Issue - meetings

This report sets out:    a recommended scheme for Local Welfare Assistance payments replacing the previous provision of similar services via Job Centre Plus and administered through the Department for Work and Pensions, and taking account of the outcomes from the recent public consultation process; the findings and outcomes of the consultation arrangements for the proposed Local Welfare Assistance Scheme carried out over a five week period between 6 December 2012 and 11 January 2013; the financial and equality impacts of the recommended Local Welfare Assistance Scheme for Brent residents.

(i) that approval and authorisation be given to the making and implementation of the recommended Local Welfare Assistance Scheme as set out in section 5 of this report by 31 March 2013 and utilising the non-ring-fenced government funding provision in full;

(ii)        that the findings on equalities and other impacts arising from the proposed scheme as set out in Section 5 of the report from the Deputy Director of Finance be noted;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Deputy Director of Finance to finalise the full scheme documentation by 31 March 2013 in accordance with the principles of the proposed Local Welfare Assistance Scheme as set out within the Director’s report.

The report from the Deputy Director of Finance set out a recommended scheme for Local Welfare Assistance payments replacing the previous provision of similar services via Job Centre Plus and administered through the Department for Work and Pensions, and taking account of the outcomes from the recent public consultation process. It also summarised the findings and outcomes of the consultation arrangements for the proposed Local Welfare Assistance Scheme carried out over a five week period between 6 December 2012 and 11 January 2013 and included the financial and equality impacts of the recommended Local Welfare Assistance Scheme for Brent residents.

Councillor R Moher (Lead Member, Resources) reminded the Executive that the council had discretion to award grants and in line with consultation, people would be targeted for support with the reduced funding available. Councillor Jones (Lead Member, Customers and Citizens) drew attention to the implications for equalities, the importance of timing and the need to pace spending.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval and authorisation be given to the making and implementation of the recommended Local Welfare Assistance Scheme as set out in section 5 of the report from the Deputy Director of Finance by 31 March 2013 and utilising the non-ring-fenced government funding provision in full;

(ii)        that the findings on equalities and other impacts arising from the proposed scheme as set out in Section 5 of the report from the Deputy Director of Finance be noted;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Deputy Director of Finance to finalise the full scheme documentation by 31 March 2013 in accordance with the principles of the proposed Local Welfare Assistance Scheme as set out within the Director’s report.