Agenda and minutes

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Contact: John Street, Corporate Manager Democratic & Civic Support  Telephone 01392 265106 or email  john.street@exeter.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

58.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 October 2022 were moved by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk and seconded by Councillor Wright taken as read, approved and signed as correct.

 

 

59.

Official Communications

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor reported that a card, signed by King Charles III, had been received from Buckingham Palace addressed to the Lord Mayor and the people of Exeter in response to the letters of condolence which had been sent.

 

The Lord Mayor advised that she had attended the following:-

 

·         Diwali celebrations at Matthews’s Hall in Topsham on 29 October 2022;

·         the Devon Young Farmers Harvest Festival Service at Exeter Cathedral on 30 October 2022;

·         the Exeter, East and Mid Devon award and recognition ceremony at the Barnfield Theatre on 3 November 2022 for both serving officers, police staff and members of the public for actions that have gone above and beyond expectations;

·         the Remembrance Service in Northernhay Gardens on 13 November 2022;

·         the 80th Anniversary of the Polish Flag raising ceremony on 15 November 2022, attended by representatives of the 307 Squadron Project and members of the Brize Norton RAF base;

·         the annual dinner of the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearman at Tuckers Hall on 18 November 2022;

·         the 41st annual Exeter Street Sweepers’ and Cleaners’ Award held at the Guildhall on 19 November 2022;

·         a Fit for a King dinner held at @34 Restaurant at Exeter College on 23 November 2022, where £1,400 had been raised for Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity;

·         a reception on 26 November 2022 as part of the celebrations for the return of Exeter Carnival which had taken place after a 24 year absence; and

·         the Lord Mayor’s Carol Service on 28 November 2022 at the Cathedral with the Exeter Railway Band, The Maynard School and the Exeter Police and Community Choir participating in the service.

 

The Lord Mayor reported the following:-

 

·         the Lord Mayor’s coffee morning event would be held on Saturday 17 December 2022 to raise money for the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance;

·         St. Sidwell’s Point had won the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors Environmental Impact Award for inspirational initiatives and developments on 21 October 2022. The ceremony had been held at the Londoner Hotel in London; and

·         the nomination of St. Sidwell’s Point for the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards Excellence in the Planning for Health and Wellbeing category, the ceremony held on 30 November 2022 at the Mermaid Theatre in London.

 

 

60.

Public Question

Details of questions should be notified to the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Thursday 8 December 2022. Further information and a copy of the procedure are available from Democratic Services (Committees) (Tel: 01392 265115) with details about speaking at Council to be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.

 

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor reported the receipt of a question from a member of the public.

 

Question from Peter Cleasby to Councillor Bialyk, Leader.

 

What lessons for the future has the Council learned from the procurement process relating to the construction of St. Sidwell's Point?

Response

1.    When procuring a builder for a project as challenging and complex as St. Sidwell’s Point (city centre location, swimming pool engineering, Passivhaus construction), then a two stage tender process with the contractor enables the contractor to fully understand the challenges, risks and solutions, before confirming the price and programme.  This collaborative approach helped remove uncertainty and any misunderstanding or misconceptions.

 

2.    Presentations and information sessions about the project during the tender process help the supply chain gain a good understanding of the requirements of the project and key drivers for success.

 

3.    Keeping a clear register and log of all correspondence and information issued during the tender process helps ensure consistency of communication with all tendering parties and avoids the risk of procurement challenge.

 

4.    Complex projects require teams on both sides to understand the priorities of others regarding risk and the processes that need to be managed, including resourcing of risk mitigation.

 

5.    The project is market-leading, so communicating the benefits and additional processes is part of the procurement process and time needs to be allocated to this.

 

Mr Cleasby asked a supplementary question as to whether, notwithstanding the good practices that had been followed, had the two substantial budget increases in 2018 and 2021 impacted on subsequent Council negotiations with the contractor and that, in spite of these escalating costs, the Council had no option but to continue its commitment to the project so as not to lose face?

