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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Tuesday 8 July 2014
REPORT OF Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service
Report prepared by Stephen McGinnes
1. Discretionary Housing Payments
1.1 Key Issue for Consideration
1.1.1 To consider the future policy for the award of Discretionary Housing payments.
1.2 Recommendation of Head of Revenues and Benefits
1.2.1 That the Committee consider the proposed policy for the award of Discretionary Housing Payments.
1.3 Reasons for Recommendation
1.3.1 The Council is provided with an annual Discretionary Housing Payment budget by the Department for Work and Pensions in order to provide additional financial support to that awarded through housing benefit.
1.3.2 Discretionary Housing Payments operate outside of the main benefit system but for ease of administration are normally paid alongside housing benefit . The payments are limited to providing support with housing costs within the rental sector and cannot support home owners.
1.3.3 From April 2013 the Government increased the level of funding for discretionary housing payments in order for councils to help residents affected by welfare reform and more specifically, the new size restriction for social housing and cap on overall benefit levels.
1.3.4 The budget available to Maidstone BC increased from £126,000 in 2012/13 to £247,000 in 2013/14 and £257,000 in 2014/15.
1.3.5 Whilst this represents a significant increase in budget, demand for DHP is high due to the number of households affected by welfare reform changes.
1.3.6 The policy sets out the councils aims in operating the DHP scheme and types of situations that it will prioritise.
1.4 Alternative Action and why not Recommended
1.4.1 The council could operate a scheme without adopting a policy, however, given the continued demand it is considered important that the council makes clear its approach and priorities for awards.
1.5 Impact on Corporate Objectives
1.5.1 Delivery of the policy is intended to ensure that residents are not
disadvantaged because of where they live or who they are, vulnerable people are assisted and the level of deprivation is reduced.
1.6 Risk Management
1.6.1 Demand for DHP may exceed the available budget in the future.
1.6.2 To address that risk the service will monitor projected expenditure and report any variance along with suggested actions.
1.7 Other Implications
1.7.1
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1. Financial
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2. Staffing
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3. Legal
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4. Equality Impact Needs Assessment
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5. Environmental/Sustainable Development
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6. Community Safety
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7. Human Rights Act
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8. Procurement
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9. Asset Management
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1.7.2 Financial
A budget of £257,000 has been made available by the Department for Work and Pensions and an additional contribution of £40,000 agreed by Maidstone BC.
1.7.2 Equality Impact Needs Assessment
An Equality Impact Needs Assessment has been undertaken and is provided as appendix B.
1.8 Relevant Documents
DWP Guidance on Discretionary Housing Payments
1.8.1 Appendices
Appendix A Discretionary housing Payment Policy
Appendix B Equality Impact Needs Assessment
1.8.2 Background Documents
None
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How to Comment Should you have any comments on the issue that is
being considered please contact either the relevant Officer or the Member
of the Executive who will be taking the decision. Cllr Steve McLoughlin Cabinet
Member for Corporate Services Telephone:
07711565489 E-mail:
stevemcloughlin@maidstone.gov.uk Stephen McGinnes Head
of Revenues and Benefits Telephone:
01622602310 E-mail:
stephenmcginnes@maidstone.gov.uk