AN ELECTED member has failed in his bid to get Argyll and Bute Council to condemn the UK Government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments.
Councillor Alastair Redman (Independent, Kintyre and the Islands) also wanted the authority to condemn the Scottish Government’s decision to implement the same cut.
His motion, which went before a full council meeting, also called for the authority’s leader Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) to write to government officials opposing the cuts.
But Cllr Lynch put forward an amendment which said that the council would build on work already under way by its welfare rights team, as well as exploring further ways to support residents.
His amendment triumphed on a roll call vote at a full meeting of the council on Thursday, September 26.
Cllr Redman said: “I was completely shocked by the announcement to cut fuel payments. I hoped devolution would work and the Scottish Government would step in and not enact this policy.
“There are so many elderly people in farming and crofting, yet they are struggling in their roles as it is. This money is being taken away from them.
“Universal should mean universal and we owe the elderly generation a great deal. It has always been my belief that they look after us and when we get older we look after them.
“This is a motion which should have brought appeal and support. It is not something from any political party.
“I stand by my motion and do not feel that the amendment is suitable. I would implore all councillors to forget party politics and put your own people first.”
Cllr Lynch responded: “I am a firm believer in action it is in our power to take that can help local people.
“It is true that the decision will affect people in Argyll and Bute. As a council, we should focus on action that we can take, rather than political point scoring.
“Our amendment builds on action that the council is already taking.”
Councillor Audrey Forrest (SNP, Dunoon), who seconded the amendment, added: “What our constituents want from us is action, and I believe that is what this amendment offers.
“It allows us to go ahead and explore everything we can do that will alleviate the situation for our constituents.”
Councillor Peter Wallace (Conservative, Isle of Bute) then said: “The amendment deals with the symptoms rather than the problem.
“We can call on the Scottish Government to fix the A83; why can we not ask them to support pensioners with winter fuel payments?”
Councillor Andrew Vennard (Conservative, Oban North and Lorn) seconded Cllr Redman’s motion.
After a roll call vote among councillors, the amendment prevailed by 21 votes to 11.
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