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Contact: Charles Francis
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Items
No. |
Item |
55. |
Apologies for Absence and to report the presence of any substitute Members
Minutes:
Cllr Peter Kemp, substitute Cllr Josephine
Barrett.
|
56. |
Declarations of Interest in matters coming before this meeting
Minutes:
Cllr Mary O’Connor declared a
non-pecuniary interest as Chairman of Hillingdon Mind.
|
57. |
To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2013 - to follow
Minutes:
Were agreed as an accurate
record.
|
58. |
To confirm that the items of business marked in Part I will be considered in Public and that the items marked Part II will be considered in Private
Minutes:
All items were considered in
Public.
|
59. |
Update on Welfare Reforms PDF 59 KB
Minutes:
The Deputy Director of Housing, Residents
Services introduced the report. He explained that the meeting would
be examining how the welfare reforms might affect Local Authorities
across London and what the implications for Hillingdon might
be.
Apologies were
provided from Angelo Iuliano, Benefits
Operations Manager, Southwark Council
who was unable to attend the meeting. Perry Singh, Assistant Director of Housing, Regeneration &
Major Projects, London Borough of Brent
provided a presentation on the main welfare reforms and the
following topics were discussed:
- Local Housing Allowance Caps
- Size criteria for Social Sector Tenants
- Local Council Tax support
- Overall Benefit Cap
- Universal Credit
In the course of discussions, the following points
were raised:
- Credit Union Jam Jar Accounts
– It was noted that these had been set up by
Southwark Council as a form of savings account and had proved to be
a valuable resource to support tenants who found budgeting a
challenge although the take up was very low. The Committee asked
officers if such a scheme might be used in Hillingdon similar to
the credit union facility.
- Carers – It was
noted that the rationale of the reforms was to reduce the spending
deficit and to promote employment. In the case of carers, it was
noted that they were not exempt from the Caps and in economic
terms, it was often more cost effective for carers to look after
friends of relatives than find employment and purchase care as they
would be worse off. The Committee agreed that it was important for
Local Authorities to examine how they supported carers given the
significant savings they provided to the Authority, Health Service
and a host of the other organisations.
-
‘Navigators’ – The Committee heard how Brent Council had a
Navigator team consisting of 6 dedicated officers which were tasked
with working with the most vulnerablehouseholds to assist them
through the welfare changes. The Committee enquired whether
Hillingdon might consider a similar scheme in the future but
accepted that there was a resource issue.
- Prevalence of Domestic Violence
– The Committee highlighted that officers
needed to be very aware of the potential for the increase in cases
of Domestic Violence as a result of the monetary changes and the
impact this would have on family cohesion. Officers confirmed that
they would be monitoring this area.
-
The importance of
co-located teams – The
Committee heard how co-located teams had been used to good effect
in Brent and enquired whether this would be the case in Hillingdon
(use of Citizen Advice Bureau and Job Centre
Plus). Officers confirmed that this was the
case.
-
Troubled families and the
protection register –
The Committee highlighted that it was essential that troubled
families and those particularly at risk were provided with
appropriate advice, guidance and assistance especially if they need
to move. Officers confirmed that there was
close working with Children and Families.
-
Challenge of Direct
Payments – How does
the Council support residents to make informed choices?
– the
Committee was concerned that those ...
view the full minutes text for item 59.
|
60. |
Cabinet Forward Plan PDF 48 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee discussed the
Forward Plan and no items were identified for discussion at the
April 2013 meeting.
Resolved -
- That
the report be noted.
|
61. |
Work Programme PDF 62 KB
Minutes:
Reference was made to the
work programme and timetable of meetings.
Resolved –
- That the report be noted.
|