Agenda item

1.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Watling and seconded by Councillor Bell –

 

This council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.

2.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Khan –

 

Motion to Council: Warm Banks in Watford

 

This Council also notes that:

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils like Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends.

 

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

 

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will develop an emergency plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

 

To work closely and provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioners poverty charities.

 

Work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

 

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.

 

3.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Stotesbury with a seconder to be advised –

 

Council notes with concern recent reports that all 980 staffed ticket offices in England could be closed, following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.

 

Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Watford. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff. 

 

Not all residents are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.

 

Council is concerned the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in Watford – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and the concerns that have been raised over possible staff redundancies.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

That the Mayor to write  to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Government Railways Minister, expressing Council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the office at Watford Junction.

 

That the Mayor to write to London North Western Railway expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket office at Watford Junction.

 

 

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

 

                   Motion 1

 

                   The following motion was proposed by Councillor Watling and seconded by Councillor Bell: 

                  

                   “This council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.”

 

     Members debated the motion.

 

     On being put to Council the motion was agreed.

 

   RESOLVED –

 

          That this Council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.

 

Motion 2

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Khan:

 

     “Warm Banks in Watford

 

This Council also notes that:

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils like Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends.

 

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

 

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will develop an emergency plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

 

To work closely and provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioners’ poverty charities.

 

Work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.”

 

     Mayor Taylor moved an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Dychton. 

 

“This Council notes that:

 

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils including Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends and give an opportunity to meet others.

 

Watford Council declared a cost of living emergency at a previous meeting. In response to the emergency, the Mayor has convened a Cost of Living Forum to bring together key organisations, groups and individuals who, together, can have a real impact on those finding it hard to manage through these difficult times. It has also created an online cost of living hub to help residents find the resources and access the organisations they need to deal with the cost of living emergency.

 

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

 

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will implement its plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

 

To work closely and continue to provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioner’s poverty charities through the Watford Community Fund and other sources.

    

Continue to work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

 

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.”

 

Councillor Turmaine accepted the amendment.  Members then debated the substantive motion.

 

     On being put to Council the motion was agreed.

 

     RESOLVED –

 

This Council notes that:

 

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils including Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends and give an opportunity to meet others.

 

Watford Council declared a cost of living emergency at a previous meeting. In response to the emergency, the Mayor has convened a Cost of Living Forum to bring together key organisations, groups and individuals who, together, can have a real impact on those finding it hard to manage through these difficult times. It has also created an online cost of living hub to help residents find the resources and access the organisations they need to deal with the cost of living emergency.

 

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

 

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will implement its plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

 

To work closely and continue to provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioner’s poverty charities through the Watford Community Fund and other sources.

 

     Continue to work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

 

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.”

 

Motion 3

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Stotesbury and seconded by Councillor Williams: 

 

“Council notes with concern recent reports that all 980 staffed ticket offices in England could be closed, following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.

 

Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Watford. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff.

 

Not all residents are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.

 

Council is concerned the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in Watford – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and the concerns that have been raised over possible staff redundancies.

 

Council therefore resolves:

That the Mayor to write to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Government Railways Minister, expressing Council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the office at Watford Junction.

 

That the Mayor to write to London North Western Railway expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket office at Watford Junction.”

 

Members then debated the motion.

 

On being put to Council the motion was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Council notes with concern recent reports that all 980 staffed ticket offices in England could be closed, following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.

 

Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Watford. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff.

 

Not all residents are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.

 

Council is concerned the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in Watford – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and the concerns that have been raised over possible staff redundancies.

 

Council therefore resolves:

That the Mayor to write to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Government Railways Minister, expressing Council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the office at Watford Junction.

 

That the Mayor to write to London North Western Railway expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket office at Watford Junction.