Agenda

To consider whether to exclude the press and public for the items of private business for the reasons shown in the report.

To be presented by the Lord Mayor and Judge Griffith-Jones, Honorary Recorder

From the Cabinet, 10^th December 2013

From the Cabinet, 10^th December 2013

From the Cabinet, 10^th December 2013

From the Cabinet, 10^th December 2013

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

(1)  Written Question – There are no written questions

(2)  Oral Questions to Chairs of Scrutiny Boards/Chair of Scrutiny

Co-ordination Committee

(3)  Oral Questions to Chairs of other meetings

(4)  Oral Questions to Representatives on Outside Bodies

(5)  Oral Questions to Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members on any matter

To be moved by Councillor A Khan  and seconded by Councillor Ruane:

“That this Council:

(a)   believes Britain’s energy market isn’t working for ordinary families and businesses and the cost of electricity and gas is crippling their family finances;

(b)   regrets that energy bills have risen by almost £300 for families since 2010 and businesses say it’s the second biggest cost they face and is concerned that when the price of energy increases energy companies pass this on, but when it drops consumers don’t see their bills fall;

(c)   notes recent research by Which? estimating that flaws in the market have left consumers paying £3.9bn a year over the odds since 2010;

(d)   fully opposes the unfair price rises recently announced by the big energy companies including a 10.4% increase in Npower’s dual-fuel bills from December, SSE increasing prices by 8.2% from 15th November, British Gas increasing their prices by 9.2% on 23rd November and Scottish Power raising prices by 8.6% from 6th December;

(e)   notes comments from the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice speaking about the SSE increase “The price rise will be a blow for stretched budgets … Many households are facing a daily battle to try to make their frozen incomes cover mounting energy, food and travel costs. Further increases will push people into poverty;

(f)   believes that the increases represent a rip-off and believes that the present Government have chosen to defend the big energy companies and have failed to stand up for the consumer;

(g)   further welcomes the commitment that the next Labour Government will reset our energy market so it works for Britain’s families and businesses, with a new tough regulator to stop overcharging.”

From Cabinet, 10^th December 2013