Agenda item

Motions on Notice

To consider motions received in accordance with Meeting Procedure Rule 17 as follows:-

 

Motion 1

 

To be proposed by Cllr Lyn Buckingham and seconded by Cllr Leanne Buckingham:-

 

The cost-of-living crisis will have an impact on the Council’s most vulnerable tenants, especially if the winter turns out to be long and hard, and no one knows if it will be mild or harsh winter. Whilst the government works out what it needs to do, we as a landlord also need to look at and prepare for how we ensure our tenants remain safe and well.

 

Our housing stock is getting older and whist we as a Council do have a boiler replacement scheme, it is still possible we could have many boiler failures over the coming winter, with tenants facing long waits for either boiler parts or replacement. 

 

This motion asks –

 

“North Northamptonshire Council to review the energy efficiency of any temporary heating given to families to help in those conditions where tenants have a boiler failure and face a long wait for repairs or replacement, as the current temporary heating (usually fan heaters) could cost up to 84p per hour to run per heater, over a month this could add £100s per month compared to average heating costs; the motion also asks if heating in these circumstances could be subsidised by the Council in properties where there are children under 5, the elderly and the disabled, who are disproportionally affected by the need and ability to keep warm.”

 

 

Motion 2

 

To be proposed by Cllr Emily Fedorowycz and seconded by Cllr Sarah Tubbs:-

 

“This Council moves to lobby central government for retrospective price caps (October 2021 levels) to protect the British public and British businesses against rising energy prices.”

 

 

Minutes:

Motion 1

The Chair informed Council that the following motion on notice had been received.

“The cost-of-living crisis will have an impact on the Council’s most vulnerable tenants, especially if the winter turns out to be long and hard, and no one knows if it will be mild or harsh winter. Whilst the government works out what it needs to do, we as a landlord also need to look at and prepare for how we ensure our tenants remain safe and well.

 

Our housing stock is getting older and whist we as a Council do have a boiler replacement scheme, it is still possible we could have many boiler failures over the coming winter, with tenants facing long waits for either boiler parts or replacement. 

 

This motion asks –

 

North Northamptonshire Council to review the energy efficiency of any temporary heating given to families to help in those conditions where tenants have a boiler failure and face a long wait for repairs or replacement, as the current temporary heating (usually fan heaters) could cost up to 84p per hour to run per heater, over a month this could add £100s per month compared to average heating costs; the motion also asks if heating in these circumstances could be subsidised by the Council in properties where there are children under 5, the elderly and the disabled, who are disproportionally affected by the need and ability to keep warm.”

 

Councillor Lyn Buckingham MOVED the motion. Councillor Leanne Buckingham SECONDED the motion.

Councillor Lyn Buckingham expressed concern regarding the potential for an increase in fuel poverty during the current energy crisis and the financial problems being faced by large sections of the community. Councillor Buckingham was particularly concerned regarding vulnerable people who were Council housing tenants and seeking assurances that the Council maximise assistance to these residents.

Councillor John McGhee felt that it was important that the Council took action as soon as possible and sought assurances that the boiler replacement programme was accelerated to ensure that the need for repairs to faulty devices could be minimised. It was important that the Council’s tenants did not suffer from lack of a reliable source of heating.

Councillor Binley confirmed that the Council did have a fully costed boiler replacement programme which was being rolled out. The Council operated a 24-hour response service to reports of faulty boilers as this was obviously seen as a priority. Boiler replacements were dealt with within days.

Councillor Hakewill suggested that the motion could be referred to scrutiny for consideration, however after discussions this referral was withdrawn, and the mover and seconder of the motion sought permission to amend the tabled motion, so that the words were added at the end of the final paragraph “…and that a report be brought back to the next Council meeting or the meeting after that.”

RESOLVED that: -

(i)               The motion (as amended) be approved.

Motion 2

The motion on notice submitted by Councillor Fedorowycz was withdrawn with the agreement of the seconder Councillor Tubbs and permission of Council.