Issue - meetings

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services submitted a report setting out the performance of key indicators relating to Community Scrutiny Committee for the period October to December 2012, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted and Essential Reference Paper ‘B’. 

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services explained the background to the increased time taken to process Housing Benefit / Council Tax new claims and change events (NI 181).  He gave Members full assurance that any impact on individual claimants had been minimal.  The time to process changes to Housing Benefit / Council Tax new claims and change events (NI 181) had dropped to 9.83 days for January.  He reassured Members that residents were treated as a priority.  Councillor N Symonds praised the service provided by the front line housing benefit staff.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services provided latest updates and announcements by government in relation to foster carers and the additional room subsidy (known as the ‘bedroom tax’). 

Members received the report and wished to recognise the efforts of the front line benefit staff and their exemplary efforts in supporting residents.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)       the efforts of the front line benefit staff and their exemplary efforts in supporting residents, be recognised.