MINUTES OF NAWRA MEETING HELD ON
FRIDAY 4th MARCH IN SWANSEAPresent
Carly Williams
/Welfare Rights
Liz Bettles
/Cardiff WRU
Carol O’Byrne
/Cardiff WRU
Terri Phillips
/Neath Mind WRT
Louise Linton
/Neath Mind WRT
Jill Hobson
/CLS Direct
April Kong
/FHA
John Ngau
/FHA
Julia Timothy
/Bristol WRAMAS
Ben Cromie
/Age Concern
Patrick Hill
/Bolton WRS
Keith Thompson
/Northumberland Care Trust
Jim McKenny
/Kirklees MC
Alan Markey
/Citizens Advice
Vincent Willson
/Devon WRU
Shawn Kenny
/Wallich Clifford
Charlotte Walker
/Age Concern Swansea
Mike Shermer
/Kings Lynn Council
Nerys Rees
/NPT Welfare Rights
Rebecca Collie
/NPT Welfare Rights
Sean O’Kelly
/Caerphilly SSD
U. Ray
/Merthyr SSD
Jeff Davies
/Caerphilly SSD
Keri Williams
/Caerphilly SSD
Karen Rees
/NPT WRU
Keely Parnaby
/Leicester CC
Janet Ware
/North Gwent CMHT
John Puzy
/Shelter Cymru
Joan Larne
/?
Linda Thomas
/Conwy WR
Cathy Gowenbach
/NPTCBC WRU
Erika Phelps
/Cit A Cyrmru
Angela Williams
/Cit A Cyrmru
Gillie Heal
/Monmouthshire CBC Benefits Advice Unit
Shona Martin
/Monmouthshire CBC Benefits Advice Unit
Lyndsay Thomas
/Age Concern
Peter Southall
/NPT WRU
Kevin Jolles
/NPT WRU
Mike Fry
/Herefordshire Council
Sarah Campbell
/CPAG
Allison Brennan
/NPT Welfare Rights
Judy Stenger
/Neath MIND
Karen Henn
/NPT WRU
Lorraine Hollis
/Shelter
June Parkinson-Lewis
/? SS
Paul Neave
/Flintshire CC
Jeff Rogers
/Tor-faen CBC
Judith James
/Tor-faen CBC
Keith Spencer
/RNID
David Humphrey
/BCC
Paul Daley
/BCC
Graham Bazley
/EBAC
G Morgan
/Ferret
Debra White
/Neath Port Talbot WRU
Luke Holden
/?
Sonya Williams
/Welfare Rights Blaenau
Claire Smith
/Gwent SS
Jackie Owen
/Neath CAB
Damian Keogh
/Wrexham SSD
Lisa Reese
/Morgans Solicitors
Linc. Denn
/NP WRU
Daphne
/Bristol WRU
Paul
/Bristol WRU
Susan Young
/WRAMAS
D Youngs
/Wilts ILC
Kathryn George
/Swansea
Clive Martin
/Ferret
B Bajla
/Sandwell WRS
L Masters
/Sandwell WRS
B Nayla
/Sandwell WRS
P Fitzpatrick
/CPAG
Tony
/Neath CAB
Mel Savage
/?
Apologies
Valerie Alexander (Aberdeen CC); Phil Hanns (Durham CC); Andy Platt (Leicester CC); Tamara Moreau (Colchester CC); Ivan Smith (Notts BC); Sally Forrest (Chester CAB); Maria Dornan (Renfrewshire BC); Linda Thomas (NDCS); Fiona Seymour (Citizens Advice); Carol Habberfield (LGA); Clair Malpas (GHA); Belinda Belaire (St Dunstans); Jane Hayball (Greenwich LBC); Neil Bateman; Vera Baxter (Scottish Borders Council); Gillian Manning (Mutual Benefit Training); Jas Nagra (Slough CC).
Civic Welcome
Councillor Chris Holley welcomed all in attendance of the meeting.
Edwina Hart AM spoke about Welsh specific welfare rights issues.
Speaker
John Puzey (Director, Shelter Cymru) ‘Welsh housing issues’
Presentation
Minutes of Last Meeting
Agreed.
Steering Group Report
Alan Markey presented and discussed Position paper on Joint Teams attached
Patrick Hill (Bolton Council)
This is a NAWRA position and should not affect your position at work.
Vote taken on Position paper, agreed by vote, general consensus, two abstained from vote.
To participate in discussion anonymously contact your Steering Group Representative. Contact list attached
Information Exchange
Patrick Hill (Bolton Council)
What is the result of the Hinchy decision?
Pamela Fitzpatrick (CPAG)
Hinchy lost.
Alan Markey (Citizens Advice SSU)
There’s a discussion about it on Rightsnet.
Patrick Hill (Bolton Council)
Greater Manchester Welfare Rights Group
· Discussed Jacobs paper on Rightsnet, difficulty with Chairs
· Workshop 15th April to assist inexperienced Welfare Rights workers with difficult Chairs, website www.gmwrag.org.uk
Are care charges going to be dropped?
Introducing free home care. Welsh Local Authority stopping benefit advice services.
Damian Keogh (Wrexham Council)
Nothing has happened yet with changes to services, has been discussed for last 3 years.
Legislation rules benefits advice is required if Local Authority charges for home care.
? (Neath & Port Talbot Council)
A few cases after awarded DLA/AA, recipients have been contacted by private contractors.
Government is selling databases to private companies i.e. Safeway sold details of mother and newborn babies.
Alan Markey (Citizens Advice SSU)
Please email Steering Group Representative of any instances of private companies contacting claimants.
Clive Martin (Ferret)
Deferring Retirement Pension, 2004 Legislation has increased amount of deferred pensions with profit option to have lump sum payment. How does this affect PC?
Judy Stenger (Neath MIND)
Proposed reform to IB, would Steering Group be looking at this?
Alan Markey (Citizens Advice SSU)
Mentioned recently, talking about in April’s Steering Group meeting.
??
Any indication of impact on DLA? Concerns DLA may be lumped in with IB reform.
Patrick Hill (Bolton Council)
Case of WFTC losing appeal on overpayment*, then overturned based on insufficient question.
Clive Martin (Ferret)
TC Working Group queried cases where claimants were contacted by telephone prior to cases to negotiate. IR stated routine policy.
Anyone in Wales know when’s next Welfare Rights Cymru meeting?
6th May, Llandrindod Wells.
Patrick Hill (Bolton Council)
December workshop ideas and offers please contact Steering Group Representatives.
Alan Markey (Citizens Advice SSU)
2006 venue offers contact your Steering Group Rep.
TC’s issues, claimants declined as no longer responsible for the child/ren. Clearly stated on form but IR declining. On appeal claim backdated.
Case of TC overpayment ‘Restorer Terminator 1’ used to cancel overpayment.
Feedback & Workshop Resources
Warmer Wales/Warmzone – the Neath Port Talbot experience HARD COPY ONLY
Making Benefits Training Fun
Tax Credits – update and problem areas attached
New Payment Methods – problem areas attached
Next Meeting/s
Edinburgh 3rd June
Wigan 2nd September
Unconfirmed venue 2nd December
Thank you to host Swansea City Council
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