Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a relief Chair.

1.1          Motion moved by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Councillor Paul Swaddle, that Councillor Louise Hyams be elected as Relief Chair.

1.2          Motion put, and on a show of hands, declared CARRIED.

To sign the Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 15 May 2024.

2.1      The minutes of the proceedings at the Council meeting held on Wednesday 15 May 2024 were, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as a true record of the proceedings.

To receive the Lord Mayor’s communications.

3.1      The Lord Mayor referred to these as set out in the papers.

4.1      There were no declarations of interest.

5.1      There were no urgent matters.

(a)        Councillor Sara Hassan to present a petition calling on the Council to Pedestrianise the portion of Formosa Street between Castellain Road and Warrington Crescent.

(b)        Any other Councillor presented Petitions or Deputations.

6.1      Councillor Sara Hassan presented a petition from a local resident requesting that the Council pedestrianise the portion of Formosa Street between Castellain Road and Warrington Crescent. The petition was referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality.

6.2      Councillor Paul Swaddle presented a petition calling on the Council to hold the Mayor of London to account, to implement pedicab licensing, following the passing of the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024 early this year. The petition was referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection.

The Lord Mayor will invite members of the public who have been chosen to present their question or petition. After which the relevant Cabinet Member or Committee Chair will respond.

7.1      Members of the public presented a petition and asked five questions which were responded to by the relevant Cabinet Members. The questions and responses are available on the Council’s website.

The Lord Mayor will call Members who have indicated that they wish to ask a question after the Leader of the Opposition has asked their questions.

8.1      The questions, supplementary questions and replies are included as a recording on the Council’s website.

Councillor Shamsed Chowdhury – ‘Issues with Illegal Short-Term Lets’

9.1      Issues with Illegal Short-Term Lets

Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury spoke, and Councillor Matt Noble replied.

10.1    The Majority Party selected to debate the topic of ‘A New Vision for Biodiversity and Greening in Westminster’. The debate would be referred to the relevant Executive Director for consideration when reporting on the subject.

10.2    The Opposition Party selected to debate the topic of ‘Ensuring Sustainable and Safe Dockless Bike and Scooter Hire Operations in Westminster’. The debate would be referred to the relevant Executive Director for consideration when reporting on the subject.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains recommendations to the Council for approval and adoption.

11.1     The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

RESOLVED:

1)               That Full Council agreed to revoke the WAES Instrument and Articles of Government dated 1 April 2010 and the WAES Scheme of Financial Management dated March 2010.

2)         That Full Council approved the updated Instrument of Governance as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

3)         That Full Council approved the amendment to Chapter 6 of the Constitution (Scheme of Delegation to Officers) set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains a recommendation to the Council for approval.

12.1    The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the Audit and Performance Committee report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

RESOLVED:

           That Full Council noted the report.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains a recommendation to the Council for approval and adoption.

13.1    The Lord Mayor put the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council adopted the Policy on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for Councillors and that the implementation of the checks be reviewed in Autumn 2025.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains a recommendation to the Council for approval.

14.1    The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the Standards Committee report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council noted the Biennial Standards Committee report as set out in Appendix A of the report.

Opposition Party Motion – Winter Fuel Allowance and Protecting Pensioners from Fuel Poverty

To be moved by Councillor Lorraine Dean and seconded by Councillor Tim Mitchell.

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, potentially impacting 25,793 pensioners in Westminster.

•         The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners 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 Westminster during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

•         The criticism from Age UK 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 pensioners across Westminster 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:

•         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.

•         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 in Westminster are supported in claiming their entitlement.

•         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.

•         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.

Winter Fuel Allowance and Protecting Pensioners from Fuel Poverty

15.1    The Opposition Party had selected for debate the notice of motion as set out on the agenda. The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Lorraine Dean and seconded by Councillor Tim Mitchell.

15.2    Councillor Paul Swaddle raised a point of order that in the Opposition Party’s opinion under section 2.15 of the Council Meeting Procedure rules the amendment moved by Cllr Hug contravened Standing Order 2.13, paragraph 5c insofar as it directly negated the original motion. Having taken advice from the Chief Executive and the Director of Law, the Lord Mayor determined that the amendment retained both the focus and the spirit of the motion in terms of content, even if its actions were amended to require the council to take a different course. It therefore did not constitute a direct negation of the original motion and the request was therefore rejected.

15.3    Councillor Adam Hug moved and it was seconded by Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis that the notice of motion be amended, as follows:

Winter Fuel Allowance andpProtecting Pensioners from Fuel Poverty

           Council Notes:

•         The Labour Government’s recent decision to means-test restrict the Winter Fuel Payments to only pensioners in receipt of means tested benefits like on the basis of Pension Credit., as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, potentially impacting 25,793 pensioners in Westminster.

•        The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners 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 Westminster during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

•                     The criticism from Age UK and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

•                     The That many 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.

•                    That Westminster City Council has already delivered a great many initiatives to support older residents and protect pensioners from fuel poverty.

•                    That of the 4,200 disabled households in Westminster that received direct help from the current Household Support Fund over the summer c. 1,500 were households with older people.

•                    That Westminster City Council have also ensured continued support to Age UK, since January 2023, via the Council’s own funds by funding increased Advice Provision and funding Outreach Visits.

•                    That the Council’s Winter in the City Offer has successfully supported Westminster residents through the last 2 winters. In the Winter of 2022, approximately 32% for those we supported were aged 60 and older. In Winter 2023, the highest recipients of warm meals and activities were those 60 and older.

•                    That it is estimated that 413 households receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support may be eligible for Pension Credit but are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.