This article summarises the agenda items for the Leicestershire Partnership Revenues & Benefits Joint Committee meeting. The meeting was scheduled to cover performance and financial updates for the partnership, as well as a review of the forward plan. Councillors were also expected to note the dates of future meetings.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics that were listed for discussion:

Financial Performance

The committee was scheduled to review the financial performance of the Leicestershire Partnership Revenues & Benefits Joint Committee up to August 2025. According to the Finances Report Revs Bens to Aug 2025, the Partnership had an overall net underspend on expenditure of £36,732.

The report noted that salaries were underspent by £33,000 due to vacant posts at the end of August 2025. The report stated that:

It is too early to assume the current salary underspend will continue at the same rate, and further information is required. There is currently a number of vacant posts, which if unfilled, could lead to a significant year end underspend.

The report also included a list of reserves as of 31 March 2025, with a total balance of £638,940. These earmarked reserves included:

• £61,000 for review on automation
• £40,000 for agency cost back fill
• £44,626 transfer to FERIS Reserve
• £60,727 for ICT Kit & Server
• £99,016 for single employer project management costs
• £199,199 Forecast underspend 2023/24 (Use for IT pressures)
• £84,372 Forecast underspend 2024/25 (Use for IT pressures)
• £50,000 Balance B/F

Performance Report

The committee was scheduled to discuss the performance of the Revenue and Benefit Service for June 2025. The Performance Report included caseload data for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC), Harborough District Council (HDC), and North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC).

The report also contained performance indicators for each council relating to:

• Benefits
• Council Tax
• Non-Domestic Rates
• Housing Benefit Debt
• Fraud

The report noted that all three authorities were below the national average for processing new claims and changes to claims.

The report also included an update on the DWP Housing Benefit Subsidy impact, and the Welfare Reform Crisis and Resilience Fund. The DWP held a national call with all LAs recently, in which they outlined their approach to develop the fund.

There was a lack of understanding with regard to the internal decision-making process to develop and agree policies. Their current thinking was they had until 1 April 2026 to deliver the project however it was presented to them that 31 December 2025 should be their target date to allow LAs the time to develop their policies and set-up the administrative infrastructure in advance of schemes opening from 1 April 2026 and enabling continuity for existing recipients of additional support.

Forward Plan

The committee was expected to note the joint committee's forward plan, as detailed in the Work Plan 2025-2026. The plan included dates for future discussions on financial performance, service plans, and internal audit reports.

Other Items

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting
• Dates of future meetings, scheduled for 20 November 2025 at Harborough District Council offices and 22 January 2026 at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council offices.