Agenda item

Notice of Motion Regarding "Supporting Residents Through The Cost-Of-Living Crisis" - Given By Councillor Terry Fox and To Be Seconded By Councillor Julie Grocutt

That this Council:-

 

(a)      believes that that there can be no doubt that we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, with surges in fuel, energy and food prices and with inflation running at a 30-year high;

 

(b)      believes that the cost of living crisis is the single biggest issue, and most immediate concern, for most people across the UK;

 

(c)      notes that, whilst global shocks and the war in Ukraine have of course had an impact, a decade of low growth under Conservative-led governments has left the economy weakened and unable to deal with shocks;

 

(d)      believes the Government’s response has been woeful and further highlights how out of touch they are, and that rather than getting to grips with the serious issues facing our country they instead are preoccupied with waging unnecessary culture wars;

 

(e)      believes there is much the Government needs to be doing, and one need only look to governments across Europe to see what can be done to help households against a sharp rise in energy bills, and yet here in the UK the Government’s spring statement offered nothing to those who really need it;

 

(f)       believes, therefore, that the Government should take heed of the Labour Party’s call for an emergency budget and supports the following activity:-

 

(i)       a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, which would save household bills by up to £600 (helping mitigate the Government’s National Insurance rise);

 

(ii)       a discount on business rates for small and medium sized businesses;

 

(iii)      a "rapid ramp-up" of installing insulation into homes across the country to save on energy bills;

 

(iv)      an investigation by the National Crime Agency into taxpayer money lost through fraud; and

 

(v)      reversing the £20 per week cut to Universal Credit;

 

(g)      believes that whilst the Government is spectacularly failing to help families, members of the previous Council administration have, over the course of the last year, been working to ensure the Council is doing everything it can to support residents through the cost of living crisis;

 

(h)      notes that at an organisational level, Sheffield City Council are treating the cost of living crisis with the same resolve as it did for the pandemic;

 

(i)       notes that, just like in the pandemic, the Leader of the Council established a Gold Command Executive Management Team, and is ensuring that every effort is being made to review what the Council is doing in response to the difficulties facing our communities;

 

(j)       notes that Sheffield City Council and partners have put together a Sheffield Money Support website to provide a single point of access for residents;

 

(k)      believes that our Council should act as a point of call for those in need, and reaffirms support for the forthcoming rollout of a Financial Support Access Plan – so Sheffielders can be best advised where to go for the right financial support, suited to their circumstances;

 

(l)       notes that due to the approval of the budget amendment proposed by the Labour Group in March 2022, which secured £3.5 million for sustainable local energy, the Council is increasing ways to get energy bills down, through installing renewable energy on our estate; such as schools, libraries, community centres and council homes;

 

(m)     notes that under the previous Administration’s Housing Revenue Account, the Council is retrofitting 6,000 homes with new roofs, and 2,000 homes will benefit from boiler replacements, as well as ensuring that all council homes are to at least EPC C (Energy Performance Level C) – making homes warmer and reducing bills;

 

(n)      further notes that the approved amendment to the budget, proposed by the Labour Group, put extra resources into supporting neighbourhoods, and focused extra support on those who will be the most hardest hit, including further support for the Food Access Plan;

 

(o)      believes that this resolve to tackle this crisis must carry on throughout the new committee system, and calls on every Policy Committee to ensure that the cost of living crisis is a key priority in their work plans, and that all financial decisions must consider what impact they will be having on the crisis; and

 

(p)      notes that the Leader of the Council has already begun convening a strategic conversation with partners and stakeholders (including the voluntary and community sector, public sector partners, utility companies and MPs) to maximise our collective effort around responding to the crisis.

