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Ond mae ynef printsawン moeddwn mae ar winsafar a guudwyr gwbodd yn ni fach ywn sefys beard bod wa duo feid asynna vae It was with great sadness that his council lost as quickly as possible the next expo 26% 22% 24ástico 27% 24% 50% 25% No 25% Djun Nadit connections bydd hwn Joe Wloglen it但 mynd i'r gwyluset dwi'n beginnaeth bereid i cyn le Diamond maf suffering of mynd i bernod i'r Lathissio ll satelliteart au cael ojosol a whancodnem cael cael oed raises matafad, cael c 영화ol głot시�oid a borg na masoflawn ypaang a ritygio weda guarch o facelot il oestus ac gy candle butyan a loll investing ni'n hyn nhwstig yn И y dri enw togymth本 yn yng Nghydd headwnaeth g' musica hyn yn wneud gyda'r sgwy templ blade. I scratches mynd ysteau da yng Nghymru. Yn â cyfle发adeiant ceith enw Round Table. U fel wedyn cho o'o gyda llunain o Dylchysyd Jones o febid yna ceith responsive, o'n daeffodio ondo i ddefny? 'n mynd sy dibluaordd sy'n ast yn gเปh scald som employers bo п�� nhw'n gயllun mewn i a'n f Pierreminister o SablebDIA, oASE Bourrai'n barhadeau eraill o Rhojd lŭste labhadeau Waidphem un o'r am arall atos ni na libfa satioredu cwortau, busyedrio wedi'ch meddwl ynNow ond yn медflod? Allan anony mummywydd dŐaint francionth ond yn dis authentication neu rhw cheer'n lle wereddwn, fwy Families Rydyn – sy'n g взawd a bod yn dzenn jer加 yernaid a pe서�wedd. Tu, cael arall,icieu dysdu? Cynnius Cody a'r rhwch��rysfel o Worau, a £2 fairs ond seven council bus runs, seven council run bus services, ac cael 350,000 passengers per year. We will continue to ensure green waste is collected at no charge to residents and will main free parking on many thousand parking spaces across the borough as well as keep council tax as low as we can. And it vitally, as part of our pledge commitments, we've protected and helped the most vulnerable in our community. This has included warmth, support for pensioners this winter. One of the first things I asked our council team to do was get in touch with over 600 pensioners who are entitled to claim pension credit, but weren't doing so. We've also announced that we'll use almost 600,000 household support funding to provide nearly 6,000 local pensioners with £100 to support them through the winter. And over the coming weeks we'll continue to ensure all the residents and the community know about the wide range of support and offer from the council and our trusty partners through the cold winter months. Folks, we're living through undoubtedly challenging times, but I want to make this assurance to everyone. Despite some of the difficulties we face with the right ethos and ethics, we have plenty of reason for optimism as we head towards Christmas and a brand new year, which we hope will bring further opportunities and success as we continue to deliver our vision to protect care and invest to create a better telephone region. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Leader. I now move on to Councillor Ian Pris. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many engagements that has taken place since the last council meeting in July, all of which are noted in the list that's been circulated. These engagements are not only an honor for me to attend, but it's also a reflection of the vibrant community and its on-growing growth and unity. Since July, both the Deputy Mayor and I have had the privilege to attend a large number of events across Telford and Reacon. These summer, for instance, the Bloom Festival will be one of the highlights. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the event team for organising this fantastic activity. It's events like this that bring us together and remind us of the strength and spirit within our community. I also have had the pleasure to attend the opening of seven new businesses, which is always heartening to witness new ventures unfolding our town, creating opportunities for residents and boosting our local economy. On a personal note, some of you may know that had to postpone my charity launch due to an unexpected injury. I was very much keen to see you all there, but please keep a watch for the new date in the new year. I'd love to see you all there. I'd also like to extend my gratitude for the Deputy Mayor Eileen, who's represented me on numerous events in my absence. Her dedication has been invaluable. I've had the honour of joining many of you at our Remembrance Services across the borough. These services are a powerful reminder of the sacrifice made by those who fought for our freedom. It was moving to see our communities come together and reflect and pay tribute to those who have served. As we approach the festive season, I'm excited about the engagements ahead and the opportunity to connect with more residents. Celebrate in our achievements and support in the community initiatives. Thank you for your continued support and it's been a privilege serving you as Mayor so far. Thank you. Thank you, Mr Mayor. Thank you, Mr Mayor. We now move on to item 7. Questions from Councillors. We have six questions this evening. I would like to remind members that questions are circulated in advance and are also available in front of you. There are 30 minutes allowed for these questions, so I would encourage members to be mindful of this so that everyone can ask their question. My councillor Cerder is not here, so I ask if councillor Bill Tomlinson would like to move that question. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As stated under civil enforcement of parking conventions, a scheme, telephone and reeking councillor adopted in 2022, the councillor appears to have enforcement powers to address traffic obstructions and payment parking under section 62 and 92. Can the cabinet member responsible for enforcement clarify if a councillor does indeed have such enforcement powers and will neighbourhood enforcement officers take action against offenders, particularly in well-known hot spots such as those found in my ward of Newport, South. Councillor Overton. Thank you, Councillor Tomlinson for your question. I'll be off of Councillor Yankee. Members of this councillor will be aware that the councillor has a range of enforcement powers that supports both residents and businesses while taking those who don't play by the wheels to task. Well, legal orders exist such as WL Alliance or the parking restrictions, which includes payment parking. The councillor's neighbourhood enforcement officers can and do enforce where contraventions are found. Our enforcement officers work hard to ensure that residents' restrictions apply, they are dear to and penalties issued where necessary. Members of this chamber will be familiar with the successful partnership that we have in place with partnering town and parish councils across the bullet. It is disappointing that early this year, Newport 10 Council and I believe Councillor Yankee decided to cut their enhanced enforcement package as part of the community action team partnership that we have available. This could be a contributing factor to the hot spots Councillor Yankee outlines. With that in mind and considering my response to the question, I owe ward members from Newport and I support you to refer the discussions with the town council to increase enhancement package and make a tangible difference locally. I know that thanks to Labour councillor Eija Keen, the town council are keen to look at now extending this provision. Councillor Thomson, do you have a supplementary question? Okay, thank you. We move on. Councillor Eid, would you ask your question to Councillor Lee Carter? Can I remind you to use the right button, please? Yes, thank you, thank you, Speaker. Following them from questions I raised at the full council meeting of Thursday 29th February to the then Cabinet Member for Economy and Neighborhood Services who is now the leader of the council concerning severe flooding at Church Aston. Would Councillor Carter give an update on the outcome of promises he made in response to my questions? Thank you, Councillor Eid, for your question. I know your commitment locally is an important issue. Since your previous question earlier this year I can confirm that with my oversight the councillors relentlessly continue to work the landowner representatives to push for a solution at the earliest opportunity. We had regular contact from the point of the February council meeting which resulted in assurances being given that work would start in April. It quickly became clear that the landowners were not acting with a required pace, hence why we then issued a letter before action in July that stated the council would actively progress enforcement action utilising the relevant powers of the land drainage act. If a robust and timely plan to resolve the issue was not implemented. As a result I can confirm the landowner set out of number of actions and associated timescales. I've been personally tracking progress of these actions on a regular basis to ensure a satisfactory outcome is achieved at the earliest opportunity. Last week the landowner confirmed that they are on track to complete the improvement works in November and have appointed a contractor. The slight delay has been associated with the harvest in October. I just want to assure you that myself and this chamber—sorry I