RESOLVED that
1) the report be noted; and
RECOMMENDED that
2)
£15,000 be allocated from General Fund balances
in 2009/10 to provide additional resources within the Benefits
Service, as recommended by the Performance Development Team (PDT),
to improve the recovery of over-allowed Housing Benefit;
and
3)
the cost of
an additional post for this purpose be included in the base budget
from 1 April 2010.
(Officers were requested to provide a supply of leaflets regarding claims for benefits for the Roadshows. Officers were also requested to prepare a press release regarding claims for benefit highlighting the calculator on the Council’s website for those affected by the current economic climate.)