Meeting Details

This meeting will be webcast for live and subsequent broadcast on the Council's You Tube site Live Broadcast Link

This Council strongly opposes the UK Government's recent Winter Fuel Payment policy change. We resolve to write to the Prime Minister, urging the Government to reverse this harmful decision, which will have a far-reaching and devastating impact on pensioner households across the UK. Furthermore, we week assurance that, at the very least, the Pension Credit minimum income guarantee will be increased, ensuring that more low-income pensioner households, particular those who narrowly miss out, become eligible for pension credit.

This Council notes with concern the British Government's decision to pause all funding for City and Growth deals, including the planned Mid-South West Growth Deal which remains uncertain for which advanced preparations have been made on projects leading to the development of a Robotics Automation Innovation Centre at CAFRE; the A29 Cookstown bypass; and a Green Innovation Park at Desertcreat, amongst others.

This Council believes:

• That this announcement is a major blow to the Mid-South West economy and our district, further underlining the lack of understanding and consideration given to the historically significant under investment within this part of our province.
• That this Council and partner Councils have worked tirelessly for several years to drive forward an agreed Mid-South West Growth Plan, which would have stimulated our local economy.
• That the City and Growth Deal funding represents a significant investment in this region, providing substantial socio-economic benefits, including upgrading our transport corridors, creating skilled jobs, and unleashing the full economic potential of the region.

This Council resolves to:

Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP, the Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer MP, urging the British Government to immediately reverse this callous decision and reinstate the funding for the community and economic benefit of all our citizens.