COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 1 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Christine Grice, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on working arrangements that have been put in place between the Council's Universal Credit Support Team and Citizens Advice, following the DWP's funding of Citizens Advice to deliver Help To Claim? How many residents have been referred between the two? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Help to Claim Service is now co-located at Woolwich Jobcentre to assist claimants with new claims for Universal Credit, and assist with queries up until first payment. The CAB took this over completely from the end of April following the new staff being trained and allowing for a smooth transition period. The CAB also receive queries through their national telephone line, and via their online webchat. Whilst it would be rare for the council to refer existing UC customers back to the CAB, since the CAB offers the initial part of the claim process, the council recognises that the CAB is still currently embedding in the Help to Claim model which has been set by Citizens Advice nationally, whilst also going through a reorganisation due to changes in their funding. Communication is on-going with them to update their required data sharing agreements to allow the CAB to accept referrals directly, and to continue to ensure that the two services are adapting to what is needed and to avoid duplication of service. Myself and the new Director of Finance are looking to visit the CAB in due course. The Jobcentre recently provided statistics which showed there were 7908 claimants in receipt of UC at the end of May. They report that Woolwich JCP is the busiest jobcentre in South London for claims getting to first payment per week, which is averaging between 150-200 claims per week. ITEM NO: 9 The Universal Support team now provide alternative outreach at Woolwich JCP to support claimants who are already on UC and experiencing any difficulties, as well as receiving referrals from a range of departments and services including Housing, Oxleas and the Jobcentre. Both the CAB and Universal Support team attend the UC Advice Hub at the Clockhouse Community Centre. We are routinely supporting clients to reduce the deductions being applied to their UC award, identifying additional benefit entitlement, challenging and resolving entitlement issues, and wider budgeting help. The service is increasingly working with clients with complex needs who require a range of holistic support and interventions to assist them to be able to manage themselves. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 2 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Council What is the Leader of the Council's assessment of the High Court ruling last month which rejected Waltham Forest and Hackney Council's judicial review against the government's instruction to stop publishing their council- run magazines on a fortnightly basis? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. I am sure that the ruling came as a disappointment to our colleagues in Waltham Forest and Hackney and that they are considering the impact this will have on their residents who are not online. I am also glad that we have an agreement with the government to be able to produce our own printed information in the form of Greenwich Info each fortnight. It is essential that we promote our services to those who don’t browse the web or post on social media, as it is these residents who are often most in need. In fact I was recently contacted by an older resident who had heard, incorrectly, that Royal Greenwich information was to be made digital only. He was distressed and quite angry that this decision would isolate himself and his peers – he was adamant that regular printed information was a lifeline for them. I am sorry that the residents of Waltham Forest and Hackney will no longer benefit from a resource that cost effectively delivers information to their doorstep. Here in Royal Greenwich, ensuring residents have equal access to information, and our services, will continue to be underpinned by both print and digital promotion. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 3 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor David Gardner, Cabinet Member for Public Realm Can the Deputy Leader provide an update on his top three priorities in his new cabinet brief? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. I have four top priorities including closing the budget gap in street services. The other three policy priorities which should all support our Greener Greenwich strategy and Climate Emergency are: 1) Adopting a Strategy and Plan moving “Towards Zero Waste” and reversing the recent decline in recycling/composting rates to put RBG on track for our 2025 and 2030 targets; 2) Promoting a high quality, greener and cleaner Public Realm throughout the Borough working alongside relevant Cabinet colleagues; 3) Promoting the manifesto commitment of creating Healthy Streets at every opportunity and as part of the systematic plan cognisant of resources, logistical challenges and the importance of public consultation. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 4 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Christine Grice, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the development of the new Medium Term Financial Strategy? If there is to be a one-year Spending Review, as has been speculated, what would be the implications for the development of the new MTFS? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. It is essential that the Council understands its financial environment if it is able to plan in a sustainable way and as a responsible authority, the Royal Borough of Greenwich operates on a four year budget strategy. We do this to ensure that we use all of our resources to make the biggest impact we can, whether it is supporting people with disabilities, looking after children, maintaining community centres or cleaning the streets, the council strives to provide the best possible services. It is deeply disturbing that the promised spending review does not appear to deliver that security. A one year approach is wholly unsatisfactory and this Council, along with many others, is developing a four plan, because pressures such as those on temporary accommodation, arising from homeless families are happening right now. In the simplest terms, the population has grown and more people have had to use our services, so we are planning ahead. However, we await the new Prime Minister and his team to determine how much more funding will be cut from the residents of this borough. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 5 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Christine Grice, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on how many and what proportion of Council Tax payers pay by direct debit? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. The number of Council Tax payers using Direct Debit as a payment method as at 30th June 2019 has increased to 63,789 representing 54% of the council tax base. The rate is monitored monthly to ensure we continue the increase in the number of Council Tax payers using this method of payment. We have: introduced further payment reminder notifications and enclosed Direct Debit mandate forms with all reminders worked with colleagues in Communication to design a new Direct Debit campaign and the mandates that accompany the reminders are a result updated the Council’s home web page to promote the availability of Direct Debt introduced “any date” payments allowing residents to choose their preferred payment date trained front line contact staff to promote Direct Debit as the primary method of payment when new residents move into the Borough. In addition to trying to increase the number of Direct Debit payments we have also introduced a range of other methods to increase our “in-year collection”. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 6 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Sustainability and Transport Can the Cabinet Member provide a timeline for the development of the new Greenwich Carbon Neutral Plan between now and January 2020, as agreed at the last Full Council meeting? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question. Work on developing a carbon neutral plan has already started. To ensure the final action plan is robust and delivers on its ambitious target, it will have to be based on a range of specialist, technical, analyses. This includes an independent audit of Council services. This will require specialist technical input, which the Council will have to procure through the proper processes, before the required analyses can then be undertaken. It will require: Time to collect evidence and assess the proposed actions. Detailed plans for the options chosen, including financial models and funding options. Evaluation of the opportunities to deliver co-benefits to our residents through job creation, air quality improvements and tackling fuel poverty. We also need to make sure that views of stakeholders are taken into account. Following this approach, we will work to publish the first part of our 2030 Carbon Neutral Plan for the Council by January 2020. ITEM NO: 9 COUNCIL 17 JULY 2019 MEMBERS QUESTIONS 7 Question from Councillor Matt Hartley, to Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Adult’s Social Care and Health Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council's response to the welcome new Blue Badge guidelines published by MHCLG last month, expanding the scheme to residents with 'hidden disabilities'? What is the likely impact in Greenwich? Reply – I thank Councillor Matt Hartley for his question.