Tabled paper published 9 November 2017

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Resident Services and the above Cabinet Member which recommended changes to the current Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme following the outcome of the public consultation which ended on 28 August 2017.

The Chief Executive drew attention to an error in the report and stated that recommendation (2) should refer to paragraph 3.6 of the report not 3.7 as stated.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and drew attention to the proposed changes outlined in Table 3 on paragraph 3.6 of the report which he considered were appropriate and reasonable.  The Cabinet Member referred to the recommendation from the Policy Development and Review Committee, which was tabled for Members.  The Cabinet Member explained that he did not support their recommendation and considered that the maximum level of support for working age applicants should be implemented at 75%, as outlined in the report.  He referred to the Council’s Hardship Scheme which was available for residents experiencing difficulties with making payments.

In response to a query from a Member, the Revenue and Benefits Manager (Technical and Financial) explained that the Government had changed the bereavement allowance, and Option 6 ensured that the CTS Scheme was in-line with the housing benefit regulations.

Recommended:

(1)   That the outcome of the public consultation having taken consideration of the potential impact of the proposed changes on working age claimants with the protected characteristics of disability, age and sex under the Equalities Act 2010 be noted.

(2)   That changes to the current scheme as listed in paragraph 3.6 of the report be recommended to Council.