Issue - meetings

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Finance)

The Local Council Tax Reduction Report 2021/22 of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Finance was received by the Committee.

The Chair reported that this Committee considered an interim report on the proposals for 2021/22 at a meeting in November 2019 and requested that some further scenarios be considered and a further update be provided to this Committee.  The Chair highlighted that following consideration by this Committee, the intention is that this report will be taken to Cabinet on 10th September 2020.

The Executive Director Finance highlighted that the original purpose of this report was to consider proposals for the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age customers for 2021/22.  The proposal had been to replace the current ‘traditional scheme’ for working age claimants which was modelled in 2012 (and implemented in April 2013) based on the national Council Tax Benefit.

However, in light of the unprecedented situation following the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Executive Director Finance reported that it was now recommended that the review be postponed until 2021 when the impact for the scheme will be clearer.  Consequently there were no proposed changes to the scheme for 2020/21 other than the usual alignment with housing benefit and therefore there would be no requirement for a formal consultation.

Full Council would be requested to approve this approach at its December 2020 meeting.

RESOLVED that the planned review for the introduction of a banding scheme for Council Tax Reduction be deferred until 2021 and that the current scheme for working age customers continues to be aligned to Applicable Amounts with those of Housing Benefit for 2021/22.

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor R Bilcliff)