Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

RESOLVED THAT

a) the Local Council Tax Support scheme remain unchanged for 2014/15, other than the annual up rating of premiums, allowances and non dependant deductions.

b) a public consultation of eight weeks be approved on this basis. 

c) authority be delegated to the Section 151 officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, to agree the content of future public consultation on any Local Council Tax support scheme.

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report and explained that last year the Government cut funding for council tax benefit by 9 %. CBC had responded to this by working with the other councils in Gloucestershire to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable people were protected. Changes were made to council tax empty property exemptions and second home discount to help offset the reduction in funding.

The Cabinet Member Finance reported that it was the intention of the councils in Gloucestershire to make a permanent council tax support scheme. For 2014/15 however it was proposed to continue the current temporary arrangement due to the major Government spending review expected over the next few months and due to delays in the implementation of welfare reform. A short public consultation would be carried out on this basis.

RESOLVED THAT

a) the Local Council Tax Support scheme remain unchanged for 2014/15, other than the annual up rating of premiums, allowances and non dependant deductions.

b) a public consultation of eight weeks be approved on this basis. 

c) authority be delegated to the Section 151 officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, to agree the content of future public consultation on any Local Council Tax support scheme.