Issue - meetings

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

Following the submission of the final report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committees Joint Scrutiny Review "Impact of Welfare Reform” on 18 March 2014, a response to the recommendations of the Review has been prepared and subsequently approved by the Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the Executive Response as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Alison Blount on 0161 474 5107 or email: alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the final report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committees’ Joint Scrutiny Review  on the Impact of Welfare Reform” which had been adopted by the Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·        A discussion took place with regard to the improvement that had been made to the Council’s website and the impact on accessibility and consequent increase in applications being made online.  It was stated that notwithstanding those improvements that had already been made, it was acknowledged that there remained scope for further enhancements.

·        It was commented that the Council needed to secure appropriate legal advice in relation to any proposal to amend the Council’s contracting arrangements to make provision for a minimum number of apprenticeships as part of the tendering process.

·        It was noted that work needed to be done to ensure that Stockport Credit Union was able to more readily respond to customer demand to combat the impact of loan sharks and pay day lenders.

RESOLVED – That the Executive’s response be noted.

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

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 the recommendations made by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committees as part of its Scrutiny Review "Impact of Welfare Reform”

Councillor Iain Roberts (Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services)) reported that Stockport Local assistance scheme (SLAS)  is working on a partnership agreement with the Credit Union which would build capacity to enable the provision of more affordable sources of credit.  SLAS is developing proposals for a one off developmental grant to enable the Credit Union to establish the necessary infrastructure to deliver this. The aim was to enable the Credit Union to be a credible alternative to loan sharks. To do this they needed the capacity to make on the spot decisions about a loan rather than taking a number of days as the current situation.  

He also reported that The Executive supported the idea of providing free Wi-Fi access in all Council and other public buildings and he had asked officers to report back to him of the feasibility of such a development.

The Lead Member for the Scrutiny Review (Councillor Alexander Ganotis) attended the meeting and welcomed the Executive response.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the Scrutiny Review "Impact of Welfare Reform” be approved subject to the inclusion of amendments reported at the meeting by the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services).

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

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee and Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Welfare Reform Act brings about a significant overhaul of the way in which benefits are administered and allocated. The diverse scope of the Act cuts across council portfolios and has implications for a range of council services, partner agencies and residents.

The Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee, and Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee agreed to carry out a joint scrutiny review on the impact of Welfare Reform. The decision to carry out a joint scrutiny review was taken in order to enable co-ordinated and holistic consideration of the impact of welfare changes on service providers and residents.

The Review makes a number of recommendations intended to support and further develop the good work already underway

The Executive is invited to receive the report and prepare a response to the recommendations contained therein.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander, 0161 474 3186, Gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) invited the Executive Meeting to receive the Final Report of the Adult Social Care & Housing and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance scrutiny committees’ joint Review “Impact of Welfare Reform”.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Service be requested to prepare a response to the “Impact of Welfare Reform” 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 “Impact of Welfare Reform” Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Impact of Welfare Reform.

The Welfare Reform Act brings about a significant overhaul of the way in which benefits are administered and allocated. The diverse scope of the Act cuts across council portfolios and has implications for a range of council services, partner agencies and residents.

The Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee, and Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee agreed to carry out a joint scrutiny review on the impact of Welfare Reform. The decision to carry out a joint scrutiny review was taken in order to enable co-ordinated and holistic consideration of the impact of welfare changes on service providers and residents.

The Review makes a number of recommendations intended to support and further develop the good work already underway.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon the draft Final Report prior to its submission to the Executive.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander on 474 3186 or email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Kate Butler introduced the final report on the draft Scrutiny Review on the impact of Welfare Reform. The aim of the review was to ensure that the Council was prepared to respond effectively to the trends beginning to emerge from the implementation of welfare reforms.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The impact of the reduction in housing benefit and the use of discretionary housing payments based on individual circumstances.

·         The use of discretionary housing payments had mitigated the impact of the number of people going into rent arrears and a great deal of work was being undertaken to ensure that those entitled to payments were accessing them.

·         The operation of foodbanks in the borough and limits placed on the issuing of foodbank vouchers. Councillors reflected on the vital role played by volunteers who ran foodbanks who received no regular funding. Members were keen that the Council continue to support foodbanks where possible.

·         Councillors discussed problems which people may experience with the increasing move to on-line benefits and the alternative ways that people could continue to access benefits.

·         Councillors expressed grave concern at the consequences of sanctions which had arisen from the introduction of the Claimant Commitments. This had led to an increased demand on foodbanks and could potentially force people to resolve to even further desperate measures.

·         It was unanimously agreed that the report was comprehensive and Councillors endorsed all the recommendations contained within it.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive for consideration and that the Executive be informed that the Scrutiny Committee supports the recommendations detailed in the report.