 

The Leader, in responding, stated that very detailed practices had been established with the contractor at the procurement stage of the contract. It was to the credit of the Council to have developed a highly prestigious, successful leisure facility at a time when other leisure centres and swimming pools across the country had been forced to close as a result of the economic conditions brought about by the Covid Pandemic.  

 

61.

Planning Committee - 10 October 2022 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 10 October 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Morse, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 40 (Planning Application No. 22/0236/FUL and 22/0237/LBC - The Royal Clarence Hotel, Cathedral Yard, Exeter), and  in response to a question from a Member and in the absence of the Portfolio Holder for City Development, the Leader advised that, in the event of a deferred contribution mechanism being made on the completion of the commercial and residential units on the Royal Clarence Hotel site, the details would be reported to Members.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 10 October 2022 be received.

 

62.

Licensing Committee - 24 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Licensing Committee of 24 November 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Foale, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 24 November 2022 be received.

 

63.

Audit and Governance Committee - 30 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 524 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee of 30 November 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Wardle, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 27 (External Auditor’s Annual Audit Report on Exeter City Council 2020/21), the Leader, in response to Members’ questions, advised that:-

 

·         a review of the governance structure of Exeter City Council’s companies, including Exeter City Living, was underway to ensure that the Board comprised the right mix of Directors with the necessary skills as well as appropriate shareholder interaction and that, the details of the changes and the composition of the new Board, would be reported back to Council; and

·         with regard to other City Council companies, the review of Strata would be progressed by the Strata Joint Executive Committee which was responsible for the strategic governance of Strata with the appropriate scrutiny to be undertaken by the Strata Joint Scrutiny Committee. This was a joint exercise by the three company owners – East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 30 November 2022 be received.

 

64.

Strategic Scrutiny Committee - 17 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 548 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Strategic Scrutiny Committee of 17 November 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Hannaford, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Strategic Scrutiny Committee held on 17 November 2022 be received.

 

65.

Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee - 1 December 2022 pdf icon PDF 751 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee of 1 December 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Vizard, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 32 (Questions from Members of the Council under Standing Order No. 20), the Leader moved and Councillor M. Mitchell seconded the addition of the Earl of Devon in the recommendation requesting that the City’s MP’s and Bishop Robert Atwell be asked to raise with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities the Scrutiny Committee’s concerns regarding problems of mould and damp in social housing.

 

Following a vote, the recommendation, as amended, was CARRIED unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 34 (Tackling the Ecological Emergency), the Chair reported that, in view of the resource implications, the recommendation for the Local Plan team to be requested to lead on the production of a Biodiversity Status Report, a Nature Recovery Plan and a Tree Canopy Cover Action Plan for inclusion within the Local Plan, with specific and measurable targets for Exeter, would be reported to the Executive.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee held on 1 December 2022 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

 

 

66.

Exeter Harbour Board - 26 October 2022 pdf icon PDF 428 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Exeter Harbour Board of 26 October 2022 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Williams, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 21 (Harbour Revision Order Update), the Chair reported that she had started to meet informally with water sports associations and other relevant organisations with an interest in the Harbour Revision Order to discuss its implications, including issues around charging.

 

In respect of Minute No. 22 (Harbour Master’s Report), the Chair advised that the Heritage Harbour Route Map had been commissioned by the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust who would decide on the timing of the release of the final version which was currently under preparation.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Exeter Harbour Board held on 26 October 2022 be received.

 

67.

Executive - 1 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Executive of 1 November 2022 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 111 (Revisions to Street Naming and Numbering Policy), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously. 

 

In respect of Minute No. 112 (The Devon Carbon Plan), Councillor D. Moore prior to moving amendments on the recommendations, sought the views of the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change on the following:-

 

·         the County Council goal within the Carbon Plan to achieve Net Zero by 2050 with a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030;

·         what was the meaning of the words “reflecting on” in recommendation (2), particularly in respect of transport?; and

·         the absence in the Equality Impact Assessment of any evidence that religious organisations were reluctant to improve their buildings, as many were in the forefront of taking action in this respect.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change responded as follows:-

 

·         the Devon County Council target for Net Zero 2050 aligns with the national target. Whilst the County Council has challenges to deliver on the target because of the diverse nature of Devon communities, for Exeter, their buildings within the city are set to meet the 2030 Net Zero target;

·         transport was 22% of the city’s carbon emissions and was a key target and this issue was being progressed by the City Council’s Exeter Transport Working Group and through Member and officer discussions with their County Council colleagues; and

·         a separate written response would be provided in relation to the question on the Equality Impact Assessment.

