Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported on behalf of The Deputy Lord Mayor, (Councillor M. Kelly and Councillors Ferguson, Groogan, Maghie, McMullan, Nelson and Smyth.

            Moved by Councillor Murphy,

            Seconded by Councillor Micheal Donnelly,

“This Council is deeply concerned that the £600 energy support payment due to people across the North of Ireland who are enduring severe cost-of-living pressures has not yet been made, despite DUP assurances that it would be paid in November.

Notes that as a result of the DUP boycott of power-sharing, responsibility for delivering this payment rests with the British Government.

Is further concerned that as temperatures drop and winter deepens many families struggling to pay soaring energy bills will have budgeted for this payment being made before Christmas as promised.

And therefore, call on the British government to urgently provide clarity on the delivery of the payments, it is well past time that these were delivered with no more broken promises.”

Amendment 1

            Moved by Alderman Dorrian,

            Seconded by Councillor Spratt

“In this time of increased cost of living this council calls for the EU and British Government to quickly find workable solutions to replace the NI protocol that respect the principle of consent embedded in the Belfast Agreement and all preceding and subsequent agreements to enable all parties to return to Stormont and serve the needs of all people and communities in Northern Ireland”

            On a vote, fourteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-one against and it was declared lost.

Amendment 2

            Moved by Councillor Hanvey,

Seconded by Councillor Murray,

      That the motion standing in the name of Councillor Murphy and seconded by Councillor Micheal Donnelly be amended to include:

“Furthermore, this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to implore him to ensure that the energy support payment is made payable as swiftly as possible.”

Therefore, the motion, as amended, would read:

“This Council is deeply concerned that the £600 energy support payment due to people across the North of Ireland who are enduring severe cost-of-living pressures has not yet been made, despite DUP assurances that it would be paid in November.

Notes that as a result of the DUP boycott of power-sharing, responsibility for delivering this payment rests with the British Government.

Is further concerned that as temperatures drop and winter deepens many families struggling to pay soaring energy bills will have budgeted for this payment being made before Christmas as promised.

And therefore, call on the British government to urgently provide clarity on the delivery of the payments, it is well past time that these were delivered with no more broken promises.

Furthermore, this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to implore him to ensure that the energy support payment is made payable as swiftly as possible.”

The proposer agreed to accept the amendment.  The Council voted on the motion as amended by Councillor Hanvey, which was now the substantive motion.  On a vote, thirty-one Members voted for it, twelve against and with two no votes, it was declared carried.