want to assure you and this chamber that the council will continue to ensure that this work will be undertaken. And if not we will take the most robust legal approach we can using the powers that are disposal. I understand the officers have been keeping you informed on progress but if you need any further updates I'll ensure these are provided. Okay thank you Councillor Eid. Do you have a supplementary question? Can I first of all thank Councillor Carter for his involvement in this to try and get this issue resolved which is having quite a devastating effect on local local ward members. The owners and their tenants have indicated that field rains would be repaired by October 25th or after the crops have been harvested from that field. As both of those trigger points have now passed and indeed new crops were sown on November 3rd after the original crop was harvested it seems to indicate no real intention of repairing the damaged field rains. Consequently I wonder if Councillor Carter would confirm that following on from what he's just said that this council will act within the legal powers it has to take enforcement action against the field's owners and if necessary commission the necessary work involved and recharge the landowners for the cost of any works accordingly and whether that could be done as a matter of urgency certainly with the onset of winter. Thank you Councillor Eid and it's really disappointing that this instance of private land owners not appear to do what they've told us that they will do that's why we've put the most robust legal approach that we can in place I'll pick that up as a matter of urgency this evening in fact to make sure we do that and we'll pursue every avenue that we possibly can to get those owners to do the work that they've promised to do. All right thank you. Okay did you hear that Councillor Carter you thanks for that reply. Okay I wish to invite Councillor Dogmall to ask his question of Councillor Huntington and can I remind you to press the right hand button. Yes by how much will the 31st October budget measures increase annual employment costs for Telfer to Reaking Council based on the current number of employees? Thank you Councillor Dogmall for your question there will be no additional cost as the government will be funding it. Do you have a supplementary question Councillor Dogmall? Yes so will that support be extended to the council contractors or are we going to end up with extra costs and therefore a reduction in the services? There won't be a reduction in services no. All right thank you all right I wish to invite Councillor Turell to ask her a question to Councillor Carter please can I remind you to use the right hand button. Thank you Mr Speaker. This council will recall I raised the issue of the ongoing environmental issues at the potter's landfill site at Granville at our previous meeting on the 18th of July. Residents do continue to suffer please can the leader write to the environment agency and the secretary of state for the environment food and rural affairs to review the operation and license of this site. I won't read that the rest of the question because I think it's summarised in there thank you. All right thank you Councillor Overton. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you Councillor Turell for your question and your commitment to working with the council to resolve this concern for residents. I will answer the lead cabinet member for environmental protection. I'm sorry to hear residents are continuing to report offensive orders from this site to you. The council is in regular contact with the environment agency who are the lead agency for landfill operations such as Red Hill. The environment agency confirmed that they were that they inspected at the end of November and continue to actively regulate the end of October that is and continue to actively regulate the operator under the permit. I would encourage residents to continue to report orders directly to the environment agency. Back in March the council wrote to the secretary of state for the environment food and rural affairs who may at the time have been focused on other priorities but are more than happy to write to the Labour Government and that's for their support in dealing with landfill challenges to what we have here in Arboura. Councillor Turell do you have a supplementary question? Thank you. Is this also an opportune time to review the planning application which was granted with regard to the operation of the site until 2030? I refer into the decision notice in November 2021 and does the site continue to comply with the conditions of that decision notice? Thank you, Councillor Turell. I am sure that if the site didn't comply with the decision notice that our planning force would be on to that. I will speak to them to make sure that they are checking on that as well. Thank you. Councillor Turell, would you like to ask you a question of Councillor Vickers? Thank you, Mr Speaker. The procurement act 2023 came into force on 1 October and aims to reset EU-based law and simplify public sector tendering procedures. The introduction of the act followed a lengthy period of public consultation which commenced with a publication of a green paper transforming public procurement. I'll skim over this because I apologise it is quite long in the interest of saving some time to get to the point. I refer into the British Chamber of Commerce procurement tracker which is based on various data and that revealed that just 20 per cent of direct procurement was awarded to SMEs last year. This act places a shift from pure economic values to social values and other factors. This means considering the wider benefits for the community such as creating local employment opportunities, carbon emission reduction using a local supply chain. Given that the chancellor in her budget sought to place the highest increased tax burden on employers and business, what can this council do to support our local businesses to ensure our local economy thrives? In particular, also create an opportunity for less traditional business entities. Thank you. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you, Councillor Tural for your question. The new procurement act does remove bureaucratic barriers for smaller local businesses, meaning they can potentially compete for more procurement opportunities. These procurement opportunities will have better visibility to enable small and local organisations to search for potential future business more easily. The procurement team are currently undertaken a programme of change to ensure the requirement of the new act are complied with, including greater transparency of opportunity for local businesses. This includes revising documentation and signposting train opportunities to all council staff. This will help ensure staff comply with the new act, which in turn should offer greater opportunities for all local businesses. In addition, the council is currently refreshing its social value offer to ensure the council is realising its maximum social value, which will include local opportunities and benefits, including support on climate change action measures, employment, and upskilling local people. Thank you, Councillor Tural, do you have a supplementary question? Thank you for that answer, Councillor Vickers. I'm pleased to hear that this has prompted a review of those new procedures and new possibilities for local business and beyond traditional businesses. Can I ask what percentage of Telford and Reaking contracts or how many were awarded directly to local SMEs within the borough, and how do we see the provisions of the act changing that in the future? I accept you may need to come back to me on that. Thank you, Councillor Tural, for your question. I will find out the exact figure and get back to you on that. But I've got to say, I do find it a little surprising that you're asking about business support, given that the Conservative group on this council has never supported this administration's pride in a high street programme, which has been a huge success. 367 grants awarded to support small businesses, 65 new start-ups on our high streets, and we're booking the national trend on empty shop units by a mile. Time and time again, councillors from the Conservative group bring questions to this chamber in an attempt to score cheap political points. When it comes to delivering for the people of Telford and Reaking, they simply are not interested. Thank you. I'd like to invite Councillor Jarls Looter to ask his question to Councillor Vickers, and again Councillor Looter, can I remind you to use the right hand button to speak? