Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Treasury Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 25 November 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Treasury Services was submitted, seeking approval for an increase in the establishment of the Housing Benefits Team by one full time member of staff.  The post was needed as a result of the significant increase in caseload resulting from the current economic downturn.  The Government had allocated an additional £30 million subsidy to local authorities in addition to the previously agreed £45 million, of which Exeter would receive £50,249 in 2009/10.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting of 25 November and their comments and support were noted.

Executive approved the creation of an additional post of Benefits Assessment Officer at Grade 5.

The report of the Head of Treasury Services was submitted, seeking approval for an increase in the establishment of the Housing Benefits Team by one full time member of staff.  The post was needed as a result of the significant increase in caseload resulting from the current economic downturn.  The Government had allocated an additional £30 million subsidy to local authorities in addition to the previously agreed £45 million, of which Exeter would receive £50,249 in 2009/10.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting of 25 November and their comments and support were noted.

RESOLVED that the creation of an additional post of Benefits Assessment Officer at Grade 5 be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head Treasury Services - report circulated

The Head of Treasury Services presented the report to seek approval for an increase in the establishment of the Housing Benefits Team by 1 full time member of staff. The Council case load had increased by 7% and the Government had recognised the pressures that local authorities were facing with regard to their statutory duty of administering housing benefit claims. As a result of an increased grant from Government the additional amount of funding that Exeter would receive in 2009/10 was £50,249. 

In response to a Member’s question, the Director Corporate Services stated that the Council sought to fill posts internally whenever possible but if was not successful then posts were advertised externally.

Scrutiny Committee - Resources supported the report and recommended approval by Executive of the creation of an additional post of Benefits Assessment Officer at Grade 5.

(Report circulated)