An unwillingness by Wealden District Councillor’s Leftist Coalition to send a short coherent and punchy message to government, stating the local impact of removing winter fuel payments, leaves Wealden pensioners in the cold.
Following a two-hour-long discussion over a focussed motion put forward by independent Cllr Andrew Wilson, seconded by Conservative Cllr Ann Newton calling on the Labour Government to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments to Wealden’s 35,000 pensioners not in receipt, or eligible for Pension Credit, a compromise was finally reached.
The inept attempt by the Green/Lab/Lib coalition to hijack the motion for political purposes was a clear effort to divert attention and avoid embarrassing their Labour coalition colleagues; more redolent of a second-rate student's union than a local authority. Unable to understand that sometimes less is more, their convoluted amendment to the Motion, which ran to two sides of A4 (more of an essay than an amendment), added further demands and caveats serving only to dilute the argument.
Numerous councillors stressed the urgency of the situation to no avail! Conservative Cllr Upton’s solution to write separate letters focussing on the additions, was ignored. Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Ann Newton, expressed her disappointment that political point scoring seemed more important than pensioners well-being.
However, the final Motion, a letter to be sent to the Chancellor demanding the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Allowance includes funding for retro-fitting of insulation. Whilst the compromise does at least send Whitehall the message that Wealden pensioners are suffering, its impact will be somewhat weakened.
Support for local pensioners is a top priority for Conservative councillors and they will continue their efforts to support them in every way they can.
Cllr Andrew Wilson Proposes:
https://youtu.be/NWs64Od99kQ?feature=shared
Cllr Ann Newton Seconds:
https://youtu.be/yc-J6qBFToc?feature=shared
Cllr Andrew Wilson condemns Green/Lab/Lib Wrecking Amendment:
https://youtu.be/9ZSMNNNwXSM?feature=shared
Cllr Ann Newton on the second amendment:
