Agenda item - Welfare Reform, responses to recommendations made by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion

Extract from the proceedings of the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee meeting held on the 23^rd November 2015, together with a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copies attached).

67.1         Councillor Daniel introduced the report which set out the council’s response to the recommendations of the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion in relation to the impact of welfare reform.  She noted that there was an intention to continue to support people affected by the changes and to provide affordable housing in the city and to mitigate the reforms wherever possible.

67.2         Councillor Taylor stated that he believed there were levels of support for people such as universal credit and increases in tax allowance which enabled people to get into work and retain more of what they earn.

67.3         Councillor Littman stated that the changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme would result in more people being affected and struggling on a daily basis.  The various welfare reforms were leading to people being unable to remain in the city and it was not the council’s or residents’ fault but the Government which was removing support and preventing sustainable housing solutions for residents.

67.4         Councillor Mears noted that the report had been referred to the Housing & New Homes Committee in January, but questioned the process and why it had not come direct to the Committee given the fact that it was the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget that was mainly affected.  She believed that it should be for the Housing Committee to consider and agree any actions and was concerned that the committee’s remit was being over-ridden.

67.5         Councillor Meadows stated that a number of families in the city were likely to be affected by the various changes and there was a need to enable them to make informed choices.  She also noted that the housing component for universal credit was not paid to anyone under the age of 21, which meant additional support was required for those residents.  She also believed it was likely that there would be an increase in rent arrears and potential for a rise in the number of homeless people in the city.

67.6         Councillor Yates stated that there was a need for debate and consideration of how to address the impacts of welfare reform.

67.7         Councillor Gibson stated that the figures were terrifying and that there was a need for action to be taken.  The council could have chosen not to increase council tax and thereby supported residents but this had not been the case to date.

67.8         Councillor Miller stated that there was a need to ensure that those on welfare were not better-off than those who chose to work and paid tax.  He did not believe it was fair for those on welfare to be better-off than those who worked.

67.9         Councillor Daniel noted the comments and stated that there was a need to address the impact of the welfare reform programme and endeavour to support the residents of the city.  The issue was about inequality across all sectors of the population and was broader than just a housing matter; although it needed to be taken into account.

67.10      The Mayor stated that the report had been referred for information and therefore moved that it be noted.

67.11      RESOLVED: That the report be noted.