 

Councillor D. Moore moved and Councillor K. Mitchell seconded the following amendments to the recommendations:- 

 

(1)  Recommendation (2) to read “reaffirm the commitment to the City of Exeter’s goal of a Net Zero Exeter 2030, given the Devon Carbon Plan target for Net Zero being 2050, in-line with Government’s goal for the country. Transport being one of the largest sources of carbon emissions for the City and County, the consequences of reductions to Net Zero by 2030 were profound and Members may wish to satisfy themselves that the 2050 goal provided a supportive policy context for the city of Exeter’s Net Zero plans. Accordingly, to open urgent and meaningful negotiations with the County Council on Transport and the 2050 target to develop a supportive policy context for the City of Exeter Net Zero plans”:

(2)  to replace the word biannual in recommendation (5) with the words “reports twice yearly”, and;

(3)  an additional recommendation to remove the reference to religious groups in the Equality Impact Assessment as there is no evidence to back up the statement that such groups are reluctant to improve their buildings.

 

During the discussion, the Leader stated that he was prepared to accept the proposal to negotiate with the County Council on transport but that the wording should be amended to read “ask for” rather than “open” meaningful discussions with the County Council.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

68.

Executive - 29 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 534 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Executive of 29 November 2022 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk, and taken as read.  

 

In respect of Minute No.119 (Members’ Allowances), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 120 (Amendment to the Terms of Reference for the Joint Consultation and Negotiation Committee), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 121 (Working Towards Net Zero - Exeter City Council’s Corporate Footprint Report and Carbon Reduction Action Plan), the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, undertook to respond to a Member’s question in respect of the requirement for a detailed investment plan based on costed proposals to achieve Net Zero 2030.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 122 (The Local Household Support Fund - Scheme 3), the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services and Housing commended the scheme which would assist those households struggling during the Cost of Living Crisis, the awards to range between £100 and £650, with payments to be made in January.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 123 (Mary Arches Street Car Park Re-development), the Leader, in response to a Member’s question, advised that there was no intention to include properties outside of the indicative red line boundary and that the purpose of the report was to agree a budget for the demolition of the Car Park and requirements for making the demolition possible. He added that there would be a consultation process and that Members could raise issues in advance with the Director City Development.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change stated that the cost of the solar canopy arrays had been fully met and that they would be relocated to an appropriate site to continue to generate energy.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried.

 

In respect of Minute No. 124 (Community Infrastructure Levy - Partial Review consultation), the Leader, in response to a Member’s question, confirmed that the public consultation on the draft Charging Schedule would follow the Council’s Consultation Charter.

 

Councillor Wood declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

 

In respect of Minute No. 125 (Annual Infrastructure Funding Statements 2022), the Leader, in response to Members’ questions, provided the following responses:-

 

·         although he understood that it was not a requirement for 25% of a CIL contribution to be allocated to a Neighbourhood Plan area, he would seek further clarification from the Director City Development;

·         with regard to the Exeter wide distribution of CIL monies, he recognised the differing demands from the city’s wards, some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

Notice of Motion by Councillor Pearce under Standing Order No. 6

Armed Forces Act 2021

 

This Council:

 

·        Stands firmly behind our UK Armed Forces and fully supports the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant. 

·        Welcomes the new Armed Forces Act but sees the legislation as a missed opportunity to improve the lives of veterans in Exeter.

·        Notes with disappointment that the Act which makes Exeter City Council and local public bodies legally bound to have “due regard” to the Covenant when providing support to Forces communities but exempts central government from any such duty, creating a two-tier Covenant for veterans.

·        Notes with further disappointment that Labour led proposals backed by service charities and ex-Service chiefs to enshrine the Covenant fully into law but Conservative MPs voted down these plans to improve Armed Forces accommodation, employment support and pensions and to end the scandal of visa fees for the families of Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel.

