The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Welfare and Community Safety advised that she had tasked a Deputy Portfolio Holder with finding savings for the service while they also considered ways to increase income. In Licensing there had been further harmonisation within the service. A report had been prepared in case central government did permit locally set licence fees under the Licensing Act 2003, as fees did not currently cover costs.

Internet safety was a concern for most parents and the Council was working on it with KCC and Kent Police. There was to be an internet safety day on 11 February 2014 educating about unsuitable websites, giving away personal details, grooming and cyber-bullying. Older residents would be educated about the Cyber Street and how to avoid scams. She was pleased that Silly Billy, a local children’s entertainer, had agreed to help the campaign.

Key welfare reforms had been introduced in April 2013 meaning that all residents paid a minimum of 8.5% of their Council Tax. This would rise to 18.5% in April 2014, affecting 18,350 taxpayers. There was also a reduction of 14% in Housing Benefit. 22 households were affected by the benefit cap of £350 (£500 for couples and those with children living with them). It was estimated that 20 households fell within a loophole on rules to incentivise downsizing. Although the Universal Credit was expected in 2016 this was subject to any possible political change in central government.

The Housing, Energy and Retraining Options (HERO) service had been effective in providing holistic outreach advice to residents in difficulty and reducing homelessness and encouraging people to retrain and get back into employment.  Hero service was provided for Moat  and West Kent Housing tenants as well as for some KCC Children centres which attracted income. The Council had received interest from Swale Borough Council in extending the project to them. The intention was for HERO not just to cover its costs but eventually to make money for the Council.

The Chairman invited Members to put questions to the Portfolio Holder. Members expressed support for the HERO scheme and were glad to hear of its success. A Member was interested in knowing more about the work of HERO, which areas benefited most and what sorts of issues. The Portfolio Holder agreed for this information to be provided outside of the meeting. There were two HERO Officers who were externally funded but the KCC Children centres were being reduced due to efficiencies so there was capacity to extend the service.

Action 1: The Portfolio Holder to provide further information to Members concerning the focus of HERO.

A Member was interested in the costs of the internet safety campaign and noted several other public authorities already provided internet safety advice. The Portfolio Holder confirmed the service was part of the Council’s statutory community safety duty but was free. It mostly consisted of website links to other advice providers.

The Chairman noted the Portfolio was one of the largest in the Cabinet and asked whether it was a manageable size. She felt it was but the Deputy Portfolio Holders assisted her and was particularly glad for the Deputy who focused on welfare matters. She did not think the Portfolio should be split as it fitted logically together.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder advised that since HERO commenced, there had been 1182 referrals of which 348 had been given advice, 418 had ben given back to work activities such as training with 57 returning to work and 359 had benefit advice. These figures are up to the end of December 2013.