Issue - meetings

To consider the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/10.

RESOLVED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Cabinet agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from 1 April 2019 be amended as set out in Option E in paragraph 5.1 of Report item 6 to the Cabinet to introduce a de minimis rule to disregard changes of less than £1 per week ; and

RECOMMENDED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Council agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from 1 April 2019 be amended as set out in Option E in paragraph 5.1 of Report item 6 to the Cabinet to introduce a de minimis rule to disregard changes of less than £1 per week.

The Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group for the scheme to be applied from 1 April 2019.  The Task and Finish Group had considered a limited range of amendments to the current scheme which was designed to assist vulnerable persons of working age in the District.  The options were set out in Section 5 of Report Item 6 to the Cabinet.  The necessary consultation exercise had been undertaken on the proposal that the main scheme should remain unaltered, but a de minimis rule should be introduced under which any change in entitlement of less than £1 per week should in future be disregarded.  At present 30% of variations were under £1, but required a disproportionate administrative burden to implement.  A saving of £10,000 per annum was expected.  Only a limited number of responses had been received to the consultation, but these had been supportive.

RESOLVED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Cabinet agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from 1 April 2019 be amended as set out in Option E in paragraph 5.1 of Report Item 6 to the Cabinet to introduce a de minimis rule to disregard changes of less than £1 per week; and

RECOMMENDED:

That, in so far as it is empowered to do so by law, the Council agrees that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from 1 April 2019 be amended as set out in Option E in paragraph 5.1 of Report Item 6 to the Cabinet to introduce a de minimis rule to disregard changes of less than £1 per week.