Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

Resolved that

1. the principle that existing council tax benefit claimants will not be affected by the introduction of a local support scheme for council tax in 2013/14 be approved and

2. that consultation is undertaken with interested parties as set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report which sought approval for the principle that existing council tax benefit claimants would not be affected by the introduction of a local support scheme for council tax in 2013/14 and that consultation be undertaken with interested parties.

The Cabinet Member Finance explained that Cheltenham had been working jointly with all Gloucestershire councils with a view to taking a countywide approach in the design of a local scheme in response to the Government’s 10 % cut in the current funding level. This was very much work in progress and alternative means were being sought to bridge the funding gap. This included reviewing council tax discounts on second homes and certain categories of empty properties which could potentially result in properties being brought back into use. It was hoped that a report would be brought to Cabinet in October 2012 outlining Council tax discounts. A careful approach would be adopted to ensure that the council was being fair, reasonable and compassionate. The Council would be consulting on the proposals prior to being introduced and this would form part of the budget process.

The Leader of the Council stated that this issue had been discussed at Leadership Gloucestershire and they deemed that the correct approach was to look at exemptions.

Resolved that

1. the principle that existing council tax benefit claimants will not be affected by the introduction of a local support scheme for council tax in 2013/14 be approved and

2. that consultation is undertaken with interested parties as set out in the report.