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'd like to ask councillors the Vickers. After working with the council to help reinstate council run bus services from my ward to Wellington Centre and the Princess Royal Hospital, I welcome the council's decision to cap council run bus service fairs with just £2 for adults and £1 for children. Can you confirm how many residents across Telford and Reaking will benefit from the continued two fair cap? I'd like to begin by thanking Councillor Jarls Looter for his question and for all of his hard work, successfully campaigning for a new bus route between his ward in Arkel to the Princess Royal Hospital and Wellington Town Centre. Members of this council will recall the bold decision this Labour administration took over two years ago to tender new bus services to ensure we have well-connected communities from rural and urban residential areas connecting with key education and employment destinations, as well as links to the Princess Royal Hospital and local centres, including Wellington, Maidly and Newport. Despite opposition from the Conservative group on this council, we have now seen seven council operated bus routes with fairs capped at £2 for adults and £1 for children, and this fair structure was up and running long before the previous Government introduced the national fair cap in January 2023. Since December 2022, our bus routes have completed over 350,000 passenger trips with patronage increasing month on month. The 100 or the work expresses its known, connects residential areas to our main employment sites and runs from 5am in the morning to 11pm at night. A resident told me recently that on introduction of this service alone, they save £100 a week on travel costs to work, fast forward two years and that same person has saved the money which has been used as a deposit to buy their first home. It's more than just buses, fairs and passenger trips. These routes are the arteries of our borough, and I'm proud that this Labour administration continues to support our residents and local businesses as we maintain our focus on improving connectivity for all. This council also welcomes the new Labour Government's £1 billion funding boost for buses in areas like Telford and Reacon, as well as their commitment to local authorities to allow them to take buses back into their control in the future. Councillor Llyuter, do you have a supplementary question? Councillor Llyuter, thank you. Right, I now move on to item 8. The cabinet decision is made since the last meeting of the council, and again, I would remind members that these should be questions of clarity only on items marked as key decisions on the report. Are there any questions of clarifications? That's not debate from members. All right, no questions of clarity. Thank you. Item 9, I would like to invite Councillor Hanyngton to propose the financial monitoring report. Thank you, Mr Speaker. This financial monitoring report provides the latest information in relation to the projected out-term position for 2024, 2025 against the approved budget. Nationally, councils continue to face extreme challenges with unprecedented pressures, driven by high costs and high demand for services, particularly in adult social care, children safeguarding the school travel assistance. The projected year-end revenue position is summarised at 4.1.8 in the report. Before use of contingencies, we have a projected overspender of 4.498 million at year-end. Fortunately, due to our good financial planning and management, we have a one-off contingency earmark specifically for social care pressures of 1.9, 5.9 million, which together with the use of part of the general budget contingency brings the overall position into balance. The general budget contingency will have a residual balance of 1.4 million after meeting the in-year pressures. The key pressure continues to be adult social care, which is currently showing additional investment being required of 4.3 million, relating to the cost of providing care packages across all client groups. The service continues to work on delivering care, which maximises prevention and independence where possible prioritising looking after the most vulnerable in our community. It is pleasing that we have not had to use any of the budget strategy reserve, which remains at 21.7 million. The capital programme totals 102.4 million, schemes are in progress and spend is currently projected to be in line with budget at year-end. Appendix C shows the changes to the capital programme, which includes new allocations, slippage into future years and environments. These require formal approval at full council. Despite the pressures identified, we are in as good a position as possible due to our strong financial management and budget planning. The council has an excellent track record of managing its financial position and work will continue during 2024 to 2025 to manage budgets effectively and addressing year pressures. I move the recommendation. All right, thank you. Councillor Overton, will you second? I formally second, Mr Speaker. Thank you. Are there any questions or comments relating to the report? Councillor Thomson, are you—yes, you— I'm not supposed to stand, Speaker. I never can remember. The constitution says, yes, I am told. Then I will. I can't remember you saying. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I commend the local authority on being able to balance its budgets, and it was also an honour and a privilege today to beat the Employee Awards, where members of the financial team were awarded special awards, particularly part of their efforts to keep us all on track. I think it's wonderful. It was wonderful going to those awards, and I commend the authority on doing that. Each local authority on down the country has got the same financial pressures pretty much. We've managed to hold ours instead. If I only go look at our neighbours in structure, we might be some of the decisions they're conservative administration have made, not to mention the retail investment, which may not look so good as it used to be. Tonight just out badly can go, so I really am grateful for what we've done. I'm also hoping that whether you believe it or not, that we're all going to write to Father Christmas, or maybe the chance to see what we do get when the budget settlement comes with the Labor Government now in charge. It has been generous with regard to the NHS, an extra funding for that, and the system that was broke, but we're all aware that the particularly adult financial services and children's as well, but those really are really needed of cash. Otherwise, it's going to be there into us to try and find out where we can from Council tax to fund those. So, as much as we can, to influence that decision to help us out as a local authority, I really would appreciate, but I welcome the report as before us. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you. Are there any other comments? Councillor Doughmore. Thank you. Just a couple of questions on page 8, 5.3.2. This says there is a contingency amount held centrally for contractual and pay inflation. Could you give us the amount that is the size of that contingency? And also an up-to-date on the amount of money that's held back to pay equality between the sexes? And also just a comment that the budget measures are going to increase care costs, so the overspend on social care is going to get significantly higher in the years to come. Thank you, Councillor Doughmore. I'll come back to you with those figures. In terms of adult social care, we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and the service is working on delivering care, which maximises prevention and independence, where possible prioritising looking after the most vulnerable in our community. All right, thank you. Councillor Overton, do you wish to say anything? No, all right, thank you. Councillor Hanley, do you have anything to add? No, thank you. Members are asked to approve the recommendation, said I'll imparrograph one of the report. Can I show over hands in favour, please? Thank you. Any against? Abstentions? Two, the three that I call four? Right, thank you. That is carried. Right, moving on to item 10, I would like to invite Councillor Morgan to propose this item. That's the Treasury Management annual report. Happy to propose. Thank you. Councillor Hanley, would you like to second? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I second the report. Okay, thank you. Are there any questions or comments relating to the report? None. Okay, Councillor Hanley, would you like to add anything? No, thank you. Councillor Morgan, do you have anything to add? No, thank you. Can I have a show of hands in favour, please? Thank you. Any against? Abstentions? A number? All right, that is carried. Thank you. We now move on to item 11, recommendations from committees and boards. I would like to invite Councillor Thompson to propose the recommendation. Proposing the review of the statement of the gambling licensing policy, it is statutory requirement to review the council statement of gambling licensing policy every three years with the current gambling policy due to expire on the 31st of January 2025. The review has been undertaken by the public protection and the revised document has been considered by the licensing committee on the 24th of November where it was approved and to go before the full council for adoption. A consultation was carried out between the 22nd of July, 24 to the 23rd of September, 24. No representations received from any consultation or members of the public. The policy, if approved by full council, will be published on January the 6th 2025 and will take effect from the 31st of January 2025. Thank you, Mr Speaker. All right, thank you. Councillor Handley, you have the, was the second? Yeah, I second that. Okay, thank you. Are there any questions or comments on the report? No? Oh, I can't see your microphone, so I didn't know you were. I think you should go to spec, so he was too. There are other opticians. It's an oversight to mine because I have a gambling license. Very good. Do we note that? Yeah, go on then. So, Councillor Bentley, if you're disclosing an interest, I'd advise you to leave the room and not participate any further and not participate in the vote and return once this item is concluded. Okay, thank you. Are there any other questions or comments? No? Okay, Councillor Handley, do you wish to add anything? Thank you. Councillor Thompson, do you have anything to add? I don't know how you'd go in the comments, but the child's opticians in Open Gates is an excellent opticians as well. I've already done that. Okay, can I have a show of hands in favour, please? Thank you. Any against? None, any abstentions? Right, that is carried. Yes, go on, call him in. Okay, item 12 is notices of motions. 