 

 

Minutes:

6.1

It was moved by Councillor Terry Fox, and seconded by Councillor Julie Grocutt, that this Council:-

 

 

 

(a)      believes that there can be no doubt that we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, with surges in fuel, energy and food prices and with inflation running at a 30-year high;

 

 

 

(b)      believes that the cost of living crisis is the single biggest issue, and most immediate concern, for most people across the UK;

 

 

 

(c)      notes that, whilst global shocks and the war in Ukraine have of course had an impact, a decade of low growth under Conservative-led governments has left the economy weakened and unable to deal with shocks;

 

 

 

(d)      believes the Government’s response has been woeful and further highlights how out of touch they are, and that rather than getting to grips with the serious issues facing our country they instead are preoccupied with waging unnecessary culture wars;

 

 

 

(e)      believes there is much the Government needs to be doing, and one need only look to governments across Europe to see what can be done to help households against a sharp rise in energy bills, and yet here in the UK the Government’s spring statement offered nothing to those who really need it;

 

 

 

(f)       believes, therefore, that the Government should take heed of the Labour Party’s call for an emergency budget and supports the following activity:-

 

 

 

(i)       a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, which would save household bills by up to £600 (helping mitigate the Government’s National Insurance rise);

 

 

 

(ii)       a discount on business rates for small and medium sized businesses;

 

 

 

(iii)      a "rapid ramp-up" of installing insulation into homes across the country to save on energy bills;

 

 

 

(iv)      an investigation by the National Crime Agency into taxpayer money lost through fraud; and

 

 

 

(v)      reversing the £20 per week cut to Universal Credit;

 

 

 

(g)      believes that whilst the Government is spectacularly failing to help families, members of the previous Council administration have, over the course of the last year, been working to ensure the Council is doing everything it can to support residents through the cost of living crisis;

 

 

 

(h)      notes that at an organisational level, Sheffield City Council are treating the cost of living crisis with the same resolve as it did for the pandemic;

 

 

 

(i)       notes that, just like in the pandemic, the Leader of the Council established a Gold Command Executive Management Team, and is ensuring that every effort is being made to review what the Council is doing in response to the difficulties facing our communities;

 

 

 

(j)       notes that Sheffield City Council and partners have put together a Sheffield Money Support website to provide a single point of access for residents;

 

 

 

(k)      believes that our Council should act as a point of call for those in need, and reaffirms support for the forthcoming rollout of a Financial Support Access Plan – so Sheffielders can be best advised where to go for the right financial support, suited to their circumstances;

 

 

 

(l)       notes that due to the approval of the budget amendment proposed by the Labour Group in March 2022, which secured £3.5 million for sustainable local energy, the Council is increasing ways to get energy bills down, through installing renewable energy on our estate; such as schools, libraries, community centres and council homes;

 

 

 

(m)     notes that under the previous Administration’s Housing Revenue Account, the Council is retrofitting 6,000 homes with new roofs, and 2,000 homes will benefit from boiler replacements, as well as ensuring that all council homes are to at least EPC C (Energy Performance Level C) – making homes warmer and reducing bills;

 

 

 

(n)      further notes that the approved amendment to the budget, proposed by the Labour Group, put extra resources into supporting neighbourhoods, and focused extra support on those who will be the most hardest hit, including further support for the Food Access Plan;

 

 

 

(o)      believes that this resolve to tackle this crisis must carry on throughout the new committee system, and calls on every Policy Committee to ensure that the cost of living crisis is a key priority in their work plans, and that all financial decisions must consider what impact they will be having on the crisis; and

 

 

 

(p)      notes that the Leader of the Council has already begun convening a strategic conversation with partners and stakeholders (including the voluntary and community sector, public sector partners, utility companies and MPs) to maximise our collective effort around responding to the crisis.

 

 

6.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, and seconded by Councillor Joe Otten, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

 

 

 

1.       the deletion of paragraph (c) and the addition of a new paragraph (c) as follows:-

 

 

 

(c)      believes that the causes of the cost of living crisis include:-

 

 

 

(i)       various global supply chain problems with various causes;

 

 

 

(ii)       labour market changes resulting from the pandemic;

 

 

 

(iii)      weak economic growth and a weak pound following the Brexit referendum;

 

 

 

(iv)      Government Brexit policies that have created barriers to trade with our trading partners, including additional red tape and delays in the movement of goods;

 

 

 

(v)      the war in Ukraine affecting energy and grain supplies;

 

 

 

(vi)      low investment in fossil fuel extraction since the price low of 2017, without sufficient investment in nuclear and renewables to compensate;

 

 

 

(vii)     an energy price cap system that rolls the costs of failed energy intermediaries into the standing charge, hitting the poorest the hardest; and

 

 

 

(viii)    a lack of government action on cost of living;

