Issue - meetings

Questions by the Public

 

 

Meeting: 22/04/2013 - City Council (Item 99)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which are about something the Council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Seven questions had been received from members of the public in relation to matters which in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, were relevant to the business of the meeting, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.

 

Mr Aldred (Q8), Mr Taylor- Wickenden (Q10), Dr Alldridge (Q11) and Mr Willcox (Q12) attended the meeting and the Cabinet Members responded as set out below.

 

In the absence of the questioners for Q9, Q13 and Q14 below, written responses would be sent to Mr Moore, Mr Davey and Mr Fidler as set out below.     

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q8/12-13

Mr R Aldred

Councillors Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) and Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Cooperatives and Community Development)

 

Cuts in Housing Benefit

This labour council have said that they are opposed to the spare room subsidy or bedroom tax, and I would like to know what steps they will be taking to ensure that housing associations do not evict those who are unable to afford the 14-25 per cent cut in Housing Benefit?

 

Response:

 

The council has taken a very proactive stance on mitigating the negative impact of the coalition Governments welfare reform changes. It is actively working to limit this, and examples of partnership initiatives to prevent evictions that result from loss of benefit due to under-occupation are:

 

·       Identifying individual households affected and targeting support:  The council’s Revenues and Benefits Department have identified every household that will receive reduced levels of Housing Benefit, and have shared this information with housing associations.  At a recent partnership meeting, housing association partners assured the local authority that they are proactively contacting each and every affected tenant to offer support.  In addition visiting officers from the local authority and the Department for Works and Pensions will combine to offer specialist affordability/employment related support to households in social housing who are experiencing high levels of loss (due to the combined impact of being subject to the benefit cap)

·        Pre-court eviction prevention panel:  A new initiative about to be piloted with tenants of Devon and Cornwall Homes (DCH) with support provided by Shelter.  The aim of the panel is to ensure that tenants engage with support after they have been issued with a notice seeking possession.  The next step would normally be court proceedings, but support to develop a personal action plan (delivered alongside a realistic view about future housing options) proactively seeks to prevent eviction.  Support will include development of an arrears repayment plan; money management skills; help to address debt issues; income maximisation work and other support required on an individual basis.

·       Support to access Discretionary Housing Payments:  Our partnership forum is specifically working with housing associations to develop access to this limited funding pot for tenants who simply cannot afford the additional amount and would otherwise fall into rent arrears.  Priorities will include affected social tenants where: properties have been substantially adapted around tenant’s disability needs; where a medical condition, behavioural issues or disability mean that it is unsuitable for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99