12 A, can Councillor Middleton move the motion as detailed in the agenda and shown on your desks? This council fully recognises the challenge in economic situation after 14 years of conservative government. This council fully supports the new Labour government in dealing with a £22 billion black hole left in the Treasury finances by the Conservatives and understands that tough decisions need to be taken. Following the announcement that only those in receipt a pension credit will continue to see winter fuel payments, we are considering that some pensioners that are just above the threshold have been able to claim pension credit may be the most disadvantaged. That is why the Labour council has decided to provide £100 supermarket vouchers to nearly £6,000 pensioners across Telford and Reakin from the House of Support Fund. To ensure the support is available for our most vulnerable residents, not only those on guaranteed pension credit, but those are just above the threshold. This council over the last couple of months has worked hard to ensure pensioners are aware of what benefits they are entitled to. We have written to 600 residents that we now are entitled to claim and supported them to access and apply for pension credit, which has seen a much higher than usual uptaking claims as a result. We have been adding to the community settings and support pensioners to see if they are entitled to claim and will be attending more venues scheduled in soon. We have updated the pensioners' financial assistance booklet and delivered it to many community settings and to our 75 customers who use our home delivery library service. We have uplifted funding to aid UK to provide an extra member of staff for four days a week until the end of the year, helping pensioners independently check if they are eligible to claim pension credit, which is entitled them to free prescriptions and winter fuel payments. We will also be investing to tell for the energy advice line for another two years to help people reduce their bills and support them to be more energy efficient. We will continue to be on the side of pensioners and support helping them claim what they are entitled to, and we will encourage people to claim by the deadline to receive winter fuel payments, which is the 21st of December. We ask this Government to take steps to support pensioners to keep the triple lock, and the state pension has increased every year. I move this motion. Thank you, Councillor Overton. Do you wish to second? I will second and reserve my vote to speak. All right, thank you. Are there any questions, comments? All right, Councillor Paul Davis. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you to Councillor Middleton for putting forward this motion. Addressing a 22 billion gap in public finances is certainly a huge challenge for the Government. It's not a situation that they should have had to inherit, but I am confident they will tackle it, despite the difficult choices before them. Our priority here in Telford and Reek in, however, is to continue to support our residents in the best way that we can. Our pensioners are no exception. So I'm pleased to see that this motion before us this evening, I'm confident that the dedicated efforts of our officers and partner organisations across the borough will support our pensioners by keeping them informed of changes by ensuring that those 6,000 pensioners are offered those hundred-pound in vouchers, and furthermore that our pensioners are supported to complete an independently-independent eligibility check for pension credit. This Labour Administration's response is a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to work for and on behalf of our residents, and it should be applauded. I urge all pensioners that haven't already checked their eligibility to contact age UK or attend the many future community sessions that are being put in place. I know that Councillor Cook and I will be dedicated to directing pensioners across Haygate and Park in our wards to check their eligibility, as I'm sure others will also do. It's particularly important to reach as many pensioners as possible with the deadline to claiming pension credit being December 21st. Members, this motion truly upholds the values of this Labour Administration's commitment to protect, care and invest for our residents, and I encourage everyone present to support it. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Carrington, Winston. Thank you, Chair. Obviously, it was a great disappointment that this had to happen. I'm glad that there are things being put in place by this council. What we would be concerned about is the people who are just above that threshold who can't get pension credit. Now, I work a lot with a lot of old people, and a lot of them don't do Facebook, and unless you actually do a flyer and put it through their front door, and a lot don't attend a lot of age UK or any lunch clubs or whatever, some are housebound, some just don't want to go some of these activities. So it's just a concern really that how are we going to actually reach some of those people who are above that threshold who can't have pension credit? How are we going to check that they are eligible? How do we contact them? I can understand what Councillor Davies has said, but unless we physically go around delivering leaflets to people to let them know, a lot of them will only actually read hard copies and can't do IT, I'm afraid. So that's just a concern of us. Thank you. Councillor Bill Tomlinson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I really welcome the initiative that the Council have made to give this money out. It's very much welcome to those people. When I've got to get involved in the past with my mom, sadly passed away now, on my auntie, when councils had more money, which unfortunate I haven't now, they actually had in Birmingham and in Warsaw, welfare, rights departments, which basically helped people to claim certain benefits, not necessarily from the council, but from the DWP, and as the council saw it, songs that can get the money, it helps the council out in paying for its services. So I am really grateful that we are at least through IJukai and through the promotion material that we can do, that we can try and encourage people, as many people as we can, to climb pension credit. But there is one other one, which many old people aren't aware of, and we can help them, or at least make them aware of it, if they do get into our system, maybe if they don't, we could try and make them aware. That's attendance allowance. Attendance allowance is payable when you need help and support in your home, for things like shopping or washing, all these things, which social services don't necessarily cover, but the government will pay it out. I don't know how IJukai passed locally where we lived, of how people fill out, very often these days, they are online, and that scares a lot of people from even starting off. It certainly doesn't mean I have to ask my wife to go anything, it was online, because on the dinosaur, maybe a friendly dinosaur, or a dinosaur, never the less. So as much as we can, if we could also steer people, not only with pension credit, but attendance allowance, people are often, or in a completely unaware, either they can claim it, if they are able to receive and support in their own home, and be the actual activity of making these claims. I mean, somebody once said to me that the pension credit form has got 197 separate questions, which you can imagine if you have a certain age, it's daunting. So as much support we can give to elderly people, particularly, to climb all these allowments, is that they are entitled to, which don't cost us a penny, and it helps us support the services that we've got. I will very much welcome that. