Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) presented the report on consultation on the Council Tax Support Scheme 2020/21.

Members were advised that the report set out the progress made on the review of the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS) and proposed consultation on a new scheme for 2020/21. The impact of the introduction of Universal Credit, with its frequent adjustments due to changes in claimant income, was to make the existing scheme increasingly complex for claimants as well as complex and expensive to administer for the Council. The proposed simplified banded scheme was cost-neutral, administratively simpler and intended to maintain take up by those eligible to receive support.

Members discussed the impact of the proposals and what the impact would be in developing a scheme where no one suffered any losses as a result of the new banding. In particular, reference was made to the 107 claimants who would lose more than £10 a month under the proposed changes. In response it was stated that a nil impact scheme would be significantly more complex and costly to administer. As part of the consultation 100% of people affected would be consulted, including examples of the impact of the proposed new scheme, and the current arrangements for exceptional hardship would remain.

Members asked for the outcome of the consultation to come back to the committee in due course.

It was moved by Councillor P Walker, duly seconded, and

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Cabinet:

(a)    That the consultation on the introduction of the proposed new Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21 as set out in Section 6 of this report be approved.

(b)    That approval of the consultation material be delegated to the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

It was agreed:

(a)  That consultation on the introduction of the proposed new Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21, as set out at Section 6 of the report, be approved.

(b)   That the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) be authorised to approve the consultation material, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance.