Agenda item

Decision number:

Decision:

145/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group continues to lead the Medway response to Welfare Reform and to work to develop communication between the Council and other agencies, with the objective of providing the customer with the single journey through a coordinated response. This should include:

(a)            a Stakeholder event explaining the Welfare Reforms and the schemes in operation in Medway. This event should enable organisations to showcase their response to the reforms;

(b)           the development of a booklet (in print and online) for all affected residents, signposting the various organisations providing support.

(c)            A briefing for all Members on the Welfare Reforms.

146/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group undertakes further work to improve communication channels for potentially vulnerable claimants of discretionary payments, who may find themselves excluded. This should incorporate:

(a)      any positive learning from existing cross agency partnerships, such as Street Weeks and Troubled Families;

(b)      a review of Council systems, with a view to highlighting vulnerable claimants, especially where there may be safeguarding issues, and the potential need for ‘personal intervention’ in the debt recovery process;

(c)      undertaking a Diversity Impact Assessment to understand the cumulative impact of the Welfare Reforms including the impact on groups with protected characteristics and to identify the necessary actions to take forward.

147/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group review the Council’s corporate debt policy, considering the feasibility of encouraging the “Warm Transfer” of clients to organisations such as StepChange, the Citizens Advice Bureau and Christians Against Poverty and stressing the availability of advice agencies at the later stages of the debt recovery process.

148/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group continue until after the introduction of Universal Credit and that the Corporate Management Team reviews its membership, with a view to ensuring appropriate representation at the relevant time and enhancing its collaborative work with partners.

149/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group ensures that it continues to track and respond to the emerging requirements of Universal Credit and Welfare Reforms, reporting on progress to the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee every 6 months.

150/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Council write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, copying in the Chairman of the Local Government Association, highlighting the:

(a)      recognised delays and impact of the assessment phases of Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment processes;

(b)      concerns expressed during the evidence sessions as to direct payments;

(c)      benefits of a localised Local Welfare Assistance Fund and stressing the need for Central Government to make alternative funding provision for this to continue.

151/2014

The Cabinet agreed that the Welfare Reform Officers Working Group reflects on digital access, use and support across Medway. This should give particular focus on:

(a)    assisting in the development of a Corporate Customer Access Strategy and the development of an assisted digital offer;

(b)    linking in with community networks and considering the potential role of Digital Ambassadors (led by partners and the wider community);

(c)    learning from research and pilot projects that are being undertaken both locally and nationally to establish barriers and enablers to digital access and use;

(d)    the evolution of community hubs and considering the potential for privacy for claimants at Council access points.