· Lower income households are affected by the ‘poverty premium’ by being forced to pay more than those on higher incomes to use essential services such as energy, credit and insurance.
· Expert assessment indicates 23% of Households in the Tiverton and Honiton Constituency and 20% of Households in the Central Devon Constituency are being penalised by this - costing local residents in the two constituencies £7.2 million a year to simply do the same basic things as those on higher incomes.
· On average the poverty premium costs those households affected around £400 a year: equivalent to three weeks of food bills for a family of four.
· Lack of government action to properly regulate the commercial practices of national and international companies is the primary cause of these costs.
· Access to local banking and insurance services has significantly worsened in recent times.
This council:
· Opposes this as a penalty for lower income households which exacerbates the difficulties of those managing on low incomes.
· Condemns the government for doing too little to tackle the poverty premium.
· Believes that tackling the poverty premium is an essential part of levelling up.
· Calls upon the Government to act urgently to address these additional costs to our lowest income residents.
Therefore, the council resolves to:
· Endorse the Fair By Design Roadmap for tackling the Poverty Premium (Attached)
· Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the relevant government minister demanding:
- Urgent action to tackle all forms of poverty premium including those imposed by energy suppliers, insurers, credit sources, banks and other bodies.
- A broadening of the Financial Conduct Authority regulation of credit costs to cover those not currently covered.
- A partnership between the relevant regulators to tackle all forms of poverty premium.
- Beyond immediate action, an inquiry into the scourge of the poverty premium and a strategy to prevent recurrence.
· Take action locally by:
- Taking a lead on creating a Vulnerable Citizens Strategy, which should include making sure people on low incomes don’t end up paying more for their essential services and products.
- Investigating local mechanisms for reducing the poverty premium caused by financial services, for example working with ATM providers and exploring local alternative Insurance, credit and banking options including the merits of a community mutual bank.
- Working with other local agencies, community groups and charities to promote take up of available benefits and grants.
- Encouraging local business to commit to Poverty Premium Proofing.
- Working with social and private landlords in Mid Devon to ensure every tenant is automatically placed on the cheapest energy tariff for their needs, minimising the cost of moving into a social housing home and that tenants are provided poverty premium avoidance advice and support.
- Working with other local employers to support low-income employees to avoid the Poverty Premium.
- Working across the Council to identify further measures it can take.
Further Reading and Supporting Information
Mapping the poverty premium in Britain (bristol.ac.uk)
Ending the poverty premium – Fair By Design
(In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.)
2. Motion 601 (Cllr Mark Jenkins- 6th November 2023)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
Motion: Conflict in Gaza: call for a ceasefire and community safety for religious and ethnic minorities in Mid Devon.
This Council
· Expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in the Mid Devon area who have been affected by this conflict we offer our support in this difficult time.
· Calls on the UK government to do everything possible to encourage an immediate further release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire to allow more medical aid and essential supplies into Gaza; and the possibility of a peaceful long term resolution.
· Believes Muslims, Jews and people of all faiths and none should feel safe and supported throughout the world and condemns the increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK.
· Condemns the use of all dehumanising language and calls on our communities to treat each other with respect and refrain from inflammatory terms to describe either the Palestinian or Israeli populations, especially in a time of crisis.
The Council resolves to fly the UN flag as a symbol of peace outside Phoenix House until a ceasefire is agreed.
(In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.)
Minutes:
Motion 600 (Cllr James Buczkowski- 23rd October 2023)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
Motion on the Poverty Premium
This council notes that:
· Lower income households are affected by the ‘poverty premium’ by being forced to pay more than those on higher incomes to use essential services such as energy, credit and insurance.
· Expert assessment indicates 23% of Households in the Tiverton and Honiton Constituency and 20% of Households in the Central Devon Constituency are being penalised by this - costing local residents in the two constituencies £7.2 million a year to simply do the same basic things as those on higher incomes.
· On average the poverty premium costs those households affected around £400 a year: equivalent to three weeks of food bills for a family of four.
· Lack of government action to properly regulate the commercial practices of national and international companies is the primary cause of these costs.
