Issue - meetings

Customer and Corporate Support – to consider the attached report (C-021-2020/21) on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme annual review.

(1)          The Cabinet noted that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2020/21 continued unchanged for 2021/22; and

(2)          The Cabinet recommended that Full Council note that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20 continues unchanged for 2021/22.

The Customer and Corporate Support Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor S Kane, introduced the report on the Local Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22.

The Local Council Tax Support Scheme replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013 and 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 has approved the general principle that the Local Council Tax Support scheme should be cost neutral. In legislative terms the scheme needs to be approved by 11th March each year so for 2021/22 approval needs to be made at Full Council by December 2020.

As there were no proposed changes to the 2020/21 scheme there was no legal requirement to consult residents of the district.

Decision:

(1)          The Cabinet noted that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2020/21 continued unchanged for 2021/22; and

(2)          The Cabinet recommended that Full Council note that the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20 continued unchanged for 2021/22.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

Full Council needs to approve the 2021/22 Local Council Support Scheme by 17th December 2020.

Other Options for Action:

To make amendments to the Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2021/22, which would require public consultation.