Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Business Transformation – report circulated

The Housing Benefit Manager presented the report informing Members of the impact of the Government’s Welfare Reform and the associated reductions in welfare budgets, introduced in April 2013. She advised of an amendment to the report by the addition of the words “on collection” after impact in the second line of paragraph 14.0.

The Mobile Benefits Training Officer detailed issues relating to council tax support, the benefit cap, social sector size criteria and need for downsizing, changes in Council tax instructions from 10 to 12 months, local welfare support and discretionary housing payments.

It was noted that the changes were impacting beyond the Council into the Third Sector with a 27% increase in inquiries at the Citizens Advice Bureau in the first quarter of this year with a 78% increase in referrals to the food bank in the last 12 months.

The following responses were given to Members’ questions:-

• there is a greater crossover of Council/agency staff with CAB and Homemaker representatives based in the Customer Service Centre to take referrals and a City Council officer located part time at Job Centre Plus to provide housing and benefit advise. The latter can also identify areas where  practises could be improved;
• improved partnership work is also evident in other areas with strong co-operation with Devon County Council, the Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. Similarly, the Welfare Reform Action Group, with representation from many agencies, has also been a success;
• the City Council administers welfare support on behalf of the County Council; and
• the impact of changes to the Disability Living Allowance were likely to become increasingly apparent by October with the full affect of the Universal Credit Scheme to become apparent by April 2014.

The Chair and Members thanked officers for the comprehensive report and the hard work of staff in this transition period.

Scrutiny Committee - Community noted the contents of the report and, expressing their concern at the affect of welfare reform on the residents of Exeter, requested further update reports on the impact on both the Council and Exeter residents, including the potential impact of the introduction of Universal Credit.

(Report circulated)