Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Revenue Services on a bid submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions in respect of a project designed to increase take up by benefits by pensioners.

The action taken in submitting the bid to recruit a Welfare Benefits Adviser at each authority in Cambridgeshire to target pensioner take up of pension credit, housing and council tax benefit to the DWP be endorsed.

That in the event that the application for funding is approved by the DWP, the grant awarded be released and the Head of Revenue Services authorised to implement the scheme for a period of two years subject to a review six months prior to its expiry.

By way of a report by the Head of Revenue Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with details of a bid for funding submitted to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) which, if successful, would enable increased pensioner benefit take up, through partnership working within Cambridgeshire. 

The Cabinet noted that the Council has acted as lead authority for Cambridgeshire and had submitted a bid for funds to recruit a Welfare Benefits Adviser at each authority to target pensioner take up of pension credit, housing and council tax benefit.  In that respect and subject to the scheme being approved within the Medium Term Plan, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)that the action taken in submitting the bid to the DWP be endorsed; and

  (b)that, in the event that the application for funding is approved by the DWP, the grant awarded be released and the Head of Revenue Services authorised to implement the scheme for a period of two years subject to a review six months prior to its expiry.