Issue - meetings

To agree the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19.

RESOLVED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Cabinet agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be amended with effect on 1 April 2017 as follows:

(i)          To disregard in full Bereavement Support Payments in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to mirror changes being introduced to Housing Benefit;

(ii)         To reduce from 13 weeks to 4 weeks the period of absence from the Country permissible to remain entitled to Council Tax Reduction (exemptions will apply); and

(iii)       To remove the Housing Element of Universal Credit within the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to prevent the applicable amount for new claimants being inflated compared to existing claimants.

RECOMMENDED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Council agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be amended with effect on 1 April 2018 as follows:

(i)         To disregard in full Bereavement Support Payments in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to mirror changes being introduced to Housing Benefit;

(ii)        To reduce from 13 weeks to 4 weeks the period of absence from the Country permissible to remain entitled to Council Tax Reduction (exemptions will apply); and

(iii)      To remove the Housing Element of Universal Credit within the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to prevent the applicable amount for new claimants being inflated compared to existing claimants.

The Cabinet considered the local Council Tax Reduction Scheme to apply from 1 April 2018.  Potential amendments to the current scheme had been considered by a task and finish group appointed by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel, based on the recommendations of the task and finish group, had concluded that the current scheme should be amended, particularly to reflect changes to benefits at a national level.  It was not however intended to alter the minimum contribution of 10% of the Council Tax payable.  The proposed changes were:

(i)           To disregard in full Bereavement Support Payments in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to mirror changes being introduced to Housing Benefit;

(ii)         To reduce from 13 weeks to 4 weeks the period of absence from the Country that is permissible to remain entitled to Council Tax Reduction (exemptions will apply); and

(iii)        To remove the Housing Element of Universal Credit within the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to prevent the applicable amount for new claimants being inflated compared to existing claimants.

It was anticipated that the budgetary implications for this Council of items (i) and (ii) were minimal, while option (iii) would achieve a saving of around £15,000 per annum.

RESOLVED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Cabinet agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be amended with effect on 1 April 2018 as follows:

(i)           To disregard in full Bereavement Support Payments in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to mirror changes being introduced to Housing Benefit;

(ii)         To reduce from 13 weeks to 4 weeks the period of absence from the Country permissible to remain entitled to Council Tax Reduction (exemptions will apply); and

(iii)        To remove the Housing Element of Universal Credit within the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to prevent the applicable amount for new claimants being inflated compared to existing claimants.

RECOMMENDED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Council agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be amended with effect on 1 April 2018 as follows:

(i)          To disregard in full Bereavement Support Payments in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to mirror changes being introduced to Housing Benefit;

(ii)         To reduce from 13 weeks to 4 weeks the period of absence from the Country permissible to remain entitled to Council Tax Reduction (exemptions will apply); and

(iii)       To remove the Housing Element of Universal Credit within the calculation of Council Tax Reduction, to prevent the applicable amount for new claimants being inflated compared to existing claimants.