Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services providing the latest information about the impact of welfare reforms to date, and outlined the work to help residents cope with the introduction of Universal Credit in March 2015.

Members noted that the principal risk from a financial perspective was the expected rise in rent arrears. Officers advised that increased rental arrears would result in more evictions, from City housing, privately rented homes, and from other housing providers, which would impact on the City’s Homelessness Service and could impact on the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Members noted that a Financial Inclusion Programme had been developed with a number of projects designed to assist residents, including: intensive money management support and training, Local Welfare Assistance and small grants, and collaboration with external organisations (i.e. London Capital Credit Union and the National Illegal Moneylending Team).

Members thanked staff for their work to support residents and, at a Member’s suggestion, officers undertook to liaise with the Chamberlain’s Department regarding the possibility of creating charitable monies for loans for vulnerable tenants. Officers also undertook to investigate as to whether charitable monies could be made available from external sources.

RESOLVED – That:

1)    Officers investigate the option of loans for vulnerable residents;

2)    Officers investigate external charitable organisations;

3)    The information article be circulated to Members for inclusion in ward newsletters; and

4)    The report be noted.