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To reduce the size of the
service, following a reducing in benefits workload arising from introduction of
Universal Credit
To consult staff on options.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Executive Proposals: Annual budget;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/05/2020
Decision due: 6 Jul 2020 by Executive Councillor for Transformation
Department: Revenues and Benefits
Contact: Suzanne Hemingway, Interim Assistant Director, Assets and Property Email: Suzanne.Hemingway@cambridge.gov.uk.
Additional Information: This is a key item and will automatically appear on the agenda.
Background Information: The introduction of Universal credit means that new working-age claimants, or claimants who have a change in circumstances, no longer claim Housing Benefit from the Council. As a result, workloads have decreased significantly, and are continuing to do so. In future, we will need a much smaller service to deal with Housing benefits for pensioners. In April 2020, a new Council Tax Reduction Scheme was introduced, to enable smooth processing of CTR claims, without a direct link to HB data. The report will also review the additional work undertaken by the team during the Covid crisis, and any implications this has for the team in future.
