Report of: the Head of Financial Services

Purpose: to present the Housing Benefit Service Action Plan to mitigate issues arising from the External Auditors report on the certification of the Councils Housing Benefit Subsidy claim for 2015-16.

Recommendation: to note the Housing Benefit Service Action Plan.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Financial Services presenting the Housing Benefit Service Action Plan to mitigate issues arising from the External Auditors report on the certification of the Councils Housing Benefit Subsidy claim for 2015-16.

The Head of Finance, the Head of Business Improvement and the Benefits Manager introduced the report and answered questions from the Committee.

The Committee noted the progress against the action plan, challenges, the improvements in accuracy and performance as a result of further intensive training, and the need for continual training to implement frequent regulatory changes;

The Committee resolved to note the Housing Benefit Service Action Plan and asked for a further report at the December meeting.