Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be noted: and

(b)       That the ongoing work to manage the impacts that Welfare Reforms was having and would continue to have upon Flintshire’s most vulnerable households be supported.

The Benefits Manager introduced an update on the impacts that Universal Credit ‘Full Service’ and other welfare reforms were having on Flintshire residents and the work that was ongoing to mitigate this and support households. 

                        According to statistics provided by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) as at August 2019, 21,591 recipients of Housing Benefit in Wales had a reduction to their weekly award with 80% of Housing Benefit recipients in Wales deemed to be under-occupying their property by one room.  136 households in Flintshire were subject to a 25% reduction in their weekly housing benefit payment and 474 households were subject to a 14% reduction in their weekly housing benefit payment.  As at December 2019, 154 Universal Credit customers affected by the bedroom tax were supported with help towards their rent through a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

                        The Benefits Manager provided detailed information on the following areas, as detailed within the report:-

·         Help to Claim Service;

·         Universal Credit ‘Managed Migration’;

·         Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

·         Welfare Reform Team;

·         Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP); and

·         Financial Implications

Councillor Paul Shotton raised concern over the number of claimants who were in work, which he felt was the result of a low wage economy.  He also raised concerns on the waiting time for applications to be processed which he said was inadequate.  He also commented on the ‘Can Cook’ initiative which he felt was positive in assisting people in poverty.  The Benefits Manager advised that the ‘Can Cook’ initiative was part of a wider Strategy to tackle food poverty across Flintshire.

Councillor Patrick Heesom supported the comments made by Councillor Shotton also commenting that DHP were subsidising low wages.  He also asked if information on the level of DHP requests by areas within Flintshire could be provided.  The Benefits Manager agreed to provide this information at a later date following a mapping exercise on locations.

Councillor David Wisinger raised concerns around young people leaving care and asked whether there was any additional support for them in paying their rent.  The Benefits Manager advised that the DWP were undertaking a review of Local Housing Allowance Rates and the outcome of the review as awaited.  It was hoped that the review would assist landlords in providing assistance to people under 35.   

            In moving the recommendations within the report, Councillor Heesom complimented officers on the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Shotton.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted: and

(b)       That the ongoing work to manage the impacts that Welfare Reforms was having and would continue to have upon Flintshire’s most vulnerable households be supported.