Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Mullin introduced the Welfare Reform Update report which provided 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 it and support households.

            The report covered the following, and details of the impact each one had in Flintshire:

·         Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy;

·         Benefit Cap;

·         Universal Credit;

·         Help to Claim Service;

·         Universal Credit “Managed Migration”;

·         Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

·         Welfare Reform Team; and

·         Discretionary Housing Payments.

Councillor Bithell welcomed the work being undertaken by the service to mitigate the full impacts of the reforms from falling upon vulnerable Flintshire residents.  Councillor Thomas concurred and said that Flintshire County Council did not put itself forward for the pilot, it was imposed on the Council by Central Government, and she commented on the vast number of issues being experienced with Universal Credit.

On data not being available to the Council from Cheshire West Citizens Advice, the Chief Executive this was being escalated to ensure that information was available.

Councillor Thomas asked if a previous Cabinet resolution to write to Central Government outlining concerns had been carried out.  The Benefits Manager explained that Torfaen County Borough Council had prepared a draft letter and she would share the content of that letter with Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED:

That the report and ongoing work to manage the impacts that Welfare Reforms has and will continue to have upon Flintshire’s most vulnerable households be supported.