 

 

 

2.       the deletion of paragraphs (f) to (p) and the addition of new paragraphs (f) to (o) as follows:-

 

 

 

(f)       welcomes the Government’s belated agreement to a windfall tax on energy producers, previously called for by the Liberal Democrat Party last October and then by the Labour Party in January, as part of a package of measures to help with the cost of living crisis, but believes that this should include, additionally:-

 

 

 

(i)       taking £300 off struggling families’ heating bills immediately by doubling and expanding the Warm Home Discount;

 

 

 

(ii)       scrapping the National Insurance tax hike introduced by the Government in April;

 

 

 

(iii)      ending the unfair freeze of the Income Tax personal allowance, which is a stealth tax falling disproportionately on low earners;

 

 

 

(iv)      protecting pensioners from rising prices, including the 1.5 million low-income people on pension credit, by uprating pensions in line with the Bank of England’s inflation forecast;

 

 

 

(v)      reinstating the £1,000 boost to Universal Credit, to ensure that the most vulnerable households get proper support;

 

 

 

(vi)      supporting low-income households on Universal Credit with rising mortgage costs by returning the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme to its pre-2018 format – turning it from an interest-bearing loan to a benefit payment; and

 

 

 

(vii)     reversing the 63% cut of the Corporation Tax Banking Surcharge, so that big banks contribute fairly towards the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic after a year of record banking profits;

 

 

 

(g)      believes that this is no time for leaders of the previous Council administration to be self-congratulatory, as this City faces huge cost of living issues whilst the Council is at serious risk of financial failure due in part to the failures of previous administrations to get control of the Council’s budget;

 

 

 

(h)      welcomes the establishment by the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee of a cost of living Gold Command and resolves to support the work of that Command, bringing in partners, and seeking innovative ways to help the people of Sheffield get through this crisis;

 

 

 

(i)       notes, with dismay, both the £20 million of reserves used to plug a hole in the Council’s budget last year and that this Council is already falling drastically behind budget needs for this year;

 

 

 

(j)       believes there were failures of the previous administration to deal properly with budget overspends, and that this is now a very real problem for the people of Sheffield;

 

 

 

(k)      notes that this Council faces the prospect of Government-appointed Commissioners being brought in to lead it if it cannot get a grip of its budget;

 

 

 

(l)       calls upon all Councillors to consider the consequences of Government-appointed Commissioners taking control of Sheffield Council and the impacts this could have on our services and the standing of our City;

 

 

 

(m)     believes therefore that alongside an emergency national budget, this Council also requires an emergency financial recovery plan for Sheffield;

 

 

 

(n)      believes this should be brought forward as soon as possible; and

 

 

 

(o)      believes that this Council needs to get its spending under control and give the people of Sheffield a stable and economically sound Council they can rely on through this cost of living crisis.

 

 

6.3

It was then moved by Councillor Alexi Dimond, and seconded by Councillor Brian Holmshaw, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

 

 

 

1.       the deletion of paragraphs (c) and (i) and the consequential re-lettering of the remaining paragraphs in the Motion; and

 

 

 

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (q) to (t) [which would be re-lettered as paragraphs (o) to (r)] as follows:-

 

 

 

(q)      recognises that the climate crisis and cost of living crisis are inextricably linked; and believes that both crises are caused or exacerbated by government policies and that the Government has failed to take measures to insulate the UK from energy price rises by cancelling the feed-in tariff for solar PV, imposing a moratorium on on-shore wind, cancelling tidal projects, failing to insulate homes and allowing rampant profiteering by privatised energy companies;

 

 

 

(r)       further recognises that unlimited growth on a finite planet is neither possible nor desirable and advocates a new sustainable and fairer way to manage the economy based on meeting the needs of all people that prioritises access to food, shelter, health and wellbeing while ensuring that we live within our planetary means and don’t destroy the earth-systems which sustain humanity and other species;

 

 

 

(s)      believes that the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis must also be key priorities in the work planning of all Policy Committees and therefore supports the implementation of the comprehensive climate impact assessment tool which has been developed by officers during the previous administration and is based on the doughnut theory of economics which aims for a fully local, circular economy; and

 

 

 

(t)       believes that there is no time to lose in installing solar PV on Council buildings and therefore recommends the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to immediately establish a tendering process for providers who can install solar PV on newbuilt and existing Council buildings at cheapest or no cost to the Council, prioritising offers from local partners who are committed to the City and will reinvest profits locally.

