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.