Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The report contains the response to the recommendations of this Scrutiny Committee’s review into how the Council can best prepare for the introduction of Universal Credit when the programme is rolled out to all authorities.

Universal Credit was formally announced in the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

A response to each of the recommendations together with timescales for completion of the various actions in contained in the report. A number of these actions have already been – or are in the process of being – implemented.

The Executive at its meeting on 16 July, approved the response to the ‘Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’ Scrutiny Review and expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the Executive’s response.

Officer contact: Alison Blount, telephone number 0161 474 5107, email: Alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the “Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime” Scrutiny Review adopted by the Executive at its meeting on 16 July 2013.

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) on behalf of the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

RESOLVED – That the Executive’s response be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report contains the proposed response to the recommendations of the Corporate Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee’s review into how the Council can best prepare for the introduction of Universal Credit when the programme is rolled out to all authorities.

Universal Credit was formally announced in the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

A proposed response to each of the recommendations together with timescales for completion of the various actions in contained in the report. A number of these actions have already been – or are in the process of being – implemented.

The Executive is recommended to agree the proposed response.

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, Alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

To consider a report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

Universal Credit was formally announced in the Welfare Reform Act 2012. This benefit replaces six of the main means-tested benefits and tax credits. Nationally, new applications to universal credit will begin in October 2013, although a small number of Pathfinder authorities will begin implementing Universal Credit from April and July 2013.

This Scrutiny Review Panel has focused specifically on how the Council can prepare for the introduction of Universal Credit when the programme is rolled out to all authorities, it has considered information from; the Department for Work and Pensions, Stockport Homes, Stockport Credit Union, Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Universal Credit Pathfinder authorities to make a number of recommendations to support further preparations.

The Executive is invited to receive the final report and to request that a response be prepared to the recommendations contained within it.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Philip Harding) of the Scrutiny Review “Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime” attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to prepare a response to the “Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the “Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime” Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.