Agenda item

Question from Councillor Richard Gorton to the Leader of the Council

“2025 marks eighty years since the end of the Second World War with Victory

in Europe (V E Day) on 8th May 1945 and Victory over Japan (V J Day) on 15th August 1945. Will the Leader of the Council confirm how the Borough Council intends to commemorate these important anniversaries?”

The Leader stated that national guidance was still awaited but confirmed that there would be a beacon lighting ceremony in the Queens Gardens and a commemorative  Civic church service on the relevant Sunday.  Applications would also be taken from residents wishing to close roads for street parties/events.

The Museum would also be doing a series of events, not only looking at the national ramifications of VE Day but also the impact on Newcastle and its residents.

Where the Council had control over war memorials, they would be the central focus of any celebrations going forward and it would be ensured that they were in a good condition.

Question from Councillor Mark Holland to the Leader of the Council

“We have seen an extreme spell of cold weather affecting residents of the

Borough since the New Year. Many of our pensioners are still reeling from the governments cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance, some making a decision about whether to eat or heat.

The Council unanimously passed a Motion at its September meeting asking the Leader &  Chief Executive to write to Rachel Reeves, Chancellor  of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance  and asking her to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, were protected from fuel poverty. Secondly, to write to Adam Jogee MP and the other MPs representing the Borough, calling on them to support the campaign to reverse the Government’s decision.

Has the Council received a response from the Chancellor or local MPs? 

Mr Jogee  told the local newspaper that he would be organising a series of ‘roving surgeries’ across Newcastle to help pensioners claim Pensions Credit to therefore qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance.  

How many ‘roving surgeries’ did Mr Jogee hold before the deadline to apply for Pensions Credit to enable pensioners to receive this year’s Winter Fuel Allowance?”

The Leader referred to the motion, passed by Full Council last September, part of which was to campaign against the cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance.  That was done and all community groups had been written to and two sessions were held for pensioners to come in and get advice on applying for Pension Credit.

Letters were sent to the local MP’s and the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves and no responses had been received, however a letter had been received prior to this meeting from MP’s who wanted to arrange a meeting.

Regarding the roving surgeries, the Leader had checked and could only see one event, pre-Christmas which was related to Pension Credit.

Councillor Holland asked a supplementary question:

“It being the case that he did not get a reply from the Chancellor or MP, would the Leader write again and in the course of  either corresponding with the MP or, in the suggested meeting would he please ask how many of the surgeries were held and how many people may have been reasonably been expected to be assisted with their application for Pension Credit. 

It was understood that since the time that the Government had made that announcement there had been a rise in people applying for Pension Credit but it would not have been 100% of those eligible so it was needed to know what worked.

The Leader confirmed that he would do that and feed back to Members and to Councillor \holland who asked the question.

Watch the debate here