 

 

6.4

It was then moved by Councillor Lewis Chinchen, and seconded by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards), as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) to (i) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (i) as follows:-

 

 

 

(c)      notes that the inflationary pressures are mainly being caused by global factors – namely, the war in Ukraine and the post-pandemic recovery;

 

 

 

(d)      believes that the Government’s £37 billion support package will help millions of households across the country deal with the cost-of-living pressures;

 

 

 

(e)      notes that much of the support package is targeted to those on the lowest incomes and those impacted most by inflation, including:-

 

 

 

(i)       £650 for those on means-tested benefits;

 

 

 

(ii)       £300 for pensioners; and

 

 

 

(iii)      £150 for those receiving disability benefits;

 

 

 

(f)       also notes the non-repayable £400 off energy bills that all households will receive, as well as measures the Government has previously announced, including:-

 

 

 

(i)       £150 Council Tax rebate for households in Bands A-D;

 

 

 

(ii)       increases in the Household Support Fund – providing targeted support to those that need it most;

 

 

 

(iii)      fuel duty cut, worth £100 a year to the average one-car family;

 

 

 

(iv)      increasing the National Insurance threshold, resulting in a tax cut for those on the lowest incomes – meaning 70% of people will pay less tax even after the implementation of the levy (which will be used to increase health and social care spending);

 

 

 

(v)      increasing the National Living Wage by 6.6%, meaning an extra £1,000 a year for a full-time worker; and

 

 

 

(vi)      raising the Employment Allowance – a tax cut worth £1,000 for half a million businesses;

 

 

 

(g)      believes that we should not let excessive bureaucracy get in the way of delivering actual support;

 

 

 

(h)      believes that we need to be more proactive in administering measures such as the Household Support Fund so we are reaching the people we need to reach; and

 

 

 

(i)       believes that Central Government, Local Government and partner agencies must work together constructively and put people first.

 

 

6.5

After contributions from four other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Terry Fox, the amendment moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed was put to the vote and was lost, except for paragraphs (f) & (h) of Part 2 of the amendment, which were carried as additional paragraphs to be added to the Substantive Motion.

 

 

6.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 26 Members; AGAINST - 35 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 13 Members.  The Labour Group members voted against, but for paragraphs (f) & (h) in Part 2 of the amendment.)

 

 

6.6

The amendment moved by Councillor Alexi Dimond was then put to the vote and was lost.

 

 

6.6.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 13 Members; AGAINST - 35 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 26 Members.  The Liberal Democrat Group members abstained, but voted against paragraph (r) in Part 2 of the amendment.)

 

 

6.7

The amendment moved by Councillor Lewis Chinchen was then put to the vote and was lost.

 

 

6.7.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 1 Member; AGAINST - 72 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  The Green Group members voted against, but for paragraph (i) of the amendment.)

 

 

6.8

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

 

 

 

(a)      believes that there can be no doubt that we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, with surges in fuel, energy and food prices and with inflation running at a 30-year high;

 

 

 

(b)      believes that the cost of living crisis is the single biggest issue, and most immediate concern, for most people across the UK;

 

 

 

(c)      notes that, whilst global shocks and the war in Ukraine have of course had an impact, a decade of low growth under Conservative-led governments has left the economy weakened and unable to deal with shocks;

 

 

 

(d)      believes the Government’s response has been woeful and further highlights how out of touch they are, and that rather than getting to grips with the serious issues facing our country they instead are preoccupied with waging unnecessary culture wars;

 

 

 

(e)      believes there is much the Government needs to be doing, and one need only look to governments across Europe to see what can be done to help households against a sharp rise in energy bills, and yet here in the UK the Government’s spring statement offered nothing to those who really need it;

 

 

 

(f)       believes, therefore, that the Government should take heed of the Labour Party’s call for an emergency budget and supports the following activity:-

 

 

 

(i)       a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, which would save household bills by up to £600 (helping mitigate the Government’s National Insurance rise);

 

 

 

