Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Customer Access.

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 2 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The Assistant Director Customer Access updated Members on the effect of Universal Credit roll-out on Council services advising that further reform was to come and that, as the cumulative impact of reductions in benefits were felt, the amount of Administrative grant given by Government to run the service may not be sufficient. It was noted that, in future years, Members would be asked to determine options for future support.

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 2 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the report be noted, particularly around the effect of Universal Credit rollout on Council services.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Customer Access.

The Assistant Director Customer Access introduced the report on the effect of Universal Credit roll-out on Council services advising that further reform was to come and that, as the cumulative impact of reductions in benefits are felt, the amount of Administrative grant given by Government to run the service may not be sufficient and that, in future years, Members would be asked to determine options for future support.

The Service Improvement Lead (Benefits) provided further detail on the Welfare reforms and the impact on the City Council’s customers and how the increasing volume of work undertaken in the “Help me with my financial/housing problem” system would put pressure on staff resources. The report included detail on universal credit, the household benefit cap, the freezing of benefit rates and the removal of the family premium from housing benefit. There was a risk that the Authority would face more demand for discretionary help and support than could be met by resources. The Council would continue to work with partners in the Department of Work and Pensions and Exeter Money Advice Partnership to offer co-ordinated help at the earliest point.

Members thanked the officers for their hard work in the introduction of the changes. They noted that many of the welfare changes affected the more vulnerable households in the community. The disabled, large families and, in limited cases, the elderly, could all face more financial difficulty and housing insecurity as a result of reduced benefit incomes and migration to Universal Credit.

People Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report, particularly around the effect of Universal Credit rollout on Council services.