The Chairman of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee presented the final report from the  Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group that had focussed on measuring the impact of welfare reform on people in Shropshire and how the Council could best support local people in receipt of benefits.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the recommendations from the Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group, as supported by the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee be approved, as follows:

·         That a single process and procedure for managing applications for discretionary hardship support be produced;

·         That work be undertaken with partners to develop a single strategy for supporting people receiving benefits;

·         That any Welfare Strategy be focussed on supporting people into work;

·         That ways to better co-ordinate work to support individuals and families be explored with the Council’s partners

ii)            That a report on the steps to be taken to implement i) above be made to a future meeting of Cabinet