Publication - Minutes

Housing and Social Security Stakeholder Group minutes: April 2017

Published: 2 May 2018
Topic: Housing
Date of meeting: 25 April 2017
Date of next meeting: 25 July 2017
Location: Atlantic Quay, Glasgow

Minutes, agenda and papers of the meeting of the Housing and Social Security Stakeholder Group held on 25 April 2017.

Attendees and apologies

Present

Jules Oldham– Homeless Action Scotland
Caitlin McCorry – ALACHO
Ashley Campbell – CIH Scotland
Gillian Evans – SLGP (GCC)
Aoife Deery – Shelter Scotland
Michael McClements – COSLA
Hanna McCulloch – CPAG
Emma Sheilds – Renfrewshire Council
Sharon McIntyre – Wheatley Group
Rob Gowans – CAS
Beth Reid – Crisis
Moira Couper – Edinburgh City Council
David Bookbinder – GWSF
Margaret Dymond - Tenants Regional Network
John Landon - Tenants Regional Network
Laylea Thernier – Disability Agenda Scotland
June Deans – SLGP
Kirsty McKechnie - CPAG
Claudine Johnson - South Ayrshire Council
Elaine Bryne - SHN
Margery McDowell – Rent Service Scotland
Ann-Marie Devlin - NG Homes
Tony Cain - ALACHO
Nicola Dickie - CoSLA

Scottish Government

Owen Griffiths (Chair)
Susan Carsley
Yvonne Harris
Pauline Torley
Chris Boyland
Nicola Smith

Items and actions

Owen Griffiths welcomed members to the meeting and the minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Action points from last meeting (14 February 2017)

The November meeting group highlighted the links between the H&SS group and other SG social security stakeholder groups including the Ill Health and Disability Benefits Stakeholder Reference Group.

AP: The H&SS group’s remit will be updated to reflect these links.

The group agreed to provide SG with feedback on comments on the latest draft by end March. It was suggested that the guidance should contain references to referrals to advice services and housing options.

AP: Group to provide feedback by end of March

Paper 1: Written Updates

A written paper was circulated to the group prior to the meeting. Owen explained that this approach would be taken going forward.

Owen summarised the content of the written paper which included an update on DHPs and an overview of the purpose and remit of the Experience Panels currently being recruited. Owen then invited comments and questions from the group.

A discussion on the numbers already recruited and the 12th may closing date ensued and Yvonne asked the group to spread the word via group member’s networks.

Owen additionally provided a brief update on the Social Security Consultation which closed in March.

AP: Owen to circulate the consultation analysis report after today’s meeting.

18-21 year olds

Owen gave a bit of background in this area then updated the group on what has been happening on this topic since the last meeting.

Owen then passed over to Nicola Smith to present the written paper on this subject.

Nicola explained that the SWF is being used as a short term solution to the issue. The Community Care Grant (CCG) application process will be used with LAs checking that none of the exemptions listed apply. The group heard that supplementary guidance for LAs was being prepared and would be discussed at a meeting with CoSLA on 27th April. Nicola confirmed that a long-term solution is being sought.

Ashley Simpson of CIH asked when the funding would be made available to LAs. Nicola Smith confirmed that the arrangements for this would be discussed at the meeting on the 27th.

The group discussed how individuals who present to LAs and are entitled to the exemptions will be supported and how the communication between LAs and DWP on these matters will look.

Nicola concluded discussions by asking for the group’s help in promoting the interim solution. The group agreed to do so.

Chris Boyland gave a general outline of the Bill and explained that for the next year he would be responsible, as Social Security Legislation Team Leader, for seeing the Bill through Parliament.

Chris talked the group through the process by which the Bill is being compiled and the stages which the Bill would go through in the next year. The group discussed the fact that the specifics on benefits have been left out of primary legislation with some sharing concern at this. Chris explained that the reason for this is that the Bill sets out the machinery through which the Government will provide social security whilst conferring powers on the Government to set out rules for eligibility and entitlement in secondary legislation. With rules changing from time to time to reflect economic changes and to respond to changing circumstances putting these rules in primary legislation would impair the Government’s responsiveness to circumstances, however changes to secondary legislation do not go through the same process.