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Okay, thank you. Councillor Duckmore. Yeah, thank you, Mr Speaker. This motion is inaccurate on several points. To start with, it states, this council fully pledges to do all it counts as support local pensioners. It's his supporting in some ways, but if that were true, and that it fully pledges, well then it will pledge to reinstate the winter fuel payments immediately. The heartless labour governments as supported by the administration doesn't even give pensioners the chance to budget for this lost payment by stopping it immediately. The administration then cries crocodile tears and throws Teflon Regan pensioners a few quid to shut them up, which quite frankly is shameful. Yes, the triple lock does increase the state pension, but not for another six months. In the spring, Teflon Regan pensioners will have to survive the winter first to benefit from that. The motion says that the council recognizes the fictitious 22 billion pound black home. Well, who should we believe? The independent office of budget responsibility often quoted by labour politicians before the election has been reliable source and independent who say that the true figure is less than half that? Or do we believe the administration with their wealth of financial experience? I know who I believe. Surely with such large sums involved, it will be prudent not to spend money on unproductive pay rises for public workers. If you're in the hole, the advice is not to stop digging. Mr Speaker, I propose an amendment to the motion, changing the second paragraph, and sorry, the third paragraph, to amend this council, ask the leader and the cabinet to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, asking that the winter fuel allowance be reinstated in full. Will the provoser and second not support that? Yes, I am advised that the deadline for the amendment was 2pm today, so that is not acceptable. We will move on, Councillor Tim Nelson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will just reiterate the observation made by my colleague, Councillor Dougmore, in respect of fully endorsing 22 million pound black holes. I mean, he mentions the office of budget responsibility and to not fully endorse the 22 billion is essentially to take the word of the head of the OBR and he was asked about financial black holes and he replied, I am an economist, not an astronomer. So much for cosmology, as for unidentified public liabilities, the OBR reported a figure of 9.5 billion, not 22 billion. So the motion appears numerically wrong and can't be supported on that basis. The difference between the two figures relates to money this Government has spent on public sector pay awards, no matter the origins of the pay awards, nor the levels advised this Government chose to spend the money. Mr Speaker, I do not know individually how well off or otherwise the pensioners in my ward are. I suspect many of us. We may not know individually how well off all our pensioners are. Likewise, the pensioners in our respective constituencies, you may perhaps join me in agreeing that some of them will save up for things all year, including going without other expenditures to provide for some reward of their own choosing, upon which they wish to spend their own money. Will you therefore, Mr Speaker, also join me in my frustration that one of our colleagues should take it on himself to decide how his residents should spend their money, doubt them for taking a modest and well-earned holiday in Benidorm or Porto. And then it sounded like comparing them with these rich as Lord Sugar. This was shameful. And indeed Sir Kirstama has said only today that he is not about to say to people how they should live their lives. And to reiterate again what my colleague Councillor Dugmore has said, if the Council is sincere in its pledge to do all it can for local pensioners, that includes all pensioners. It should call on the Government to restore universal winter fuel allowance. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Collier. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'm disappointed, but not surprised that a member of the opposition is now trying to divert attention away from the dire financial situation that the last Government left our present Government in, and all of the pensioners that would actually be involved in that last 14 years of disastrous conservative rule. I do, however, completely support this motion. I think this is a really important piece of support for a number of pensioners across our borough. I took part in some advice sessions myself to speak to local pensioners to ensure that they were able to claim all of the various support that they were entitled to, such as pension credit, and they were very grateful for that support. And I'm sure this £100 will go a long way to ensuring that they are more secure this winter. I just want to add that, obviously, on top of this £100, there are a number of other services that people use to make sure that we can support our local pensioners. Not only from the borough council, but also from town and parish councils, councils are pride funding. I know many of us use our pride funding to support various sessions that people use through the winter and lots of other sources, so I thoroughly support the motion. I thank Councillor Middleton for bringing it. All right, Councillor McLemans. Thank you, Speaker. I welcome this motion tonight and wholeheartedly support it. It reminds us all that this administration remains on the side of residents, and I'm pleased. I'm reassured that we remain committed to offering support and advice to elderly residents who would qualify for pension credit and currently not claiming it. And I would like to thank my Cabinet member, Councillor Kelly Middleton and all the officers in the benefits team for all their hard work in ensuring that we continue to support our vulnerable and elderly pensioners. They have done an amazing job in a very short time and have gone above and beyond. I run a welcoming space at Olston community centre every Tuesday morning and would like to thank our pension credit advice team for coming along last week to the centre to offer their support to Olston and college pensioners who came along to seek advice. They were all very appreciative of the help given. But let's be clear, even senior Conservatives admit Labour is having to clean up the mess they left behind. We, Quasi Quartang recently quoted as saying, in quotes, we tore his after, be honest, Rachel Reeves is dealing with our mess end of quotes. How true is that? Our Government is unfortunately having to try and restore some stability and get the country's finances back on track. And I'll say yes with a 22 billion black hole or whatever number anyone wants to come up with. But that's after 14 years of mismanagement, chaos and division. And with so many Prime Ministers that I've lost count. At no time during that 14 years did the Conservative opposition of this Council challenge or question their own Government? They just rolled over and let it happen. Thank you. Councillor Eid. May I just work in? Yeah, so it is. I find myself in the unlikely position of actually supporting Unites and trade union, which you're implacably opposed to what we've just been speaking about. But where to start and respond to this motion is a real problem. As well as broadly agreeing with the sentiments expressed within the final paragraph of the motion, it is clearly not enough. It doesn't go far enough. The remainder of the motion is sheer hypocrisy, with little more than trying to put a gloss on what is the most shambolic and worst government that I've ever seen. Who have instigated? Who have instigated? Who have instigated? I'm watching levels of borrowing and taxation. The list of issues concerning credibility, truthfulness, competence, seem endless and range from trying to destroy family farming and endanger food security, something not even mentioned in the council's local plan, despite it being two thirds rural. And all of this is followed by two tier freebies, two tier policing, two tier standards, public sector and private sector being set against each other. Despite promises to the country, the country, that hikes could see 3,000 school children flurred into other schools, something which may adversely affect children with special educational needs. And of course, is a broken promise on the level of student's fees, which at one point we're actually going to be cut. Order, as such by the current Prime Minister and his Chancellor. National insurance hikes on employers is a tax on jobs and will simply hit employment, including those so-called working people, whoever or whatever they may be, and of course wages, company profits, employment and especially growth. Something Starmer and Reeve pledged would pay for expenditure on public services. Councillor Eid there's been a point of order. Could you ask you to make a point of order? I said I do in a political campaign during the full council. Talk about the motion we're talking about. Okay, that's not a point of order, thank you. However, and this is a choice made by the Chancellor and the Prime Minister, it is a truly vindictive and shameful debacle over winter fuel allowance, with which I find sad, staggering, brutal, horrifying and something which Labour's own figures forecast could cause 4,000 deaths and for what? It's a cheaper to blanket benefits such as fuel allowance and the savings that the— Would you please wind up? Well, I was interrupted, I'd rather hopefully— We take an account of the interruptions. Okay, I personally hold in not a contempt, so it's cowardly MPs who voted in favour of this truly wrong piece of work. And for what, you know, a mythical black hole, which clearly doesn't exist, I'm sure there are Labour members here. Okay, can you finish that? Can you finish that? I'm extremely unhappy with this situation, and I urge them to join it, and join me tonight, join me with everybody. This is clearly a wrong policy. Thank you, your time is up. Thank you. All right, Councillor Morgan. Thank you, Mr Speaker. There's some words there that really hypocrisy, incompetence. I'm just astounded, to be honest. We all know that there was an overspend projection. The OBR said £9.5 billion to February. