To approve creation of an internal advice and support service for residents affected by the roll out of Universal Credit and LCTRS.  Seek agreement to commissioning of specialist services from independent agencies.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To approve the creation of an internal advice and support service for residents affected by the roll out of Universal Credit and self-employed residents in receipt of Local Council Tax Reduction.

2.    To agree that specialist services should be commissioned as set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report from a range of independent agencies.

3.    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Resources, after consultation with Corporate Director of Governance, to enter into any necessary agreements following a procurement exercise for the specialist services

4.    To note the budget from which staffing requirements were to be funded from the Tackling Poverty Fund.

5.    That a meeting be arranged with the Tower Hamlets Community Advice Network.

6.    That the proposed review of the in house advice team be undertaken within the first year of service.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Tackling Poverty Programme Manager (E. Kershaw)