· Access to local banking and insurance services has significantly worsened in recent times.
This council:
· Opposes this as a penalty for lower income households which exacerbates the difficulties of those managing on low incomes.
· Condemns the government for doing too little to tackle the poverty premium.
· Believes that tackling the poverty premium is an essential part of levelling up.
· Calls upon the Government to act urgently to address these additional costs to our lowest income residents.
Therefore, the council resolves to:
· Endorse the Fair By Design Roadmap for tackling the Poverty Premium (Attached)
· Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the relevant government minister demanding:
· Urgent action to tackle all forms of poverty premium including those imposed by energy suppliers, insurers, credit sources, banks and other bodies.
· A broadening of the Financial Conduct Authority regulation of credit costs to cover those not currently covered.
· A partnership between the relevant regulators to tackle all forms of poverty premium.
· Beyond immediate action, an inquiry into the scourge of the poverty premium and a strategy to prevent recurrence.
Take action locally by:
· Taking a lead on creating a Vulnerable Citizens Strategy, which should include making sure people on low incomes don’t end up paying more for their essential services and products.
· Investigating local mechanisms for reducing the poverty premium caused by financial services, for example working with ATM providers and exploring local alternative Insurance, credit and banking options including the merits of a community mutual bank.
· Working with other local agencies, community groups and charities to promote take up of available benefits and grants.
· Encouraging local business to commit to Poverty Premium Proofing.
· Working with social and private landlords in Mid Devon to ensure every tenant is automatically placed on the cheapest energy tariff for their needs, minimising the cost of moving into a social housing home and that tenants are provided poverty premium avoidance advice and support.
· Working with other local employers to support low-income employees to avoid the Poverty Premium.
· Working across the Council to identify further measures it can take.
(In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.)
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor J Buczkowski seconded by Councillor R Gilmour.
Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors P Colthorpe and R Roberts.
Motion 601 (Cllr Mark Jenkins- 6th November 2023)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
Motion: Conflict in Gaza: call for a ceasefire and community safety for religious and ethnic minorities in Mid Devon.
This Council
· Expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in the Mid Devon area who have been affected by this conflict we offer our support in this difficult time.
· Calls on the UK government to do everything possible to encourage an immediate further release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire to allow more medical aid and essential supplies into Gaza; and the possibility of a peaceful long term resolution.
· Believes Muslims, Jews and people of all faiths and none should feel safe and supported throughout the world and condemns the increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK.
· Condemns the use of all dehumanising language and calls on our communities to treat each other with respect and refrain from inflammatory terms to describe either the Palestinian or Israeli populations, especially in a time of crisis.
The Council resolves to fly the UN flag as a symbol of peace outside Phoenix House until a ceasefire is agreed.
(In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.)
Consideration was given to:
· Remove from the motion, the Council resolves to fly the UN flag as a symbol of peace outside Phoenix House until a ceasefire is agreed.
· In addition to Palestinians in Gaza what about the Ukraine Citizens under legal occupation of Purton Russian, Muslins in China or women in Afghanistan. The world is not a safe or fair place and sympathise with those in difficulties and residents of our District deserve our undivided attention and support first.
· To add to the pressure for a ceasefire and in order humanitarian can meet and encourage political conversation and lead to lasting sensations of hostilities, motions like this had been to other councils.
· The motion conflicts and should not discriminate on faith, race or disability.
Cllr M Jenkins MOVED an AMENDMENT seconded by Cllr J Lock that:
To remove from the motion, the Council resolves to fly the UN flag as a symbol of peace outside Phoenix House until a ceasefire is agreed.
Upon a vote being taken, the AMENDMENT was declared to have CARRIED.
Those AGAINST from voting: Councillors L Cruwys and R Roberts.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors P Colthorpe.
Cllr N Letch MOVED an AMENDMENT seconded by Cllr Poynton that:
At the beginning of motion to have the council condensed their atrocity committed by Hamas in Israel.
Upon a vote being taken, the AMENDMENT was declared to have FAILED
Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED
Those AGAINST from voting: Councillors N Letch and J Poynton.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Cllr L Cruwys, Cllr P Colthorpe.