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but we've got until July, we had more year left than we did money, and that £22 billion has been accounted for many, many times. The Conservatives have dined out for 30 years on a playful letter that was put in a draw of the next Chancellor to say there was no money left. 30 years is all we've heard. We've been in government for less than 200 days, and we keep hearing the same attacks over and over again, and you've abstained on every single financial decision, since I became a Councillor, you cannot decide to say that it's shameful that we're helping pensioners with what Kelly has put forward. I mean, the amazing hard work that she's put in and everybody has put in, and you're saying it's shameful, but you've abstained against every financial decision that we have made. It's not on, and I genuinely, the skirmongering that's gone on today is absolutely horrifying, it really is. Thank you, Councillor Shirley Reynolds, you can remain seated. Mr Speaker, I was hoping you would have to say that. I can only just reiterate the shame for comments after the behaviour and the actions of the former government for the last 14 years, and the comments I'm hearing from down the bottom of the chamber, I just can't believe it really. This Government, New Labour Government, does face a 22 billion black hole, they've been left with by your party, but we, this Labour Administration, will continue to support our residents. We will provide help and assistance in many ways, whether that's through Council Tax Reduction, Emergency Welfare Resettlement Assistance, Household Support Fund, Emergency Welfare Assistant, Discretionary Housing Payments, Council Tax hardship schemes, the Telford Energy Advice Services, the discounted swimming, our happy, healthy active holiday scheme, urban gains, children leisure facilities and activities for £2, our concessionary travel scheme, our free car parking across all our borough towns, our free collection of green waste. I think that's happening somewhere else. Oh no, it's not. And all, of course, we've got the lowest Council Tax in the region, even though we face severe cuts of over £150 million from your previous Government. These all provide direct support to residents, but we also provide additional targeted funding which help residents with the excellent work of the Telford Crisis Support Centre, the Citizens Advice and age UK. But our help and support does not stop there. We work with our partners and third sector agencies, and this might be through providing calm cafes, veterans cafes, youth clubs, warm and welcoming spaces. We only heard tonight of a new youth club that's just opened up in Austin. These happen at various community venues. I could go on, but sadly, we should note that the funding for all these activities were not supported by our Conservative colleagues in our budget. It's the Labour Government that introduced the Winterfuel Payments, and these continue for all pensioners in receipt of pension credit. We're working hard to ensure all pensioners who may be eligible will get that support. We've been raising awareness, telephone lines. We've been writing to residents. We're conscious that people don't all go through technology. We've held road shows to help and we actually help them complete the forms. This Labour Administration has also pledged to provide 6,000 pensioners without support vouchers throughout the winter to help the most vulnerable residents. We are on their side. They know that actions speak louder than words, and I'm hoping the opposition will support our next budget, a budget which will continue to protect, care and invest, providing support for our residents in so many ways. I do welcome the increase in the state pension by up to £170 a year and the extension of the House Health Support Fund. I encourage the Government to assess the support which can be provided to those just above the pension credit by therefore support the motion. Thank you. Councillor Overton, do you have any brief comments? Thank you, Mr Speaker. This Council is doing all it can to support our older residents. We now know that the Conservatives hid the true state of the country's finances as independently stated by the Office of Budget Responsibility, which they keep quoting. With a £22 billion black hole and despite knowing this, campaigned at the election on-costed pledges, that was an utter disgrace. Who knows, maybe, we would be in a better place. If they hadn't squandered billions on dodgy PPE contracts to their friends, so it's their crocodile tears that they quail fell when the new Labour Government tries to fix the foundations of the mess they left behind. They are doing what they need to do to balance the books, but tough decisions have been needed to fix the mess, and that is why this Labour administration will always be on the side of our residents as we have been since 2011. Since the announcement of on winter fuel, we have been proactively contacting pensioners who we believe are eligible to sign them up to pension credit, plus signposting them to other areas of support, like improvements to their home to make them warmer. We are maintaining our leisure and travel discounts, and more importantly giving 6,000 pensioners a £100 shopping voucher. It shows our commitment to protect, care and invest. We are a cooperative council that cares, and we know, despite the difficult decisions being taken to balance the country's finances, we have a Government that cares too. The increase in the pension next year by up to £420 will do a lot to help our pensioners. The extension of the household support fund is another positive step, but as this motion shows, we will always be the voice of our residents, so we will encourage our Government to make sure that pensioners, who may just be above the pension credit threshold, feel they are supported too. I second motion. Thank you. Councillor Middleton, but before that, just remind Councillor Bentley that the debate is finished, we are now into the responses. It is finished. Thank you. Councillor Middleton. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Just on a couple of points, Councillor Thomson letters are being sent from both ourselves and DWP, so people will be contacted in writing as well. I love that letter through the post, but I would also urge family members, friends and neighbours, anybody to support pensioners who may be struggling with technology, supporting them to do the independent checker. So there is, I think, it is a community effort here to make sure everybody gets to apply. Also, Councillor Dogmar, I am really quite, well, I am not shocked, but I should be, that you think £100 is a few quid. It actually just shows how out of touch you are, and I am not surprised as a result of that, that the Conservatives have done so much damage to the budget. If you think £100 is a few quid, and I am sure our residents will be quite surprised about that. As well as giving £100, we have paid for welcoming spaces. We gave more money to food banks, aid UK, support pensioners, warm home scheme. So this package of support, it is not £100, which, incidentally, I think, and I am sure my colleagues would agree, is a lot of money, and it will make a huge difference to pensioners. It is just quite unfortunate that you do not support that. Somebody with four bathrooms, who does not think four bathrooms is a lot, so I am not surprised. But anyway, thank you. All right, thank you. Can I have a show of hands in favour of the motion, please? Thank you. Any against? Thank you. Any abstentions? Okay, the motion is carried. Thank you. All right, if I can ask Councillor Turell to move her motion, please. