The Motion, as printed in the Agenda was proposed by Councillor Duffin and seconded by Councillor Aker. The Motion read as follows:

This Council supports the need to reduce and eliminate fuel poverty for Thurrock residents who struggle to heat their homes. Council requests that Cabinet investigate what options, including creating a fuel poverty grant that may exist for the Council to support the community by working with residents and providers.

Councillor Duffin introduced the Motion and in doing so requested for Cabinet to move forward with this with the three main factors affecting fuel poverty being:

•           Low Incomes

•           Poor Energy Efficiency

•           High Fuel Prices

Decisions being taken by Government have had a massive increase on fuel bills and on average future bills were being predicted to increase a further £51 based only on the green tariff. The green tariff comes from investments such as the investments the Council make in the solar farm in Swindon and questioned what the Council should be spending this money on.

Councillor Duffin stated that:

•           7.4 per cent of households in Thurrock were affected by fuel poverty.

•           82 per cent of households in Thurrock were concerned about paying fuel bills over the winter.

With this being such a serious issue, Councillor Duffin called on Cabinet to act on this if the Motion was agreed and would take any profits made and put this to deal with the fuel poverty in Thurrock.

Councillor B Rice stated that she would be supporting this very important motion especially in the case of the residents of Thurrock. Councillor B Rice stated that there were schemes available to residents which they should be made aware of. In addition to the Motion, Councillor B Rice would like Cabinet to take on board and get this information out to residents.

Councillor Gledhill stated he would be supporting this motion and agreed that the schemes were very confusing and that the focus would be getting this information out to residents. Residents on benefits would also be advised of what schemes they can apply for. Councillor Gledhill stated that he did not agree on moving money from the solar farm investment into a fund helping people in fuel poverty although a fund for people in fuel poverty would not be ruled out. Investments need to be made to prevent services from being delivered or increases to Council Taxes.

Councillor B Little stated he would be supporting this motion and that prepayment cards to manage fuel poverty had in the past been introduced to prevent fuel debt. Unfortunately over time the costs to top up these cards had increased and those residents were the most vulnerable and now paying the highest tariffs. This Council needed to continue to support the most vulnerable.

Councillor Hebb stated that the new launched Thurrock News email updates could concentrate on the communicating of these sign postings and services to residents and will arrange for Officers to do this for the December edition.

Councillor Aker asked that when Cabinet discuss this item could they look at approving a grant for residents who are given temporary heaters that they are also given a temporary grant to pay for heaters as well.

Councillor Duffin summed up by thanking Members for their support.

The Mayor called a vote on the Motion.

Following a clear majority in favour, the Mayor declared the Motion carried.