Councillors will discuss measures to help pensioners hit by cuts to winter fuel payments when they meet next week, as it was revealed 66,000 across the borough are set to miss out.

Under highly controversial changes planned by the treasury, only those pensioners in receipt of pension credit or other means tested benefits will now be eligible for the winter fuel payment of up to £300.

The payments had previously been available to all pensioners regardless of income.

With a meeting of Cheshire West and Chester's full council due to take place next Thursday, two 'notices of motion' have been tabled urging a number of measures to be backed.

One has been tabled by Conservative councillors Gaynor Sinar and Phil Marshall.

It states the borough has 66,000 pensioners who are not eligible for the payment and it will call on members to request the council leader to write to the Chancellor, urging a review of the decision, and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those not claiming pension credit, are 'protected from fuel poverty'.

The notice of motion also urges the council to back the following measures:

  • Start a council-led awareness campaign to alert those of pensionable age to seek advice on their eligibility to claim pension credit.
  • Use the Age Friendly Partnership - which brings together the council, University of Chester, NHS, and Age UK - to help those struggling to keep warm and healthy by ensuring sufficient warm hubs are available, helping to reduce loneliness, isolation, and fuel costs.
  • Use the Age Friendly Partnership to obtain funding for a ‘pensioners' heating fund’ for those struggling and experiencing hardship due to losing their winter fuel payment.
  • Commit the council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition run by Age UK.
  • Add pension credit guidance for pensioners, families & carers providing links to apply via the age friendly hub on Live Well Cheshire West website and publicise on CW&C social media.

A separate notion of motion tabled by Labour’s Carol Gahan and Lisa Denson has called on the council to back ‘mitigations’ against the impact of the changes.

These include:

  • Continue to utilise part of the Household Support Fund – Government cash issued to councils to support people in need - to issue a £200 payment to 3,000 low income pensioner households which are not eligible for pension credit.
  • Offer workshops to elected members to enable them to support eligible residents to apply for pension credit.
  • Ensure there are resources in place to enable the council's benefits team to assist residents to maximise their benefits income to ensure they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
  • The motion will also urge the council to utilise all communication channels to ensure all residents have access to the support offered by the council and partners.

Previously around 11.4m pensioners were in receipt of universal winter fuel payments, which were designed to help with the cost of energy bills, regardless of income levels.

This will now fall to the 1.5m pensioners across the country who meet the eligibility criteria.

The Government said it will save £1.4bn as part of cost-saving measures aimed at tackling a £22bn fiscal black hole. Critics have said the cuts will leave many pensioners unable to heat their homes.