(ii)       a discount on business rates for small and medium sized businesses;

 

 

 

(iii)      a "rapid ramp-up" of installing insulation into homes across the country to save on energy bills;

 

 

 

(iv)      an investigation by the National Crime Agency into taxpayer money lost through fraud; and

 

 

 

(v)      reversing the £20 per week cut to Universal Credit;

 

 

 

(g)      believes that whilst the Government is spectacularly failing to help families, members of the previous Council administration have, over the course of the last year, been working to ensure the Council is doing everything it can to support residents through the cost of living crisis;

 

 

 

(h)      notes that at an organisational level, Sheffield City Council are treating the cost of living crisis with the same resolve as it did for the pandemic;

 

 

 

(i)       notes that, just like in the pandemic, the Leader of the Council established a Gold Command Executive Management Team, and is ensuring that every effort is being made to review what the Council is doing in response to the difficulties facing our communities;

 

 

 

(j)       notes that Sheffield City Council and partners have put together a Sheffield Money Support website to provide a single point of access for residents;

 

 

 

(k)      believes that our Council should act as a point of call for those in need, and reaffirms support for the forthcoming rollout of a Financial Support Access Plan – so Sheffielders can be best advised where to go for the right financial support, suited to their circumstances;

 

 

 

(l)       notes that due to the approval of the budget amendment proposed by the Labour Group in March 2022, which secured £3.5 million for sustainable local energy, the Council is increasing ways to get energy bills down, through installing renewable energy on our estate; such as schools, libraries, community centres and council homes;

 

 

 

(m)     notes that under the previous Administration’s Housing Revenue Account, the Council is retrofitting 6,000 homes with new roofs, and 2,000 homes will benefit from boiler replacements, as well as ensuring that all council homes are to at least EPC C (Energy Performance Level C) – making homes warmer and reducing bills;

 

 

 

(n)      further notes that the approved amendment to the budget, proposed by the Labour Group, put extra resources into supporting neighbourhoods, and focused extra support on those who will be the most hardest hit, including further support for the Food Access Plan;

 

 

 

(o)      believes that this resolve to tackle this crisis must carry on throughout the new committee system, and calls on every Policy Committee to ensure that the cost of living crisis is a key priority in their work plans, and that all financial decisions must consider what impact they will be having on the crisis;

 

 

 

(p)      notes that the Leader of the Council has already begun convening a strategic conversation with partners and stakeholders (including the voluntary and community sector, public sector partners, utility companies and MPs) to maximise our collective effort around responding to the crisis;

 

 

 

(q)      welcomes the Government’s belated agreement to a windfall tax on energy producers, previously called for by the Liberal Democrat Party last October and then by the Labour Party in January, as part of a package of measures to help with the cost of living crisis, but believes that this should include, additionally:-

 

 

 

(i)       taking £300 off struggling families’ heating bills immediately by doubling and expanding the Warm Home Discount;

 

 

 

(ii)       scrapping the National Insurance tax hike introduced by the Government in April;

 

 

 

(iii)      ending the unfair freeze of the Income Tax personal allowance, which is a stealth tax falling disproportionately on low earners;

 

 

 

(iv)      protecting pensioners from rising prices, including the 1.5 million low-income people on pension credit, by uprating pensions in line with the Bank of England’s inflation forecast;

 

 

 

(v)      reinstating the £1,000 boost to Universal Credit, to ensure that the most vulnerable households get proper support;

 

 

 

(vi)      supporting low-income households on Universal Credit with rising mortgage costs by returning the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme to its pre-2018 format – turning it from an interest-bearing loan to a benefit payment; and

 

 

 

(vii)     reversing the 63% cut of the Corporation Tax Banking Surcharge, so that big banks contribute fairly towards the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic after a year of record banking profits; and

 

 

 

(r)       welcomes the establishment by the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee of a cost of living Gold Command and resolves to support the work of that Command, bringing in partners, and seeking innovative ways to help the people of Sheffield get through this crisis.

 

 

 

 

6.8.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 47 Members; AGAINST – 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 26 Members.  The Liberal Democrat Group members abstained, but voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (e), (q) & (r) of the Substantive Motion.  The Green Group members voted for, but against paragraphs (c) & (i) of the Substantive Motion.)