Issue - meetings

(Finance and Economic Development – Cllr J Philip) To approve the introduction of new income banded / grid scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1 April 2024 (C-025-2023-24).

(1a)      That the Cabinet approved the introduction of a new income banded / grid scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1 April 2024 to reduce the administrative burden placed on the Council since the introduction of Universal Credit and to target support to the lowest income families.

(1b)      That following the results of the consultation exercise the scheme proposed in (a) above be amended to include Child Benefit as a disregarded income.

The Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, Councillor J Philip, introduced the scheme, which had been endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and remarked that 75% of responses to the public consultation had been in favour of the new scheme.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

Decision:

(1a)      That the Cabinet approved the introduction of a new income banded / grid scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1 April 2024 to reduce the administrative burden placed on the Council since the introduction of Universal Credit and to target support to the lowest income families.

(1b)      That following the results of the consultation exercise the scheme proposed in (a) above be amended to include Child Benefit as a disregarded income.