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Heated debate erupts over winter warm space proposal for vulnerable pensioners

Bridgend County Borough Council's Civic Offices on Angel Street in Bridgend (Pic: Bridgend County Borough Council)

HEATED exchanges broke out a recent full council meeting in Bridgend over proposals to open the council’s headquarters as a warm space during the winter months.

It came after a motion was brought forward by Councillor Mark John of St Bride’s Minor and Ynysawdre during councillor’s questions at the latest meeting held on September 25, 2024.

The motion, suggested by Cllr John, was that the local authority invite pensioners into the civic offices on Angel Street, Bridgend, during the winter months where they could be “assured of a safe warm space and hot drinks.”

He said the request came in the wake of UK Government cuts to the winter fuel allowance which could “leave many of the most vulnerable in our county borough with the agonising decision to eat or heat their homes.”

However, the request led to a divide in opinion in the council chamber with some members in favour of the move and others standing against it. A debate over the motion followed with number of tense exchanges between those in attendance.

Speaking after the proposal, cabinet members said they felt the building didn’t currently have the facilities or capacity it needed to offer this kind of service, with the council leader John Spanswick asking how the practicality of the move would work alongside the hundreds of staff already working in the building.

He said: “I’m lost as to how that practicality could work, especially when there’s many many buildings across the county borough where warm hubs are operated, our partnership with Awen and Halo, and there’s lots going on out there with community councils.”

He added: “There’s loads and loads of places where people can go, and I can’t see people not living local to the civil offices catching the bus to come to the civic offices to hope that there’s somewhere to sit.”

In response, Councillor Amanda Williams said she felt it was important that all public buildings made the offer, even if it was only for “an hour here or there” with the move showing that the borough’s councillors cared about their residents.

While speaking in support of the motion both councillors Tim Thomas and Martin Williams also had points cut short by the mayor, Cllr Heather Griffiths, as they tried to highlight the impacts the policy would have on elderly residents in the community.

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After amendments were put forward by Cllr Ross Penhale-Thomas and the council’s deputy leader Jane Gebbie, a final version of the motion was approved – to signpost anyone struggling to heat their homes or afford their energy bills to community centres, libraries and other warm hubs supported by the council, as well as directing residents to help them complete applications for pension credit.

The debate, which also saw councillors muted at times, ended with Cllr Steven Easterbrook, who said he felt the amendments had “absolutely obliterated” the original motion.

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