Agenda item

To consider the Council’s strategy for social welfare in Brent and the implications of the management of current public health concerns.

Councillor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, introduced a report on the social welfare implications of the current COVID19 epidemic and the support available to Brent residents and proposals for additional support. The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         In response to a question from the Chair it was noted that the Council would seek to support as many people as it could through the interest-free loan proposal and those that it was unable to support financially would be signposted to other organisations that could. Loans would be given only to those that were in a position to pay them back, and potential recipients would be referred to the credit union to complete the assessment to ascertain this. Potential recipients would also get direct access to financial advice agencies should they struggle with repayments.

·         The Committee expressed concern about the cost of supporting the Council Tax Support Scheme as more residents become eligible. The council had already factored in a likely increase in those applying to the Hardship Fund and to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The Committee was reassured that the spend would be regularly monitored and it was unlikely the Council would find itself in a position where it would be unable to honour the Council Tax Support Scheme. Strong financial controls would be in place to ensure total expenditure does not exceed the grant amount.

·         Referrals for the interest-free loans proposal are expected to come from all avenues. Frontline staff, and in particular those at the borough’s hubs, the Housing team and the Customer Services team, were being trained to be able to make those assessments. Decision-making would be as far down the chain as possible to allow for quick decisions. The Council was working with over 50 voluntary organisations and advice agencies on this proposal. Councillors would receive training to enable them to identify and support those that may benefit from this additional support.

·         The Committee expressed concern about Local Housing Allowance and the possibility that these rates were reduced post COVID19, as well the reversal of the easing of landlord restrictions and notice periods. It was agreed that the council needed to take an integrated approach when responding to the impacts of COVID19 which would help identify vulnerable residents.

·         Residents needed to prove that they had been financially impacted by COVID19 to be eligible for funding. Those that had been unwell with symptoms of COVID19, but were never tested and as such had no medical proof of having had the virus, would still be covered should they be able to prove financial hardship.

·         The borough had seen many of its job centres closed in recent years. Some job centre staff had been relocating to hubs and, despite these closures, the council was working more closely with job centres than it had been in the past. The Council would also ensure the Department for Work and Pensions were aware of the proposals outlined in the report.

·         It was noted that the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme had been utilised in response to COVID19 but had not been included in the proposals. The scheme would be reviewed later in the year, at which point it would be included as part of the council’s wider offer. 

·         It was noted that the council had begun recover missed council tax payments. As set out in its Council Tax Protocol, the Council would work with those unable to pay to see how it could support them. Collection procedures were constantly kept under review and the Committee was assured that further action would only be taken in instances of payment refusal.

·         In response to a question from the Committee it was noted that the council was proactively contacting residents about debt management and manageable payments of council tax. It was also looking to bring in a COVID19 online dashboard which would hold information on relevant services and collate and respond to potential issues for residents.

·         The Council had detailed information on its tenants who had fallen into arrears and assessments would be undertaken on this basis. Of concern was those who were renting in the private sector, as the Council did not have access to their information. It may be possible to undertake more proactive outreach as a result of the information gathered due to COVID19. The Committee was reassured that permission was always sought from residents should the council wish to undertake a detailed assessment.

·         It was noted that the Council was not able to divert slippage from the Hardship Fund to those who had no recourse to public funds, but it was going to apply for central government funding in order to support these residents.

·         In regard to the longevity of the schemes, it was noted that the interest-free loan proposal would in theory be financially self-sufficient. The grant proposal would be more time bound, but the Council would look at ways in which funding for this could be made more sustainable.

·         Modelling of spend had been difficult. Until the schemes were rolled out to the public it was hard to predict. The grant scheme was expected to be in big demand, and demand was also expected to be high for the loan scheme. Rollout of the programme was expected be driven by demand rather than location, though should take up be low the council may need to take a geographical approach to some schemes.

Resolved

That it be recommended to Cabinet;

1.    That the COVID-19 Interest Free Loans Eligibility Criteria to include debt as part of the criteria, rather than just loss of income, as at present.

2.    That the department organise a member development session to brief elected members of the Council on the new support funds and when it may be appropriate to refer people to them.

3.    That the department use the information it has available on vulnerable local people to proactively contact them to advise of the support on offer, and accompany this with a media campaign through social media and traditional media.

4.    That the department conduct a review of its debt collection processes in the light of the COVID-19 crisis, to ensure that the circumstances of vulnerable people adversely affected by the epidemic will be taken into account.  

The Committee also made the following information requests:

1.    Information on what had been spent under the Local Welfare Assistant (LWA) over the period of lockdown.

2.    An update for the Committee on the work it can do to help people with no recourse to public funds.