Issue - meetings

As per the recommendation.

As per the recommendation.The Cabinet Member for Housing provided an update on the aim to implement a range of measures that would manage and mitigate, as far as practical, the impact of the Welfare Reforms upon the local communities and Local Authority.  The significant risks emerging from the welfare reforms included:-

·         The loss of income to the Local Authority and to the local economy;

·         The lack of available resources to deal with demands from residents for access to advice and support services;

·         The increase in homelessness applications; and

·         The welfare reforms all being implemented within the same timeframe.

The development and successful implementation of the Flintshire Welfare Reform Strategy was being managed corporately by a Welfare Reform Programme Board, Chaired by the Leader of the Council.  An update of the work being progressed was outlined within the report. 

A number of concerns were raised around the impact the welfare reforms would have on the most vulnerable people within the community.  Councillor R.K. Jones asked how the Council was communicating the impacts to residents who would be affected by the welfare reforms.

The Cabinet Member for Housing explained that work had been undertaken to identify residents who would be affected and that the Housing Officers would be visiting residents in their home to explain clearly the impacts.  The reduction in Housing Benefit would also apply to tenants of all Registered Social Landlords (RSLs); therefore the Council was working in partnership with RSLs to identify households which would be affected to establish the countywide impact of the welfare reforms.

The Head of Finance provided an update on the multi-agency work which was being progressed and the approach being taken by the Welfare Reform Programme Board to mitigate the impact of the welfare reforms.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment asked that all Members be encouraged to attend the briefing session on welfare reforms which had been arranged for 12 November, 2012.

RESOLVED:

That Flintshire County Council continues to engage in local and national discussion on the issues arising from Welfare Reform and that Members and Officers are proactive through relevant government and professional groups to make representations to mitigate the impacts on the Council and the people in the community of Flintshire.

Note: - The Leader of the Council chaired the remainder of the meeting.