CHESHIRE East will discuss on Monday writing to the government to request it reinstate the winter fuel allowance – three months after the mayor refused to allow the matter to be debated at full council.
Thousands of pensioners across the borough lost their winter fuel allowance of up to £300 after the government scrapped it for all except those on pension credit or other eligible benefits.
In October, the Conservatives tabled a notice of motion (NoM) calling for the council’s political group leaders to write jointly to the government ‘expressing this council’s deep concerns regarding the impact of this decision on Cheshire East’s most vulnerable residents and asking that the winter fuel allowance is reinstated with immediate effect’.
It also called on the Labour/Independent-controlled council to bring forward an awareness campaign to encourage those eligible for pension credit to apply for it.
The Tories were furious when Cheshire East’s mayor refused to allow the matter to be discussed at October’s full council meeting.
It will now be discussed on Monday at the meeting of the adults and health committee.
The recommendation to the committee is that the group leaders write jointly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions calling for the immediate reinstatement of the winter fuel allowance.
And that the council’s leader and deputy write to all Cheshire East MPs explaining the council’s concerns and requesting their support in raising them in Westminster, on behalf of local pensioners.
The report to the committee outlines what the council has done so far to help pensioners.
It states: “The council has contacted customers directly, carrying out a pension credit check and then supporting them to claim pension credit if relevant.
“To date, we have proactively contacted 1,027 residents regarding pension credit, 239 were possibly eligible for pension credit following the check, 39 requested help to claim, 13 cases have had pension credit confirmed so far.
“We are aware that the pension service have over a six-week delay on claims, and this is rising due to the influx of claims being made.”
The meeting takes place at 10am on Monday, January 20, at Crewe Municipal Buildings.