The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report which noted the outcome of the public consultation, having considered the potential impact of the proposed changes on working age claimants, taking into account the protected characteristics of disability, age and sex, under the Equalities Act 2010, and recommended changes to the current Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme.

The Cabinet Member referred to Table 3 on page 62 of the report, and noted the support from the public for Option 1 which lowered the threshold down to 20% and the other options which would also alleviate the pressure on poorer households.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager stated that collection of council tax had been particular hard this year, and the rise in council tax would make it even harder.  She welcomed the proposed changes to the CTS scheme which should make things easier for people.  

The Cabinet Member stated that KCC needed to fund services and were not receiving enough funding from Central Government.  He proposed the recommendations.

Recommendations:

(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 options 1-6 as changes to the current scheme, as set-out in detail in table 3, paragraph 3.6 of the report, be approved.