Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Revenue Services regarding the increase in complex benefits assessments, the loss of benefit subsidy and the implications for the Benefits section.

Agreed to increase the number of Housing Benefit Assessment Officers by three on the terms outlined in the report now submitted.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Revenue Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the staff numbers in the Benefits Section of the Commerce and Technology Directorate, in light of a significant increase in caseload, the complexity associated with assessments and the potential loss of benefit subsidy if adjustments to claims were delayed.

Members were advised that in order to meet the Government’s threshold for processing claims and to avoid £70,000 in subsidy penalties, it was anticipated that three additional Housing Benefit Assessment Officers would be required.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that an additional three members of staff be recruited to the Housing Benefits section on the terms outlined in paragraph 7.3 of the report now submitted.