Decision details

Review of the Scheme for 2017/18:

1…Consider amendments

2…Finalise Scheme

3…Approve Scheme

(1)       That a public consultation exercise on the 2017/18 Local Council Tax Support Scheme be undertaken between August and October 2016;

(2)        That the following elements of the scheme be approved for inclusion in the consultation:

            (i)         a general principle that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for    2017/18 should aim to be cost neutral for the Council;

            (ii)        to seek views on alternative funding options for the Local Council Tax             Support scheme if the scheme was not cost neutral;

            (iii)       to remove the Family Premium in the calculation for new claimants in          line with other Welfare Reforms;

            (iv)       to reduce the period allowed for backdating to one month in line with             other Welfare Reforms;

            (v)        to limit the number of dependant additions to a maximum of two for all             cases where dependants were born on or after 1 April 2017, in line with other             Welfare Reforms; and

            (vi)       to withdraw Local Council Tax Support where a person leaves the   United Kingdom for 4 weeks or more in line with other Welfare Reforms.