Budget Transfers between Social Security Department and Housing Department following the Introduction of Income Support

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A decision made (31.10.2008) to approve budget transfers between the Social Security Department and Housing Department following the introduction of Income Support

Decision Reference: MD-S-2008-0070
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Changes Required Following the Introduction of Income Support		Date of Decision Summary:	20 October 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Richard Lang – Finance Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Changes Required Following the Introduction of Income Support		Date of Written Report:	15 October 2008
Written Report Author:	Richard Lang – Finance Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: To agree budget transfers between the Social Security Department and Housing Department following the introduction of Income Support.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following: 1. The budget transfer in perpetuity of £320k from Social Security to Housing effective from 2008. 2. The one-off transfer from Social Security to Housing of £1,862,464.30 of costs relating to the Rent Abatement and Rent Rebate Schemes.
Reason(s) for Decision: To ensure the cash limits of Social Security and Housing are accurate following the introduction of Income Support. It was noted that the £320k was included as part of the 2009 States of Jersey Business Plan for both Departments.
Resource Implications: Financial: Social Security Cash Limit to decrease by £320k in perpetuity noting that this has been adjusted in the Department’s Business Plan for 2009. Manpower: Nil Property: Nil ICT: Nil Law Drafting: Nil
Action required: Finance Directors of both Departments to implement the transfers and communicate the decision to the Treasury and Resources Department.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Budget Transfers between Social Security Department and Housing Department following the Introduction of Income Support

REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Changes Required Following the Introduction of Income Support

Purpose of the Report

To request the approval for the following actions:

The budget transfer in perpetuity of £320K from Social Security to Housing effective from 2008.
The transfer from Social Security to Housing of £1,862,464.30 of costs relating to the Rent Abatement and Rent Rebate Schemes.

The need for these actions has become apparent now that Income Support is in place and functioning.

Budget Transfer in Perpetuity

It is necessary that Social Security transfers £320K in perpetuity effective from 2008 to Housing in order to permanently re-adjust the base cash limits of each department following the introduction of Income Support and the transfer of the subsidies budget.

Transfer of Costs Relating to the Rent Abatement and Rent Rebate Schemes

Following the introduction of Income Support on 28th January 2008, the rent rebate and rent abatement schemes closed to all claims on 31st March 2008. The Housing Department incurred costs of £1,862,464.30 relating to these schemes during the first Quarter but the budget for these costs sits with Social Security. As such it is recommended that these costs are transferred to Housing.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the following:

The budget transfer in perpetuity of £320K from Social Security to Housing effective from 2008.
The transfer from Social Security to Housing of £1,862,464.30 of costs relating to the Rent Abatement and Rent Rebate Schemes.

Richard Lang

Finance Director

15 October 2008