To consider the briefing note.

The Head of Revenues and Benefits introduced the item and explained that a number of changes to Universal Credit had been announced in the Autumn Budget, which had meant the full roll-out for the service had been delayed from February to May 2018. She outlined some of the key changes, which included residents being able to make new claims for original benefits, such as Housing Benefit or Income Support, up until May 2018; free helplines being introduced; and increased Advances. Members were reminded that a Universal Credit briefing would take place on February 26^th, which all were invited to attend.

Members were reminded that Universal Credit had been available in the Royal Borough since September 2015, and there had been 399 customers claiming the benefit since that date. Based on forecast figures provided by the DWP, it was anticipated that there would be 500 new Universal Credit claims made in the Royal Borough between May 2018 and the end of March 2019; of those, 68 were expected to come to the Council for additional assistance. The Head of Revenues and Benefits explained that the Council would be liaising with the DWP in order for further briefing information to be given to staff and partners.

Cllr Ilyas noted that the report stated the Council had received £6,074 for 2017/18 as they had signed up to two new services but it was not known what would be provided for 2018/19; he asked if this had been factored into next year’s budget. The Head of Revenues and Benefits said there was some provision in the budget for this, and it was expected that the funding to be provided would be lower than the 2017/18 figure.

Regarding the number of anticipated new claimants, The Head of Revenues and Benefits said the figure stated in section 3.10 of the report was based on a funding formula supplied by the DWP and was likely to be less.

Cllr Quick asked if any leaflets that clearly explained the changes to Universal Credit were available to residents. The Head of Revenues and Benefits said the DWP considered the roll-out to be their project that they should administer themselves, and any form of communication would need to be agreed by them. However information would be available on the Council’s website. Cllr Mrs Rayner said it was planned to use libraries and mobile libraries as a means of informing residents about the changes to Universal Credit.

Responding to a question from Cllr Jones about the actual levels of risk associated with the roll-out compared to perception, The Head of Revenues and Benefits explained that a higher level of risk had been identified from customers failing to engage with the DWP in the way they would be expected to. However these risks had been mitigated by the Council’s budget. Cllr Saunders stated there was a significant gap between people’s concerns about Universal Credit and its possible impacts, compared to a rational analysis of what the likely impacts would be.

Members were informed that the Council would continue to provide help for claimants for Council Tax Support and discretionary Housing Benefits. Other services would be incorporated into the Universal Credit. The Head of Revenues and Benefits said that claimants who did not have a change in their circumstances would not be affected by the roll-out to Universal Credit. The remaining claimants would be migrated across to the new benefit; however the Council had not yet received those details from the DWP. New benefits claimants would be directed towards the Universal Credit.

Members were informed that there had been no changes in the number of council staff assigned to handling benefits claims. There were fewer than 50 residents who were receiving additional benefits support from the Council.