Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, Councillor Peter Jeffries

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the outcome of the consultation on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme in Appendix 3 is noted;

2.    the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers in Appendix 4 and summarised in Appendix 5 is approved as the preferred option for 2024/25;

3.    Council is recommended to approve the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers for 2024/25;

4.    Council is recommended to give authority to the Executive Director for Finance, Assets and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets to uprate any premiums, allowances and determine the income levels in line with any increase in Welfare Benefits by 23 February 2024

Introducing his report, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets told Members that each year since 2013, the council has been required to set the level for council tax support for working-age residents.  Funding for the scheme was  introduce rolled into the revenue support grant and subject to annual cuts, and now that the council no longer received revenue support grants, it must fund its share of the cost of the scheme.

He said that in 2019-20, the council approved a new scheme to ensure the most vulnerable residents, on the lowest incomes, continue to receive 100% support.  From April 2024, the proposed council tax support scheme for working age people will continue to be based on five income bands, with the highest providing 100% council tax liability support.  With many residents still grappling with the cost of living crisis and high food inflation, those on the lowest income spend a disproportionately high percentage of their income on food, and this scheme provides support for the most financially vulnerable residents. Continuing to provide support across five bands will result in 4,483 will be eligible, with a budget of £4.3m set at October 2023.

He hoped Members would support the recommendation, pointing out that Recommendation 4 is required because the increase in welfare benefits isn’t announced until late December/early January, and we must be in a position to adjust. 

He thanked officers for the extraordinary amount of work they do, supporting residents of the town.

The Leader commented that this is one of the things that the council does which largely goes below the radar.  She is proud of the council’s original decision and the recommitment it makes every year – we don’t have to provide this support, but each year fewer councils give 100% relief to the very needy minority.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the outcome of the consultation on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme in Appendix 3 is noted;

2.    the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers in Appendix 4 and summarised in Appendix 5 is approved as the preferred option for 2024/25;

3.    Council is recommended to approve the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers for 2024/25;

4.    Council is recommended to give authority to the Executive Director for Finance, Assets and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets to uprate any premiums, allowances and determine the income levels in line with any increase in Welfare Benefits by 23 February 2024