Agenda and minutes

Councillor Henry Higgins was appointed Chairman of the Committee for the rest of the Municipal Year.

Councillor Crowe declared Non-Pecuniary Interests in Cabinet Agenda Item 9 (Grants to Voluntary Organisations 2013/14) and Cabinet Agenda Item 23 (Carers Respite at Home Service). He remained in the room and took part in discussions.

Councillor Peter Curling declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest in Cabinet Agenda Item 9 (Grants to Voluntary Organisations 2013/14). He remained in the room and took part in discussions.  

Agreed as an accurate record.

To confirm that the items of business marked Part I will be considered in public and that the items marked Part II will be considered in private.  

It was agreed that all items of business be considered in public.

To hear the Call-In of any decision made at the Cabinet Meeting prior to this meeting or made by Cabinet Members, other Council Committees or a delegated officer and published within five working days of this meeting.

Members should bring their Cabinet agenda to the meeting.

Members should consider any other decision published in the five working days before this meeting.

The purpose of this meeting is to decide whether to refer back any decision to the decision maker.

Members gave consideration to the Cabinet reports of 20 December 2012 and after careful consideration Members decided not to call-in any decision. The Committee endorsed all decisions made by the Cabinet at their meeting.

However the following questions were asked by the Committee:

Cabinet Agenda Item 8 - Council Tax Reduction Scheme - A Localised Scheme to Replace Council Tax Benefit

Questions

In relation to page 295 of the agenda, and the impact assessment which was carried out, reference is made to the stakeholders in the
assessment and their interest in the assessment. Officers were asked for details of which community groups were consulted?

In relation to page 297 of the agenda and the leaflet which is being
included in letters to Council tax payers and Council Tax Benefit
claimants, officers were asked when was this letter being sent to
residents.

[Subsequent to the meeting it was agreed that questions on this item be withdrawn and the issues be raised at the Council meeting when this item was to be discussed].

Cabinet Agenda Item 12 - Houses in Multiple Occupation in the
Uxbridge South and Brunel Wards - Interim Planning Policy Document

Question:

What are the implications of the changes in Housing Benefit on this
declaration of an Article 4 Direction?

[Subsequent to the meeting officers provided the following response:

“There are new overall benefit caps of £500 a week for families and £350 a week for single claimants with no children, coming into effect in April 2013. In this Borough it will only affect larger families with a 3 bed or higher housing need so should not have any impact on HMO's or HMO residents. Also with most of the HMO's around Brunel consisting of students, there will be little impact  to benefits as very few students or single professionals (which is the main HMO market) will be claiming any benefits.”]

RESOLVED –

1.      That the decisions made by Cabinet at their meeting on 20 December 2012 be endorsed and noted and no call-in be made of any decision.

2. That officers be asked to supply the Committee with the information as requested.