·        Resolves to continue the campaign with Forces charities to see the Government strengthen the Covenant and improve vital services to veterans.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Pearce, seconded by Councillor Wright, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-

 

Armed Forces Act 2021

 

This Council:

 

·         Stands firmly behind our UK Armed Forces and fully supports the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant. 

·         Welcomes the new Armed Forces Act but sees the legislation as a missed opportunity to improve the lives of veterans in Exeter.

·         Notes with disappointment that the Act which makes Exeter City Council and local public bodies legally bound to have “due regard” to the Covenant when providing support to Forces communities but exempts central government from any such duty, creating a two-tier Covenant for veterans.

·         Notes with further disappointment that Labour led proposals backed by service charities and ex-Service chiefs to enshrine the Covenant fully into law but Conservative MPs voted down these plans to improve Armed Forces accommodation, employment support and pensions and to end the scandal of visa fees for the families of Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel.

·         Resolves to continue the campaign with Forces charities to see the Government strengthen the Covenant and improve vital services to veterans.

 

Councillor Jobson, as the leader of an opposition group, made the following comments, stating that she would not be supporting the Motion:-

 

·         the Conservative Group supported the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces Covenant, the Armed Forces having made many sacrifices to fulfil their duties and to keep people safe. The Armed Forces were likely to be asked to step in to ensure that essential services continue to be provided during strike action;

·         the Armed Forces and their families deserve the Armed Forces Covenant as part of the promise made to them that they would not be disadvantaged and that their sacrifices would be recognised;

·         the Secretary of State for Defence had expressed his gratitude to the thousands of organisations across the country who supported the Armed Forces to ensure that they and their families were not disadvantaged as a result of the sacrifices made; and

·         the Covenant was to ensure that support continued into the future and the Conservative Group supported this legislation but could not support the recommendation.

 

In presenting his motion, Councillor Pearce made the following points:-

 

·         it was a very important recommendation for the South West as there were more veterans in the South West than anywhere else in the country and, in particular in Exeter, 3.9% of the population were veterans, many of whom being reservists who worked at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital;

·         the Royal British Legion had expressed the view that the Armed Forces Bill would, for the first time, place the Covenant on a legal footing. Whilst the majority of the public believed that it was the responsibility of the Government to deliver, it was exempted from the new provisions. The Legion had stated that the responsibility for many of the issues concerning the Armed Forces community rests with the Government; and

·         support for the Armed Forces was a Government responsibility and it should be taking the initiative and not relying on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Notice of Motion by Councillor Wood under Standing Order No. 6

Plant-Based Food 

 

1. This Council recognises the importance of accessing a whole-food plant-based diet [1, 2] and the effect dietary choices can have on individual carbon footprints.

 

2. This Council recognises the importance of a balanced diet as well as individual choice and catering for all dietary requirements. Increasing awareness of dietary choices and resulting impact to individual carbon footprint can allow individuals to make more informed choices.

 

3. The special report on climate change and land by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes plant-based diets as a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to climate change - and includes a policy recommendation to reduce meat consumption. [3]

 

4. The National Food Strategy recommended cutting meat consumption by 30% in a decade. [4]

 

5. When we talk about emissions, we usually think of carbon dioxide (CO2). But livestock's emissions also include methane, which is up to 34 times more damaging to the environment over 100 years than CO2, according to the UN. [5]

 

6. Beef produces the most greenhouse gas emissions, which include methane. A global average of 110lb (50kg) of greenhouse gases is released per 3.5oz of protein. Lamb has the next highest environmental footprint but these emissions are 50% less than beef. Cattle produce more methane than poultry, which rely more on imported feed than cows, generating a carbon footprint offshore, says Professor Margaret Gill. [6]

 

7. The plant-based food market is booming. With one-third of UK consumers choosing to actively reduce their meat consumption, the demand for plant-based innovation is growing at a rapid pace. [7]

 

8. Plant-based food contributes to Exeter City Council corporate priorities, including our Net Zero 2030 target through to personal wellbeing.

