Issue - meetings

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

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) introduced the report on the Council Tax Support Scheme 2020-21.

It was moved by Councillor S C Manion, duly seconded by Councillor O C de R Richardson, and

RESOLVED:       That the adoption of the revised Council Tax Support Scheme (including the Exceptional Hardship Scheme) as set out in this report as Option C be approved.

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

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

Members were advised that the operation of Universal Credit, with its frequent changes in entitlement based on changes in income from month to month, did not fit well with the Council’s current Council Tax Support Scheme where entitlement was based on an exact assessment of claimant income.

This presented a number of risks as followed:

(a)  Uncertainty for the claimant;

(b)  The potential for direct debit deadlines being missed and payments not being made correctly;

(c)   The generation of arrears and the requirement for recovery action; and

(d)  Undue administrative effort, taking resources away from assisting claimants on more constructive work.

The introduction of a banding scheme, which was used elsewhere in Kent, was proposed to address these issues. The impact of the switch to a banding scheme would be cost neutral overall, although there would be a small number of winners and losers within the scheme. Members were advised that the Council would continue to maintain its exceptional hardship scheme to assist those in the most need.

The consultation had been undertaken by Canterbury City Council on behalf of the East Kent authorities and the responses received to the proposed changes had been mostly supportive of the proposals. The consultation had sent out 7,000 letters to which 233 responses were received. All responses had been given equal weight. Councillor L A Keen asked if future reports could contain the details of the responses.

In response to concerns expressed by Members that self-employed people on low hours who didn’t achieve the anticipated level of income would be better off on benefits rather than working as a result of this scheme, it was stated that Universal Credit was also a working benefit. There would also potentially be an assessment to see if self-employment on low hours was sustainable. 

The issue of the non-dependant deduction was raised in respect of adults in full time education living with parents and Members were advised that this would only be applied where it was appropriate to do so.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to the Cabinet:

(a)  That it recommended to the Council that it adopt the revised Council Tax Support Scheme as set out in the report.

(b)  That it recommended to the Council that it approve the adoption of the revised Council Tax Support Scheme (including the Exceptional Hardship Scheme) as set out in Option C.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

It was agreed to recommend to Council that the revised Council Tax Support Scheme, as set out in the report, be adopted.