Issue - items at meetings - Potential In and Out of Work Pilot

Report of the Director of Finance & Central Services (copy attached).

1.       That the In and Out of Work Project be noted.

2.       That it be agreed in principle to Brighton & Hove becoming a pilot, if selected by DWP to take part, subject to satisfactory financial and resource arrangements.

42.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Finance & Resources concerning the potential ‘In and Out of Work’ Pilot, which aimed to improve access to in and out of work benefits and services to customers who moved frequently in and out of work (for copy, see minute book).

42.2    The Assistant Director, Customer Services, explained that, prior to today’s meeting, it had been announced that Brighton & Hove had not been chosen to lead on this pilot.  The next step of the scheme would involve different groups of cities going nationally at a time and Brighton & Hove could be one of the first cities going national with the roll-out of the scheme.

42.3    The Assistant Director considered that though the process had been unsuccessful, it had proven to be a positive learning process, which had also resulted in officers obtaining good and useful contacts along the way for future enterprises.

42.4    The Cabinet Member congratulated the Assistant Director and her team for seizing the opportunity and for applying for the pilot scheme. He was pleased that Brighton & Hove was recognised by the DWP and might become one of the first cities in the roll-out process. He thanked the team of officers involved with this process and thanked the Chief Executive for supporting this. 

42.5    The Assistant Director, Customer Services, advised that she would like to keep the recommendations as per the report to accommodate the possibility of Brighton & Hove being chosen as a replacement in the event of a cancellation occurring from one of the initially chosen cities. The Cabinet Member concurred with this proposal.

42.6    RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)      That the In and Out of Work Project be noted.

(2)      That it be agreed in principle to Brighton & Hove becoming a pilot, if selected by DWP to take part, subject to satisfactory financial and resource arrangements.