 

Council asks Executive to:

 

1. Ensure that by the Exeter City Council Annual Council in May 2023, food provided at all internal Council catered events and meetings, including those hosted by the Mayoralty, be plant-based.

 

2. Ensure that all Council run external sites including Leisure Centres, cafes and restaurants have plant-based options available as part of their regular catering offer and advertised clearly on their menu.

 

3. Set up a cross-party Task and Finish Working Group, chaired by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, of officers, elected Members including other relevant Portfolio Holders and invited experts to promote and embed these principles in Exeter City Council’s food provision where practicable.

 

 

References

[1] The term “whole” in whole foods plant based diet describes foods that are minimally processed. This includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

[2] The term “plant-based” refers to vegetables, grains, pulses, or other foods derived from plants, rather than animal products.

[3] IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Accessed on 24th November 2022: https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/ [4] National Food Strategy: An Independent Review for Government. Accessed on 24th November 2022: https:// www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/the-report/

[5] United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Methane Management: The Challenge. Accessed on 24th November 2022: https://unece.org/challenge

[6] BBC Climate change: Do I need to stop eating meat? Accessed on 24th November 2022: https://www.bbc.co.uk/  ...  view the full agenda text for item 70.

Minutes:

Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parkhouse, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-

 

Plant-Based Food 

 

1. This Council recognises the importance of accessing a whole-food plant-based diet [1, 2] and the effect dietary choices can have on individual carbon footprints.

 

2. This Council recognises the importance of a balanced diet as well as individual choice and catering for all dietary requirements. Increasing awareness of dietary choices and resulting impact to individual carbon footprint can allow individuals to make more informed choices.

 

3. The special report on climate change and land by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes plant-based diets as a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to climate change - and includes a policy recommendation to reduce meat consumption. [3]

 

4. The National Food Strategy recommended cutting meat consumption by 30% in a decade. [4]

 

5. When we talk about emissions, we usually think of carbon dioxide (CO2). But livestock's emissions also include methane, which is up to 34 times more damaging to the environment over 100 years than CO2, according to the UN. [5]

 

6. Beef produces the most greenhouse gas emissions, which include methane. A global average of 110lb (50kg) of greenhouse gases is released per 3.5oz of protein. Lamb has the next highest environmental footprint but these emissions are 50% less than beef. Cattle produce more methane than poultry, which rely more on imported feed than cows, generating a carbon footprint offshore, says Professor Margaret Gill. [6]

 

7. The plant-based food market is booming. With one-third of UK consumers choosing to actively reduce their meat consumption, the demand for plant-based innovation is growing at a rapid pace. [7]

 

8. Plant-based food contributes to Exeter City Council corporate priorities, including our Net Zero 2030 target through to personal wellbeing.

 

Council asks Executive to:

 

1. Ensure that by the Exeter City Council Annual Council in May 2023, food provided at catered internal Council meetings will be plant-based and that it will showcase plant based foods at catered events.

 

2. Ensure that all Council run external sites including Leisure Centres, cafes and restaurants have plant-based options available as part of their regular catering offer and advertised clearly on their menu.

 

3. Set up a cross-party Task and Finish Working Group, chaired by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, of officers, elected Members including other relevant Portfolio Holders and invited experts to promote and embed these principles in Exeter City Council’s food provision where practicable.

 

 

References

[1] The term “whole” in whole foods plant based diet describes foods that are minimally processed. This includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

[2] The term “plant-based” refers to vegetables, grains, pulses, or other foods derived from plants, rather than animal products.

[3] IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Accessed on 24th November 2022: https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/ [4] National Food Strategy: An Independent Review for Government. Accessed on 24th November 2022: https:// www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/the-report/

[5] United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Methane Management: The Challenge. Accessed on 24th November 2022:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

71.

Notice of Motion by Councillor Atkinson under Standing Order No. 6

State Pension Inequality

 

Council notes that:

 

·        In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act.

·        The change was not properly communicated to 3.8m women born in the 1950s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a six year increase in their anticipated retirement age.  Nearly 6,000 of the affected women are in our own authority area.

·        The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of maladministration in its handling of the State Pension Age increase for women born in the 1950s.

