Verbal report.
Minutes:
The Chair, County Councillor Ed Nash, reminded members of the three themes which the External Scrutiny Committee would concentrate on:
· Carbon Reduction
· Universal Credit and Welfare
· Flood Risk Management
Regarding Universal Credit, the committee was informed that its recommendations which were formulated in February 2020 were presented to Cabinet in March 2020 and a formal written response was awaited.
An update on Universal Credit and the pandemic in Lancashire from the Welfare Rights Service perspective was presented under this item.
The Chair welcomed to the meeting County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing; Jo Barker, Welfare Rights Service Manager; Andrea Smith, Public Health Specialist (Wider Determinants) Lancashire County Council; Rachel Whippy, Chief Officer Citizens Advice; and Jenny Duthie, Universal Credit Help to Claim Best Practice Lead, Citizens Advice. It was reported that there had been a significant impact by the pandemic across Lancashire in terms of the number of claims for Universal Credit that had been received. In particular there had been a marked increase in caseloads for vulnerable residents in Lancashire. The pandemic had a considerable impact on households in poverty and people with health related issues.
The Welfare Rights Team had recently revamped its website in line with its service offer. There was useful information on the website around challenging decisions for people of a pension age and for carers as well as benefits e-learning courses and information on Covid. A new email box had been established to take enquiries digitally from members of the public. The team was also making use of social media channels to share information. A staff duty line had also been created for county council staff so that they could have simple enquiries dealt with. The team was also looking at updating its information on the county council's intranet (internal) website.
A number of comments and issues were raised by members and the following were points noted:
· The committee expressed their admiration for the Welfare Rights Team and how valuable their work was. The committee offered its full support to the team.
· Concerns were raised over Universal Credit and sick pay. There had been some confusion during the pandemic about whether people could receive statutory sick pay or employment and support allowance or Universal Credit. It was pointed out that people on sick pay could claim Universal Credit. If people had to self-isolate or were vulnerable and unable to work, they could claim sick pay from day one. On the Covid pages of the Welfare Rights' website there were links to financial information. The website had also a link to an online benefit calculator. People could also contact the Welfare Rights Team or contact Citizens Advice for information.
· It was noted that Shared Lives Carers were treated as self-employed and that this was costing the county council more money.
· Members were informed that the extra costs to the local authority due to the impact of the pandemic varied across the county. The Welfare Rights Team needed more information on this from the services affected.
· The knowledge and experience of the Welfare Rights Team would be enhanced by working closely with the business intelligence team and other relevant county council services.
· It was stated that capacity had been a considerable issue during the pandemic and this had inhibited the progress of responding to the recommendations formulated by the External Scrutiny Committee in February 2020. It was suggested that County Councillor Gillian Oliver be reappointed as rapporteur by the committee to meet with officers from the Public Health Team to review relevant Council policy and in particular to discuss and answer the previous recommendations made by the External Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 25 February 2020.
Resolved: That;
1. County Councillor Gillian Oliver be reappointed as rapporteur on the matter of Universal Credit in Lancashire, tasked to meet with Officers from the Lancashire County Council Public Health Team to both review relevant Council policy and in particular to discuss and answer the previous recommendations made by the External Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 25 February 2020.
2. That County Councillor Oliver, together with the Public Health Team reports back to the External Scrutiny Committee as soon as is practicable.