Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Dave Wilcox and former Mayoral Chauffeur and Attendant, Mr Peter Gort who had recently passed away.

There were no declarations made.

It was moved by Councillor Anthony McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh that the minutes of the meeting of th Council held on 3 October 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The motion was carried and the Chair was authorised to sign the minutes.

The Deputy Mayor announced that the Mayor’s Civic Dinner would take place on 7 March 2025.

The Leader of the Council announced that:

·       The elected Mayor of the East Midlands was now in place and that he had attended 3 Board Meetings of the County Combined Authority which had now appointed a Deputy Mayor and portfolio holders and work had started on a number of regional strategies.

·       Anna Eastgate had started as the Executive Director for Community Services.

·       Helen Core, the Council’s Head of Housing and Matt Trewartha (Interim Head of Assets) would be leaving shortly.  Vicky Mitchell had been appointed as the permanent Head of Assets from 28 October 2024.

·       The Revitalising Buxton Workshop due to take place on 9 October would be re-scheduled.

·       Leaflets were available to Councillors covering Walks from the 61 Bus, Hayfield.

1.     Question from Jeremy Wight:

The latest data on greenhouse gas emissions broken down by local authority area show that while the total emissions from High Peak that are within the scope of influence of the Council fell by 25% over the 17 years between 2005 and 2022, from 914 to 672 Kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent, this fall of 242 KT is more than accounted for by the reductions due to decarbonisation of the electricity grid, amounting to 284 KT, which is not something for which the Council can take credit.  Overall progress is far short of the reductions required to meet net zero targets and safeguard our climate and the ecosystems on which we all depend.  What is the Council doing to ensure that much faster progress is made in future, consistent with treating climate breakdown as the emergency which it is?

Response from the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and the Environment:

High Peak Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency on October 15th 2019. The declaration commits the Council to become carbon neutral in its internal operations and the services it delivers, by 2030, and to work with partners to help achieve this target for the High Peak as a whole. In response, the Council produced a Climate Change Strategy that focuses both on the Council’s own emissions and also on supporting the reduction of emissions from across the Borough.

The Council recognises the response to climate change is in both mitigation, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation, protecting our Borough, residents, businesses and the natural environment from changing and extreme weather events. 

Understanding the importance of our natural ecoservices, the Council also made a Nature Recovery Declaration in 2023 in recognition of the urgent action that is needed to reverse nature’s decline. The Council has worked with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to develop a Plan for Nature. The Council consulted on the contents of this plan over the summer is currently updating the plan to take account of responses. Following this, the Plan will be taken to members to vote on adoption. 

The greenhouse gas emissions emanating from High Peak are elevated because of the large-scale quarrying activity. Despite the products of this industry being used across the country and beyond, the emissions are recorded as originating from High Peak. The Council has engaged early with the potentially transformative Peak Cluster initiative, which aims to capture, transport and permanently store carbon dioxide emissions from the cement and lime industry.  

The Council’s focus to date has been on reducing its own emissions. A report on the progress over the last 12-months and future actions will be presented to Councillors by the end of the year. Key actions to reduce the Council’s own emissions have been the replacement of gas boilers with air source heat pumps and solar panels at Buxton Leisure Centre and inclusion of energy efficiency in all major refurbishments. Through our strategic partners, our fleet options are being thoroughly tested and trialled, the results of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/16

It was moved by Councillor M. Taylor and seconded by Councillor Hall that members note the External Audit Plan 2023-24.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor M. Taylor and seconded by Councillor Hall that the Annual Treasury Management Report 2023/24 be approved.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor M. Taylor and seconded by Councillor Hall that Members note the current Treasury Management position as at the end of the first quarter 2024/25.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor A. McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh thatthe Council appoints Mr John Berrisford, Miss Victoria Miller and Mr Peter Turner as substitute Independent Persons.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was proposed bt Councillor Grooby and seconded by Councillor Hopkinson that Council notes:

The Labour Governments recent decision to restrict winter fuel payment to only pensioners in receipt of means tested benefits such as pension credit as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The estimated impact of this decision, which age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

The significant role that winter fuel payments play in helping older residents of High Peak and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing the heat or eat dilemmas and safeguarding health.

The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this policy change. The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom will not claim pension credit despite being eligible.

The Government claim that many pensioners do not require the payment is far outweighed by the many thousands who sit just above the cut of for pension credit and will now lose their allowance.

The decision to means-test winter fuel payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionally affect the health and well being of our poorest older residents. Increasing pressure on the already overstretched hospitals.

The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent pensioners from claiming pension credit leaving many without the support they desperately need.

- Request that the Council Leader write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means test winter fuel payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit are protected from fuel poverty.

- Commit the Council to signing the ‘ Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners petition being run by Age UK and write to all members to sign the petition themselves.

- Encourage local efforts to promote uptake through the council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations in High Peak are supported in claiming their entitlement.

An AMENDMENT was proposed by Councillor Collins and seconded by Councillor Lomax that after the first request the following be added:

"Further request that the leader of the Council request that the Chancellor review all benefits to people of pension age and associated application processes, to make the pensioner benefits system and application processes fairer and simpler".

A named vote having being called voting was as follows: