Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision: The report provided an update on the use of Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), current DHP funding and new additional funding to help with the housing needs of those affected by housing benefit reforms.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor:

 

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

 

i.       Acknowledge the impact of the welfare reforms and the support given to tenants affected by the changes.

 

ii.     Approve the carry forward to 2014/15 of the unspent additional contribution (see 3.12 of the officer’s report).

 

iii.   Approve the transfer of additional contribution allocation for 2014/15 to the DHP budget from the DCLG homeless prevention fund (see 3.13 of the officer’s report).

 

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

 

The committee received a report from the Head of Revenues and Benefits. A minor typographical error was highlighted under 4.2 of the officer’s report. The government contribution for Cambridge City Council was £182,516 (not £185,516 as noted in the report).

 

In response to member’s questions the Head of Revenues and Benefits and the Director of Customer and Community Services said the following:

 

i.                 Under 3.9 off the officer’s report the ‘136 other reasons’ for awarding DHP could include:

-        A child about to reach the age of 16.

-        Foster carers with disabled children.

-        People looking to move house or take in a lodger.

ii.               As the Government’s award can vary from year to year it was difficult for Local Authorities to commit to longer term DHP awards. The City Council did however recognise that for some residents their circumstances were unlikely to change from year to year (i.e. disabled residents). A simplified review process had therefore been implemented for these cases. 

iii.             19 DHP awards had been made for moving to alternative accommodation, and officers were currently looking at ways to speed up the process.

 

The Head of Revenues and Benefits agreed to provide the following information to the committee outside of the meeting:

 

-        The number of people that had moved to alternative accommodation outside of the city, if this was available.

-        The number of people that had applied and been unsuccessful.

-        The number of people that were seeking mutual exchanges.

 

The Scrutiny Committee considered the recommendations and endorsed them unanimously.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted):

 

Not applicable.