Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the Discretionary Housing Payment Policy in Appendix 2 be approved.

2.    decisions relating to the award of DHP in line with the policy and DWP guidance, be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits, with the final decision in the event of dispute being taken by the Chief Finance Officer.

3.    the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to apply to DCLG for an accounting direction if it appears that the annual allocation will be exceeded in any financial year

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report. She explained that the council has powers to award Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to provide additional financial assistance towards housing costs where claimants are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, provided housing costs are included. The report proposed an updated policy to include the council’s responsibilities in respect of Universal Credit claimants and ensure that consistent decisions are made. Funding would be provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety gave their support to the proposals. They considered that the introduction of Universal Credit would have an adverse impact on those most in need and the recommendations in this report would allow the council to respond more flexibly to the additional demands created.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the Discretionary Housing Payment Policy in Appendix 2 be approved.

2.    decisions relating to the award of DHP in line with the policy and DWP guidance, be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits, with the final decision in the event of dispute being taken by the Chief Finance Officer.

3.    the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to apply to DCLG for an accounting direction if it appears that the annual allocation will be exceeded in any financial year