Issue - meetings

(a) That the Committee support the ongoing work to manage the impacts that welfare reform had and will continue to have on some of the most vulnerable residents; and

(b) That the Committee note the support measures implemented via Welsh Government to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis.

The Senior Manager (Housing, Welfare & Communities) provided an update on the impacts that continue with welfare reforms and discussed the ongoing work to mitigate the work that continued to support the Flintshire resident’s households.  She added that the bedroom tax was still having an effect in Flintshire together with the lack of available smaller properties for residents to downsize too.

She also discussed the following, as outlined in the report: -

·         Benefits Cap

·         Cost of Living Support Scheme

·         Winter Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23

·         Energy Bill Support Scheme

·         Alternate Fuel Payments

·         Universal Primary School Meals

·         School Essentials Grant

·         Welfare Support

·         Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

The Senior Manager (Housing, Welfare & Communities) went on to discuss the eligibility and funding for free school meals and how they work with school to publicise the pupil deprivation grant, and also how they would try to automate payments with regards to the School Uniform grant for all school years.

Councillor David Evans referred to the Winter Fuel Scheme and expressed is concerns around some residents missing out on the scheme.  He asked how many residents were still not set up with a Direct Debit.  The Senior Manager (Housing, Welfare & Communities) advised that the team provide positive encouragement to households to take up the scheme, with some credited back via their Council Tax accounts.  She added that Flintshire had the highest take up of the scheme in Wales and encouraged Councillors to share ways in which to engage with tenants.

In response to questions raised by Councillor Rosetta Dolphin, the Senior Manager (Housing, Welfare & Communities) advised that she did not think it would be possible to track claimants of DHP relating to the bedroom tax over the period of time suggested.  With regards to free school meals, she agreed that the claiming process could be difficult and said that awareness needed to be raised on how this affected schools and reiterated the importance of making the claim. 

The Chair commented that she fully supported the DHP which she said would be there for the foreseeable future.

Councillor Bernie Attridge added his comments that the report was good but added that the Council should not lose sight of all the vulnerable people throughout Flintshire affected by the cost of living crisis and welfare reform.

The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved by Councillor Tina Claydon and seconded by Councillor David Evans.

RESOLVED:

(a)          That the Committee support the ongoing work to manage the impacts that welfare reform had and will continue to have on some of the most vulnerable residents; and

(b)          That the Committee note the support measures implemented via Welsh Government to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis.