Agenda and minutes

It was resolved that all items be webcast.

Apologies were received from Councillors Brindle, Munford and Mrs Parvin.

Councillors Butler and Mrs Gooch substituted for Councillors Brindle and Munford respectively.

Councillor John A Wilson attended as a Visiting Member with an interest in Item 9 on the agenda, Local Council Tax Scheme & Impact of Welfare Reforms.

There were no disclosures.

It was agreed that all items be taken in public as propsed.

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2012 be agreed as a correct record of the meeting and duly signed.

Interviews with:

·  Zena Cooke, Director Of Regeneration and Communities;

·  Steve McGinnes, Head of Revenues & Benefits Shared Service; and

·  Jillie Smithies, Director of Operations, Golding Homes.

The Chairman welcomed Steve McGinnes, Head of Revenues & Benefits Shared Service and John Littlemore, Head of Housing & Community Services.

Mr McGinnes gave a presentation which outlined the following changes brought about by Welfare Reforms:

•  The Local Council Tax Discount Scheme;

•  Housing Benefit Scheme;

•  Universal Credit; and

•  Personal Independence Payments & Social Fund.

The options for the Local Council Tax Discount Scheme were presented to the Committee, as detailed in the report going to Cabinet on 25 July 2012.

It was explained that the preferred option, recommended in the report, was a local variation of the common framework agreed for schemes in Kent. The scheme would protect those of a pensionable age and pass on the impact of the 10% reduction in funding for Council Tax benefit from April 2013 to those of a working age.  Through the removal of the current 10% second homes discount and a reduction in the Class C exemption on empty properties, from 6 months to 1 month, the Council would be able to reduce the amount those currently receiving Council Tax Benefit would have to pay to 13%. 

It was confirmed that local variations of a common scheme would be accepted by Kent County Council who would be contributing £125,000 to help cover the cost of administration and would underwrite future cost increases for three years.

Members observed that the new scheme would affect a category of residents that had received full Council Tax benefit in the past. It was estimated that 3,000 of the 5,500 residents affected would fall into this category. The Committee requested a breakdown of residents across all Council Tax bands in receipt of Council Tax benefit.

Members were informed that the scheme Cabinet agreed would go out to public consultation on 6 August and a final decision would be made in November 2012. Consultation with residents would be conducted via the website and the Council would specifically write to those affected. The Committee requested that that an electronic version of the consultation document be circulated to it for comments and feedback.

Mr McGinnes highlighted recent changes to Housing Benefit including:

·  The extension of the single room rate to people under 35; and

·  Restriction to 4 bedroom rate of Housing Benefit.

And the following changes to come:

·  The Benefits cap of £350 for single persons and £500 family; and

·  Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) size criteria.

Members were informed that the Benefits cap would affect 80 households in Maidstone.  The size criteria which was the calculation of Housing Benefit based on accommodation need would replicate the size criteria that already applied to Housing Benefit claimants in the privately rented sector. These claims were assessed using the local housing allowance rules. The applicable maximum rent would be reduced by a national percentage rate depending on the number of spare bedrooms in the household. It was estimated that this would affect 21% of social households.

It was explained that the focus of Universal Credit was to reduce benefit dependence and decrease  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Chairman asked for nominations for representatives for the Joint Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Health Sub Committee. 

Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Mortimer and Vizzard were nominated and appointed as representatives for the Joint Health Sub Committee. 

It was resolved that Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Mortimer and Vizzard be appointed as Maidstone’s representatives on the Joint Health Sub Committee with Tunbridge Wells for the 2012-13 Municipal Year.

The Committee considered its Future Work Programme and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions. 

It was agreed that Housing and Housing Associations and the impact of Welfare Reforms should be the focus of the September meeting.  Steve McGinnes, Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service, John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Community Services, and Jillie Smithies from Golding Homes were identified as witnesses

The Committee considered its October meeting and its role as the Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Members agreed that the meeting should include updates on CCTV, Kent Police and

The Safer Maidstone Partnership.

It was resolved that:

a)  Housing and Housing Associations should be the focus of the September meeting with Steve McGinnes, John Littlemore and Jillie Smithers invited as witnesses;

b)  An update on the implementation of CCTV should be the focus of the next Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny meeting; and 

c)  Representatives from Kent Police and the Safer Maidstone  Partnership should be invited to the October meeting.

6.30 p.m. to 8.37 p.m.