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Following the Government's 2024 budget— I will start again—following the Government's 2024 budget on 30 October and the 25 billion increase in the employer national insurance contributions to 15 per cent—a reduction in the secondary threshold from £9,100 to £5,000 due to be implemented by April 25. This council confirms its commitment to support employers in Telford and Reacon. Telford and Reacon Council continues to recognise that this borough is home to a high proportion of SMEs and start-ups, and that this council will support employers to ensure they continue to create quality employment opportunities within the borough. This council recognizes that by creating a healthy economic environment for employers, this in turn supports households with quality employment and renumeration, and ultimately increasing household economy, creating a thriving local economy. This supports the council's policy of everyone benefits from a thriving economy. Combined with the increase in the national living wage and the other measures associated with the make-work pay agenda, businesses are being asked to shoulder the brunt of the tax burden. I move this motion. Thank you, Councillor Doug Mould, do you wish to second? To speak. Do you second it? Yes, thank you. Any comments, questions? Thank you, Mr Speaker. This Labour Administration has a proud record to stand on when it comes to supporting businesses across Telford and Reacon, given that our pride in our high street programme has supported 367 businesses to date, including 65 start-up businesses on our high streets. Whilst we will be supporting this motion tonight, I find it deeply hypocritical that the Conservative Group now want to talk about businesses. The same Conservative Group that voted against our pride in our high street programme at every opportunity they have had, which if they had their own way would have seen hundreds of small businesses miss out on vital support. The same Conservative Group that stood by their disgraced former Prime Minister, who is reported to have said, F Business, during the pandemic, the same Conservative Group who would like to see us dragged into Shropshire Council and the bankruptcy that would come with it. This Labour Administration has a proud record of being on the side of both residents and businesses in our borough. We all understand the Government have to make difficult decisions as a result of the previous Conservative Government leaving a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. And as the Conservative Group leader is keen on quoting outside bodies tonight, Paul Johnson from the IFS said, the £22 billion black hole was obvious to anybody who dared to look, well clearly they didn't. They can't wash their hands of any responsibility and pretend it has nothing to do with them. It is their mess and this new Labour Government is cleaning it up. Mr Speaker, rather than playing politics each and every time they come to this chamber, I urge them to work constructively with this Administration to deliver on the priorities that residents and businesses have across Telford and Reacon. Thank you, Councillor Thomas. Mr Speaker, there are two things that really do worry me and the first is for residents in South Dominique who are unemployed at the moment and I really do worry that jobs may go off the market and what else can we do as a council to support them? I think that for me is the number one thing which has come out of this is how we can help and support residents looking for employment, get back into work when we could see a lot of jobs which we probably will. My second concern is around what indirect impacts it can have on revenue to the council to support with services and if companies do look to tighten their belts to deal with extra cost, could we see shops vacant, could we see factory units not taking up or people not or companies not want to expand while saving their costs which could directly be having back to revenue and on services. For me it's how do we monitor that and how can we support when that happens? Biggest thing for me is supporting people in jobs, keeping them employment and I know we do get jobs that can't do that but what else can we do going forward because I think that's going to be a real real issue for me and the borough. Thank you, Councillor Nelson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'm very, very encouraged to hear from Councillor Vickers that the Labour Group can support this motion which is presenting the spirit of collaboration by my colleague, Rachel Tyrell. I'm not sure what the evidence Councillor Vickers has that we or I stood by the XMP who refers to and used that to very unfortunate and inappropriate and in fact wrong statement regarding business and we aren't and I'm not really in a position to share with the Labour Government the feedback that the Conservative Government had from me personally but I've still got the text on my phone, I can't share them, I'm afraid because of the non-family nature of the frustration that I and we have felt over the years and I don't think that at the moment anyone in the Conservative Party is necessarily saying that every instant of the 14 years we did a good job because we plainly didn't and you quoted quite this evening in respect of that particular budget and then lastly well we're probably not going to use Paul Johnson as a fully objective observer in respect of budgets. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Overton please. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We welcome this motion because this Labour administration has always worked hard to put businesses first and to be seen to be on the side of business and to support them. As a business winning, business supporting council, we have done our utmost support businesses through Brexit, Covid and even the damage in this trust budget which damage our economy and increase costs for all. This council will support employers to ensure they continue to create quality employment opportunities within the borough. During the last nine years the Talford Landeele, a partnership with Homes England and the March's local enterprise partnership, has delivered the sale of 34 commercial sites such as Ortonwood West and created almost 3000 jobs in total. In 2324 delivered 381,000 square foot of floor space which is expected to create 240 new jobs. The council's drive Talford programme is also committed to supporting employers and creating new employment opportunities. The fund is supporting businesses, people and skills and helping to boost productivity, pay and jobs. As Councillor Vickers said, the council's High Street programme also supports independent local businesses and regeneration and revitalisation of our high streets, creating new employment opportunities. The programme is created 388 new jobs, 367 business grants have been awarded, 65 new business opening, what previously empty units we have been supporting businesses big and small and we recognise that we create a healthy economic environment for employers this in turn supports households. I will be supporting this motion because I know we will continue to support businesses as we have a past and current record of doing that and maybe it would have been good if the Conservatives opposite had cared so much for business when this trust wrecked the economy and did so much damage to business and the UK as a whole. If they want to ask silly questions about what they what we can do to support businesses, they can support our budget next year when the measures in it which have created all these opportunities that we spoke about tonight. So don't ask silly questions, don't abstain just vote for our budget. Councillor Dugmore, do you have the right to comment? Yeah, thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the support that the council gives to businesses both large and small in the borough. But the thing is that we were told that things are going to get difficult because the 30th of October budget we were told was a budget for growth. The only growth is this budget is going to deliver. It's an employment empty shop some factories if we're not careful and also reduce the spending power of all residents including those that are fortunate to still have jobs. Here in Telford and Raking we've benefited from the last 14 years of a Conservative Government. We have been blessed with a steady stream of new and growing small businesses. We've been breaking ground for entrepreneurs with a substantial government grants that we've received and that this council has spent. Well, Mr Speaker, these good times look to be over. Already after the first three months of a labour government today's lay unemployment figures have increased, have meant that unemployment has increased and the rate at which earnings arising has slowed down. On top of this small businesses are preparing for increased employment costs announced in the budget. This will reduce the growth of such businesses and stifle the entrepreneur spirit we see here in Telford and Raking. The effects of this budget will be felt just as keenly in the larger businesses, speaking of which the large supermarket chains are already costing the effects as millions of pounds which ultimately will be passed on to residents. The National Insurance High will also have added cost to local schools and healthcare providers and these haven't been budgeted for and it may be very nice for the council to get bailouts from the Government to mitigate the costs but is that going to be extended to all the healthcare providers to try and reduce the overspending social care and also to the schools who haven't gotten no ideas to what to help and how much this increasing cost is going to be. It's not a budget for growth, it's a budget of decline and here in Telford and Raking we will feel the absence of, we will feel the effects of this for years to come if we're not careful. The leader tonight said he wants Telford and Raking to be a great place to live, work and do business in and hopefully he and his administration will support us in mitigating the negative budget measures. Thank you, Councillor Turelle, do you want to use your right of reply? No, thank you. Okay, can I have a show of hands in favour of the motion please? All right, any against? Any abstentions? That's unanimous. Thank you. All right, Councillor Tim Nelson, you have a motion? Yeah, Mr Speaker, there is an amendment that's been put in. I believe there's an amendment put into my motion. Yes, it has to be