Decision details

Members received an update on the welfare reforms, including a parliamentary letter which had added foster parents, members of the armed forces and families with severely disabled children to the list of those receiving exemptions from the reductions in benefits for having ‘empty bedrooms’. It was also reported that around 20 households in the Borough had been identified as being affected by the benefit cap. The Discretionary Housing Payment fund was discussed, but it was noted that this was only a short term support of up to thirteen weeks.

Concern was expressed regarding many aspects of the changes, but in particular the fact that some disabled residents would have made adaptations to their properties at their own cost or a cost to the authority, but would now be penalised for remaining in them if they had an empty bedroom. It was requested that the authority write to the Government to express this concern, not only for the residents but also for the authority, which would have to pay for new adaptations in another property, should the resident be forced to move.

It was requested that a follow-up report be brought in six months.

RESOLVED –

(i)         representation be made to Government with regard to those with adapted properties;

(ii)        a further report be brought to the Commission in six months.