Decision details

Each year the Council is required to consider whether to review its Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS).  Report number: CAB/WS/23/034 advises about the conclusion of the 2023 annual review of and the resultant proposals for consultation for changes to the scheme, to take effect from April 2024.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources will be asked to review the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024 to 2025 in line with the proposals outlined within Section 2 and that the relevant consultation is undertaken in accordance within Section 4 of Report number: CAB/WS/23/034.

Resolved:

That the West Suffolk Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024 to 2025 is reviewed in line with:

1.       the proposals outlined in Section 2 of Report number: CAB/WS/23/034; and

2.       relevant consultation, in accordance with Section 4 of Report number: CAB/WS/23/034.

The consultation will address options for the 2024 to 2025 scheme, including a proposal set out in section 2.1 of Report number: CAB/WS/23/034. The proposal is to continue the 2023 to 2024 changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme that would extend the decreased contribution rate (maximum discount of 100 per cent) to support low-income households and those facing financial hardship, in light of the cost-of-living crisis. The detailed rationale behind the proposals is set out in section 2.2.

The alternative option of reverting to the previous scheme with an 8.5 per cent contribution from customers was considered but rejected as it would place a greater financial burden on customers when the cost of living remains high.

The recommended option has therefore been selected because it maximises the benefit to customers while minimising the administrative resources required to collect small payments.