CORPORATE ISSUES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

23, April, 2012

CORPORATE ISSUES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

23 April, 2012

Meeting commenced:2.00 p.m.

“ ended:4.00 p.m.

PRESENT:Councillor Turner - in the Chair

Councillors Jolley, RyanK Garrido, Dobbs, Wheelerand Clarkson.

OFFICERS:Martin Vickers - Strategic Director for Customer and Support

Services.

John Tanner - Assistant Director (Customer Services)

Richard Bundy - Principal Officer (Welfare Rights & Debt

Advice)

Bev Connor - Strategic Manager (Claims Management

Team)

Karen Lucas-Principal Democratic Services Advisor.

The meeting was also attended by Councillors Hinds, E Burgoyne, V Burgoyne, N Turner and Dawson.

1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from Councillor Rochford, M. Mullen and Dirir.

2.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

3.QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

There were no questions from members of the public.

4.WELFARE RIGHTS REFORM

The Principal Officer (Welfare Rights & Debt Advice) presented Members with a detailed overview of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, which is a radical change in social security provision.

The changes outlined in the Act will directly impact upon the financial support available for those on low incomes. One of the most significant proposals is the replacement of a range current means tested benefits with Universal Credit including income support, income based job seekers allowance, income related employment and support allowance, working tax credit, child tax credit and housing benefit. A transition period is proposed starting in 2013 and set to be completed by 2017.

A timetable of the main changes and the impact of each are set out in the report.

Discussion took place in respect of a number of issues including:

  • The request for a policy day on the Welfare Reform Act has been acknowledged and already discussed with the Leader, including the possibility of a twilight session;
  • A programme is in place to capture local milestones, including the need for key decisions in line with the challenging deadline;
  • With respect to the Social Fund additional funding to be determined based on current spend;
  • The need to consider what kind of assistance and scheme the City Council will devise and administer to continue to assist vulnerable people;
  • The need to ensure a clear message to customers, particularlyvulnerable groups identified in the changes. Officers highlighted the need for a joined up approach and the work being undertaken by AGMA and the Strategic Housing Partnership;
  • The need to have a simple guide to benefits, who is the onus on to provide?

Councillor Hinds talked of his concerns and the impact on people on low incomes,

families with children especially lone parents, those with long-term ill-health and

people with disabilities.

RESOLVED: THAT officers to provide a further update as changes are implemented.

5.FORWARD PLAN

RESOLVED: THAT the plan be noted.

6.REPORT FROM THE LAST MEETING

RESOLVED:THAT (1) the report was agreed as a true record;

THAT(2)the supporting officer contacts the Assistant Director – Customer Services; for the information requested at the meeting in March.

7.WORK PROGRAMME

RESOLVED:THAT further updates on Welfare Reform be included.

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