Issue - meetings

Report attached on Welfare Reform – Universal Credit and Council Tax Support.

Ian Savigar, Divisional Director Customer Services, introduced the report.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Hale stated that he is concerned that the people least able to look after themselves are worse off. He asked if the authority is feeding back to the Government on this. The officer explained that he is on the Local Authority Universal Credit Working Group which is constantly feeding back to the Government. He explained that the issues raised recently by Ian Duncan Smith MP are similar to the ones raised by the Working Group. He further explained that customers can apply for money to cover the first five weeks.

In response to further questions from Councillor Hale, the officer responded that there is a 3-4 year timescale for Universal Credit. He further explained that it would not be the aim of the Council to close the CAB. Councillor Hale explained that a lot of people turn to the CAB. Councillor Furse stated that Members signpost residents to the CAB and it is a valuable resource that a lot of residents use.

In response to questions from Councillor Furse, the officer explained that regarding people wishing to downsize as a result of the spare bedroom tax, there are people still impacted. Discretionary housing benefit is being used but the amount will not last.

Regarding people moving in and out of work, the officer explained that he has visited Croydon and they explained that transition in and out of work (and on and off benefits) had been smoothed out with Universal Credit.

The Chair thanked the officer.