·        The All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women has concluded that “the impact of DWP maladministration on 1950s-born women has been as devastating as it is widespread.  The APPG believes that the case for category 6 injustice is overwhelming and clear.  Women have had their emotional, physical, and mental circumstances totally obliterated by a lack of reasonable notice.”

·        Research commissioned by campaign group WASPI has found that by the end of 2022, more than 220,000 1950s born women will have died waiting for justice since the WASPI campaign began in 2015.

·        WASPI’s figures show that over the course of the two year COVID pandemic, 1 in 10 women who died was affected by these uncommunicated changes and lost both their state pension income and the opportunity to make alternative retirement plans.

·        Despite the Ombudsman’s findings and the rapid death rate of those affected, the government is choosing to wait for further reports before taking any action. 

 

Council believes this injustice has not only had a profound effect on the individuals involved but on the wider community in Exeter and on local government, not least because:

 

·        Women who would have looked after older relatives or partners are unable to afford to do so, with a knock-on impact on local social care.

·        Women who would have retired and engaged in caring responsibilities for grandchildren are having to continue working, increasing the childcare burden on the state locally.

·        Women who have been left in poverty are struggling to meet their housing costs, with a knock-on impact on local housing stock.

·        There is a broader impact on voluntary services of all kinds locally, which are missing out on able, active volunteers who would otherwise have been able to retire from full-time work as planned.

·        Our local economy is negatively affected by the reduced spending power and disposable income the uncommunicated State Pension Age changes has brought about among women born in the 1950’s.

 

Council supports: 

 

·        The conclusion of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality that women born in the 1950s have suffered a gross injustice, affecting their emotional, physical and mental circumstances in addition to causing financial hardship.

·        A swift resolution to this ongoing injustice before more and more women die waiting for compensation.

·        The WASPI campaign for an immediate one-off compensation payment of between  ...  view the full agenda text for item 71.

Minutes:

Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Oliver, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-

 

State Pension Inequality

 

Council notes that:

 

·         In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act.

·         The change was not properly communicated to 3.8 million women born in the 1950’s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a six year increase in their anticipated retirement age.  Nearly 6,000 of the affected women are in our own authority area.

·         The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was guilty of maladministration in its handling of the State Pension Age increase for women born in the 1950’s.

·         The All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women (APPG) has concluded that “the impact of DWP maladministration on 1950’s-born women has been as devastating as it is widespread.  The APPG believes that the case for category six injustice is overwhelming and clear.  Women have had their emotional, physical, and mental circumstances totally obliterated by a lack of reasonable notice.”

·         Research commissioned by the campaign group Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) has found that by the end of 2022, more than 220,000 1950’s born women will have died waiting for justice since the WASPI campaign began in 2015.

·         WASPI’s figures show that over the course of the two year COVID pandemic, 1 in 10 women who died were affected by these uncommunicated changes and lost both their state pension income and the opportunity to make alternative retirement plans.

·         Despite the Ombudsman’s findings and the rapid death rate of those affected, the Government is choosing to wait for further reports before taking any action. 

 

Council believes this injustice has not only had a profound effect on the individuals involved but on the wider community in Exeter and on local government, not least because:

 

·         Women who would have looked after older relatives or partners are unable to afford to do so, with a knock-on impact on local social care.

·         Women who would have retired and engaged in caring responsibilities for grandchildren are having to continue working, increasing the childcare burden on the state locally.

·         Women who have been left in poverty are struggling to meet their housing costs, with a knock-on impact on local housing stock.

·         There is a broader impact on voluntary services of all kinds locally, which are missing out on able, active volunteers who would otherwise have been able to retire from full-time work as planned.

·         Our local economy is negatively affected by the reduced spending power and disposable income the uncommunicated State Pension Age changes has brought about among women born in the 1950’s.

 

Council supports: 

 

·         The conclusion of the APPG on State Pension Inequality that women born in the 1950’s have suffered a gross injustice, affecting their emotional, physical and mental circumstances in addition to causing financial hardship.

·         A swift resolution to this ongoing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

72.

Questions from Members of the Council under Standing Order No. 8

Minutes:

No questions had been received from Members.