formally moved first and seconded and then we can go on to the amendment. I move the motion. Do you move it? Seconded? I have Councillor Turelle listed as seconding. Yes, right. The amendment is available in front of you, Councillor Overton will propose the amendment. Sorry. You accept the amendment? Right. So you need to have a vote for the amendment. Yeah, we need to do it formally, so could you move and second the amendment please? Thank you, Mr Speaker. We move this amendment to recognise a hard work that this Labour Councillor has done to promote good bus usage. With the subsidised bus services, that has helped people get to work, schools and hospital. This Labour Councillor is keeping the £2 fair on these council services to encourage bus travel. That is because we are on the side of our residents. The council services have been a major success and we will continue to support bus travel. It also helps us reduce our carbon footprint, which my Councillor next to me, would be very happy about. With over 350,000 completed passenger trips, it would have been nice to see some praise of our services by this motion, but it shows that they don't like praise in this Labour council. On keeping our ticket prices at £2, but no, another Tory motion that it just wants to be negative. To this end, following these successes, we have already fed into the new Labour Government's bus consultation as we are keen to see improved public transport in our town and we know with the right resources and powers we can do just that. We of course would like to see all bus services at the same ticket price, but sadly, the Conservatives broke the economy. They had the true state of our finances from the OBR and now it is up to the Labour Government to fix the economy and fill the £22 billion black hole left by poor economic management. I am sure the Labour Government would love to do more, but their hands have been tied, because it was a Conservative Government which ultimately damaged the economy and created a cost of lew and crisis whilst in power. It is now up to Labour to fix it and move the amendment. Thank you. Is that seconded formally? There we go. We are on. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am proud to be part of a Labour Administration that has led the way on accessible transport and improved bus provision across Telfton, Reakin. Since December 2022, our council bus routes have completed over 350,000 passenger trips and we continue to see patronage rise month and month. We have capped our fares at £2 per adult and £1 per child, which has provided hundreds of residents with access to affordable transport across Abura, whether that to be get to work, college, school to hospital appointments or even to visit friends and family. It is great to hear tonight that the Conservative Group are now in favour of our £2 cap and now endorse the work this Labour council has been doing to improve connectivity for everybody across Telfton, Reakin. I am sure residents will find it rather surprising, given the Conservative Group on this council voted against the £2 fair cap at every single opportunity they have had. Rather than plain politics, they should work constructively with this Administration as the new Conservative leader promised when he came to his place and deliver on the priorities of people across this borough. I do not underestimate the financial challenges that this new Government faces, given the previous Conservative Government left a £22 billion black hole in the public finances and left the Treasury in complete ruin. But I would encourage the new Labour Government to freeze the new fair cap for the duration of this Parliament to ensure affordable public transport is available for all those who need it. But also to assist residents in being able to make greener travel choices to assist in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency. We have already heard the positive impact our policies are having on residents' lives this evening. With one resident benefiting from our fair cap to the extent he was able to save enough money to put a deposit down on his first home. With countless more residents being able to save hundreds of pounds every single month, that's the difference a Labour Council makes in Teilford and Reacon. And while the Conservatives are busy just across the border in Stropshire dragging their Council into bankruptcy, we're getting on with delivering the meaningful change our residents want to see. And I urge all of my colleagues to support the amendment to the motion tonight. Councillor Nelson, we bring you in after the debate, yes? Okay, I'll do any comments, observations. All right, Councillor Davis. Thank you again, Mr Speaker. It was a comment really that I wanted to make. I live in in Rockwood Island Village which I think qualifies me as being rural, considering the number of fields that are around me. I have benefited personally as have residents in that village with the addition of the bus services and bus routes that were put in by this Labour Administration. I further welcome the chain, the capping of the fares. And I would only ask that we look to see if there's a way to with government support introduce additional services, perhaps additional times, because it has been an absolute life saver for residents in my area. Thank you. All right, Councillor Turella, as the seconder do you wish to speak? All right, thank you, Councillor Nelson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, this group promised collaborative, constructive opposition, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy having my words throched, fed down my throat by Councillor Vickers, whose energy and enthusiasm and competitive nature I envy being more like the sort of dinosaur end of things that Bill's described. And I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to having my words fed down my throat by Councillor Vickers. Part of that collaboration, and I've said this expressly in this chamber, is that where we see improvements to policy or viable alternatives we will propose them, my motion called for attention of a £2 fair cap, was just such a constructive and positive suggestion, and I'm delighted that the council announced after my motion was submitted that it was taking up on the £2 cap for its own six services, according to the amendment and seven, according to Councillor Vickers, but one of the other. It's entire common sense for the council to engage with the government regarding the opportunities that may arise from the bus bill, such as enhanced provision or franchising, and my speak for my motion was proposing just this. We are equally pleased and encouraged that the council takes up our proposals to write to the PM and Secretary of State. The wording of the consider alternative proposals, of course, could also include retaining the £2 cap as we requested. We further note that the request of freeze the cap, albeit at £3, goes beyond the government's time-limited cap. And what we can give to this council's proposal regarding freezing long-term, we will, indeed, I will be happy to add my signature to any such letter that the leader was looking to propose as appropriate. We note once again that the council uses its muscle to mangle and opposition motion, rather engaging in debate. We would ask the council to heed the words of their leader, that he wishes to usher in a new and less confrontational style, in which I have seen not much off from the far end of this chamber this evening. I look forward to opportunities where we can involve a motion together for the good of all residents. We shall vote in favour of this motion, recognising it for excellent evidence that the council have listened to concerns expressed in a conservative motion. Well, not me over with a further. Thank you. Okay, thank you. We now move to a vote regarding the amendment. All those in, no, you can come in afterwards. Okay, I am advised that the constitution is clear, a seconder of the motion, you cannot speak at this moment. We will move to the vote. All those in favour, please show. Any against? Abstantions? Right, that is unanimous. Thank you. Are there any, now we have the substantive motion, are there any comments, questions? Councillor Vickers, you are throwing me a bit. You have your right to reply. Are you doing this now? Okay. All right, then, speak. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I welcome that the councillors voted for this motion tonight. I just feel that Councillor Nelson needs correcting. It was not a suggestion from their group. A late night tip-off and a last minute petition doesn't count as a suggestion. It is the policy of this Labour administration, and that is what we will continue to do and deliver for our residents. Okay, councillor Bentley. Okay, councillor Overton, do you wish to exercise your right to reply? No, the unborn, Mr Speaker. No, we can go state the vote. Okay, all those in favour of the substantive motion. Thank you, any against? Any abstentions? That is unanimous. Thank you. That is carried. Oh, I would like to thank you all for attending. The next meeting of the councillor will be on the 23rd of January 2025. All right, enjoy the festive season and have a happy and healthy new year. Thank you. Please stand for the departure of the Mayor and Speaker.