Agenda item

To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors R. Williams, S. Emanuel, L. Addiscott, M. D. Ashford, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, G. Caple, J. Cook, A. Crimmings, S. J. Davies, R. Davis, A. J. Dennis, V. Dunn, E. L. Dunning, J. Edwards, J. A. Elliott, L. Ellis, R. Evans, A. S. Fox, B. Harris, S. Hickman, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, W. Hughes, G. Jones, G. O. Jones, R. R. Lewis, W. Lewis, C. Leyshon, M. Maohoub, C. Middle, A. Morgan, N. H. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, D. Parkin, S. Powderhill, C. Preedy, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Smith, G. Stacey, L. A. Tomkinson, W. Treeby, J. Turner, G. L. Warren, K. Webb, M. Webber, D. Williams, G. E. Williams, T. Williams, R. Yeo.

Whilst it was not obvious from an initial reading of the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement, the UK Government has confirmed that their review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses and non-domestic customers will not extend beyond March 2023.

As yet, the Westminster Government has not announced whether a substitute scheme will be implemented, or indeed what form of support this would provide.  This is naturally problematic to many businesses and public organisations.

This cessation of energy support will mean most funding for public services will need to go straight back in to paying significant energy bill increases for leisure centres, community centres and potentially other public buildings. Here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Council is facing a 355% hike in energy costs.  Until an announcement is made, public organisations will have no clarity and not be able to plan for future budget pressures.

The UK government has rightly committed to uprate benefits (with the notable exception of local housing allowance). But by starving communities of the funding they need to keep the lights on in vital community buildings, this is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

We urge the UK Government to reconsider their unclear policy of public sector energy support beyond March 2023.

On top of this, the Government has announced a cut in the support available to households in fuel poverty next winter.

While the Energy Price Guarantee will continue to cap the unit cost of energy, all energy bills will increase from 1 April 2023 – at the same time as the Energy Bills Support Scheme finishes.

This Council notes:

• That the removal of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for Councils and public sector organisations will cause significant financial hardship at a time when a number of other factors are contributing to unprecedented budget challenges.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·       Ask that the Council Leader writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister.

·       Calls on the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on its plans to implement a scheme to offer public sector energy relief beyond March 2023.

·       Calls on the Westminster Government to go further to help the millions of homes in fuel poverty throughout 2023.

To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough CouncillorsR. Williams, S. Emanuel, L. Addiscott, M. D. Ashford, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, G. Caple, J. Cook, A. Crimmings, S. J. Davies, R. Davis, A. J. Dennis, V. Dunn, E. L. Dunning, J. Edwards, J. A. Elliott, L. Ellis, R. Evans, A. S. Fox, B. Harris, S. Hickman, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, W. Hughes, G. Jones, G. O. Jones, R. R. Lewis, W. Lewis, C. Leyshon, M. Maohoub, C. Middle, A. Morgan, N. H. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, D. Parkin, S. Powderhill, C. Preedy, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Smith, G. Stacey, L. A. Tomkinson, W. Treeby, J. Turner, G. L. Warren, K. Webb, M. Webber, D. Williams, G. E. Williams, T. Williams, R. Yeo.

Whilst it was not obvious from an initial reading of the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement, the UK Government has confirmed that their review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses and non-domestic customers will not extend beyond March 2023.

As yet, the Westminster Government has not announced whether a substitute scheme will be implemented, or indeed what form of support this would provide.  This is naturally problematic to many businesses and public organisations.

This cessation of energy support will mean most funding for public services will need to go straight back in to paying significant energy bill increases for leisure centres, community centres and potentially other public buildings. Here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Council is facing a 355% hike in energy costs.  Until an announcement is made, public organisations will have no clarity and not be able to plan for future budget pressures.

The UK government has rightly committed to uprate benefits (with the notable exception of local housing allowance). But by starving communities of the funding they need to keep the lights on in vital community buildings, this is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

We urge the UK Government to reconsider their unclear policy of public sector energy support beyond March 2023.

On top of this, the Government has announced a cut in the support available to households in fuel poverty next winter.

While the Energy Price Guarantee will continue to cap the unit cost of energy, all energy bills will increase from 1 April 2023 – at the same time as the Energy Bills Support Scheme finishes.

This Council notes:

• That the removal of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for Councils and public sector organisations will cause significant financial hardship at a time when a number of other factors are contributing to unprecedented budget challenges.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·       Ask that the Council Leader writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister.

·       Calls on the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on its plans to implement a scheme to offer public sector energy relief beyond March 2023.

·       Calls on the Westminster Government to go further to help the millions of homes in fuel poverty throughout 2023.

At the meeting the Chair announced that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.4.1 the following amendment to the Notice of Motion had been received from County Borough Councillors K Morgan, D Grehan, S Evans, A Rogers, A Ellis, H Gronow, D Wood and P Evans.

The amended motion read:

Whilst it was not obvious from an initial reading of the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement, the UK Government has confirmed that their review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses and non-domestic customers will not extend beyond March 2023.

As yet, the Westminster Government has not announced whether a substitute scheme will be implemented, or indeed what form of support this would provide.  This is naturally problematic to many businesses and public organisations.

This cessation of energy support will mean most funding for public services will need to go straight back in to paying significant energy bill increases for leisure centres, community centres and potentially other public buildings. Here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Council is facing a 355% hike in energy costs.  Until an announcement is made, public organisations will have no clarity and not be able to plan for future budget pressures.

The UK government has rightly committed to uprate benefits (with the notable exception of local housing allowance). But by starving communities of the funding they need to keep the lights on in vital community buildings, this is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

We urge the UK Government to reconsider their unclear policy of public sector energy support beyond March 2023.

On top of this, the Government has announced a cut in the support available to households in fuel poverty next winter.

While the Energy Price Guarantee will continue to cap the unit cost of energy, all energy bills will increase from 1 April 2023 – at the same time as the Energy Bills Support Scheme finishes.

This Council notes:

• That the removal of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for Councils and public sector organisations will cause significant financial hardship at a time when a number of other factors are contributing to unprecedented budget challenges.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·       Ask that the Council Leader writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister.

·       Calls on the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on its plans to implement a scheme to offer public sector energy relief beyond March 2023.

·       Calls on the Westminster Government to go further to help the millions of homes in fuel poverty throughout 2023.

·       Ask that the Council Leader also writes regarding this matter to the Members of Parliament for RCT who are elected to represent us at Westminster.

In accordance with the Council’s Rules of Procedure 12.7, a vote was taken following a roll call in respect of the amendment to the Notice of Motion and it was RESOLVED not to adopt the amendment.

(Note: the following Councillors requested that their names be recorded as having voted in favour of the amendment:

County Borough Councillors Sera Evans, D Grehan, H Gronow, K Morgan, A Rogers and D Wood).

Following discussion in respect of the substantive motion and in accordance with the Council Rules of Procedure 12.7, it was RESOLVED to adopt the substantive motion.

(Note: the following Councillors requested that their names be recorded as having voted in favour of the substantive motion:

County Borough Councillors M Maohoub, Sera Evans, D Grehan, H Gronow, K Morgan, A Rogers and D Wood).