Agenda item

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

Mr Austin presented the report. He drew members’ attention to the fact that some of the difficulties and pressures regarding Universal Credit are slowly alleviating as the government changes its policy. This is in response to some of the debates that took place in the Summer which changed the time allowed between notification and payment which should make matters easier but this is a new policy. The other side is that there is a limited choice in its application. However, officers are used to dealing with customers who are coming in under stress. Staff have been trained to manage this stress and as part of the works being done, officers will make sure that all of the traffic movement of people through the pressure points of the building is revisited.

Mr Austin said there has been a delay in the installation of the front doors but also that each station has a panic button and CCTV installed. Works will continue to be monitored. At the moment the full roll back has slipped until July and could slip again. It is not Lewisham’s benefit, so officers are unable to change how it is administered in terms of a discretionary application.

Councillor Till said that he was concerned to read that the first payment is made 35 days after the claim for Universal Credit is received. He asked how Lewisham could protect employees. Mr Austin said that officers are reviewing the environment, ensuing that there is training and that they have the tools to provide support if necessary. A number of those services have been brought together; housing is now working out of access point so there is a stronger base of support. There is also support available at the one stop shop. Some claimants may not come into Lewisham’s offices, preferring to apply on line. This reduces pressure on front line services but can create frustrations. There have been complaints that applicants could not find the applications.

Mr Austin said that he believes that officers have done all they can to support residents, but there will be clarity when it is rolled out. There will be recipients who will become used to the new Universal Credit, but others could find it incredibly difficult and may need additional support. Officers are sensitive and alert to this and that is why monitoring will continue. One of the housing strategies is to try to identify situations early to prevent the eviction process which takes longer for a resident to recover from as opposed to a short term cash flow problem.

Councillor Handley asked whether the Council would guarantee the rent to the Landlord. Mr Austin said that Lewisham has discretion to make certain interventions.

Councillor Britton asked what options are available to people during the 35 day period between application and decision. Mr Austin said that the period had reduced because of lobbying. He said that transition should bridge the gap but he was not sure how that would work at this stage. Short of putting more money into this area which in this period of austerity could mean a shortfall in another critical service, there is little Lewisham can do because it is a national scheme.

Ms Knappett said that she said that some people are taking out loans to cover the shortfall she is glad that there is flexibility for advances. However, the loan must be paid over the following months and that is why it is difficult to survive financially for 3 months after these advances have been paid. Mr Austin agreed, he said that some people choose to pay for other items instead of paying their rent.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.