Decision details

The Cabinet was provided with information on the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme from April 2019.

The Head of Income and Awards introduced the report and reminded Members that the current scheme had been approved by Council in 2017. The Cabinet Member for Resources and Delivering Value had agreed a 12 week consultation on the proposal for 2019/20 that no changes be made to the current scheme. This meant from April 2019 customers of working age would still be required to pay a minimum of 15% towards their Council Tax.

The report detailed the depth of the consultation, with some 13,200 CTR recipients, both working age and pensioners being written to. A total of 213 people responded to the consultation with  82% of responders agreeing with the proposals. The report also detailed comments and alternative options which had been received.

Members were also reminded of the support measures which the Council had put in place to support CTR customers following the introduction of the minimum 15% payments, which included the creation of a one off hardship fund, as detailed in the report.

In summary the reasons for recommending the preferred option included:

·  The support for customers was based on each individual’s ability to pay and this means tested approach was fair and equitable;

·  Those of pensionable age continued to be protected under the original scheme rules;

·  The Council continued to work with the DWP and partners to assist customers to access the support available to them including applications to the hardship reserve;

·  The current approved MTFS did not require the scheme to be changed in 2019/20 – the assumed level of Council Tax included within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy did not assume any change to the CTR scheme in 2019/20; and

·  The majority of responders to the consultation supported the proposal  not make any changes to the current CTR scheme for 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council be recommended to approve the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20.

The Cabinet was provided with information on the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme from April 2019.

The Head of Income and Awards introduced the report and reminded Members that the current scheme had been approved by Council in 2017. The Cabinet Member for Resources and Delivering Value had agreed a 12 week consultation on the proposal for 2019/20 that no changes be made to the current scheme. This meant from April 2019 customers of working age would still be required to pay a minimum of 15% towards their Council Tax.

The report detailed the depth of the consultation, with some 13,200 CTR recipients, both working age and pensioners being written to. A total of 213 people responded to the consultation with 82% of responders agreeing with the proposals. The report also detailed comments and alternative options which had been received.

Members were also reminded of the support measures which the Council had put in place to support CTR customers following the introduction of the minimum 15% payments, which included the creation of a one off hardship fund, as detailed in the report.

In summary the reasons for recommending the preferred option included:

·  The support for customers was based on each individual’s ability to pay and this means tested approach was fair and equitable;

·  Those of pensionable age continued to be protected under the original scheme rules;

·  The Council continued to work with the DWP and partners to assist customers to access the support available to them including applications to the hardship reserve;

·  The current approved MTFS did not require the scheme to be changed in 2019/20 – the assumed level of Council Tax included within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy did not assume any change to the CTR scheme in 2019/20; and

·  The majority of responders to the consultation supported the proposal not make any changes to the current CTR scheme for 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council be recommended to approve the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20.