Agenda item

The Executive Member for Finance and Governance submitted a report for Executive’s consideration, the purpose of which was to address inconsistencies, updates and presentational issues that required minor amendments to the current policy.

The Council recognised that some residents may be regarded as vulnerable for a variety of reasons and required support to repay any debts owed. There was no strict definition of ‘vulnerable’, although the policy did provide some information around a number of scenarios where this may have applied. The list was not exhaustive, and it would be for officers to determine if someone was presenting as vulnerable. Once a resident had been identified as vulnerable, and thus requiring support, that an alternative approach to debt recovery should be considered.

The three-year review provided the opportunity to refresh the policy and make the necessary amends. During the operational period of the policy, the Council had implemented the Welfare Strategy which brought together a number of services to provide a wide range of support for residents. This provided further assistance to the most vulnerable and would not only maximise income through the identification of any unclaimed benefit entitlement, but also provided wider opportunity to reduce debts through any free advice or available grant funded opportunities (such as discretionary housing payments or household support funding).

Through early intervention, alternative options for repayment of debt could be discussed and agreed and this may have extended to working with a third party or liaising with a relative as and when required.

The minor amendments to the policy as outlined in paragraph two would ensure that the current process for recovery remained transparent and consistent. This policy would continue with the principle that residents should only be required to pay what they can afford, whilst ensuring the debt is repaid in the long term.

ORDERED

That Executive approves the refresh of the policy to address inconsistencies, updates and presentational issues that require minor amendments. The amendments were:

·         Update the policy to reflect the way in which assistance was provided to those who were hard of hearing / deaf. This would be achieved through the use of British Sign Language interpreters and utilised for the resident via their agreed method of communication e.g. face to face, online etc;

·         Reference to the Council’s welfare strategy as this strategy was not formally in place when the previous Vulnerability policy was agreed;

·         Confirmation that vulnerable residents would be signposted to the Benefits or

·         Welfare Rights services to ensure that their income was fully maximised to support the repayment of any outstanding debts

OPTIONS

Leave the policy unaltered: although the policy did not make any reference to the Welfare Strategy which was pivotal to the way in which debt recovery was now undertaken.

The current policy did not make any reference as to how those who were hard of hearing or deaf would be treated which should be a consideration. In addition, the existing policy did not provide confirmation of how the Council can support residents to maximise benefit entitlement through the identification of any unclaimed benefits.

REASONS

The policy was a key decision that impacted on two or more wards and as such required Executive approval.

That delegated authority to approve any future minor revisions/modifications is provided to the Director of Finance and the Executive Member of Finance and Governance to reflect the financial / economic climate as necessary.

The updated policy upholds good practice within democratic processes and enables the refreshed policy to maintain visibility with the Executive.

The minor amends would result in no changes to the threshold to services and support provided.

Delegated authority to the Director of Finance and Executive Member of Finance and Governance to approve future minor modifications to the policy-maintained service operation levels. As a working policy, failure to keep pace with new legislation or working practices left the Council at risk and can result in inconsistent practices.

The proposals provided clarification and ensured vulnerable residents had a clear understanding of the Council’s approach to any outstanding debts and the support that they will be provided with.