Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report (C-014-2019-20).

1)            That the Cabinet agreed that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 continue unchanged for 2020/21; and

2)            The Cabinet recommended that Full Council note that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20 continues unchanged for 2020/21.

The Business Support Services Portfolio Holder introduced the report on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

The meeting noted that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013 and that each local authority must review its scheme annually. The Government brought in regulations to ensure that pensioners continue to receive the same level of assistance as they would have done if the Council Tax Benefit scheme was still in place. The Council could therefore only make amendments to the scheme for people of working age. The Council had approved the general principle that the Local Council Tax Support scheme should be cost neutral. In legislative terms the scheme needed to be approved by 11^th March each year so for 2020/21 approval needed to be made at Full Council on 17^th December 2019.

As there were no proposed changes to the 2019/20 scheme there was no legal requirement to consult residents of the district.

DECISION:

1)            That the Cabinet agreed that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 continue unchanged for 2020/21; and

2)            The Cabinet recommended that Full Council note that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20 continues unchanged for 2020/21.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

Full Council needs to approve the 2020/21 Local Council Support Scheme on 17^th December 2019.

Other Options for Action:

To make amendments to the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2020/21, which would require public consultation.