Issue - meetings

Report to follow

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report advised that following the publication of DWP circular HB/CTB S11/2011, Local Authorities were able to implement a ‘risk based’ approach to verifying Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims.

This approach has been adopted by Strategy and Resources Committee on 9 July 2012 and implemented from the start of the following financial year 1 April 2013.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

       i.          Agreed the continued use of Risk Based Verification as a means to verify claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction for both new claims and changes in circumstances.

     ii.          Agreed changes to levels of verification within the High and Medium Risk Bands detailed at 3.7 and 3.8 of the Officer’s report.

   iii.          Delegated an annual review and future amendments the risk based verification process to the Head of Revenues and Benefits.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

This item was not requested for pre-scrutiny and the committee made no comments in response to the Benefit Manager.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.