Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/068

Portfolio Holder: Ian HoulderLead Officer: Rachael Mann

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That:

Taking into consideration the consultation and engagement feedback detailed in section 7 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, the following changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be agreed to take effect from 1 April 2018:

(a)     Update the “applicable amounts” to 2015 prices as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068;

(b)     incorporating changes that have occurred as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms as detailed in paragraph 5.2, regarding family premiums; dependence allowances where there are two or more children; and eligibility of foreign nationals; and

(c)     modernise the scheme as detailed in paragraph 5.3, so that claimants in receipt of Universal Credit do not need to make a separate application to qualify for Council Tax Discount.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, which sought approval for the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2018/2019, following its annual review.

Since 1 April 2013, St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) had operated a Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) to replace the previous, centrally administered Council Tax Benefit (Report D224 provided further background). St Edmundsbury’s scheme was aimed at:

·         making provision to protect vulnerable people; and

·         supporting work incentives for claimants created by the Government’s wider welfare reform.

Councillor Ian Houlder, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that each year the Council was required to review its LCTRS.  As a result of the review, as detailed in the report, and following the consideration and rejection of other options for the 2018/2019 LCTRS, amendments had been proposed, as detailed in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 inclusive, for the reasons provided.

As amendments to the LCTRS for 2018/2019 had been proposed, the Council was required to consult/engage with preceptors and stakeholders in order to inform final scheme design by 28February of the preceding year.  Details of the engagement exercise undertaken was contained in section 7 of the report.  Overall, the results of the consultation had indicated a lack of concern for the changes proposed.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

Taking into consideration the consultation and engagement feedback detailed in section 7 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, the following changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be agreed to take effect from 1 April 2018:

(a)    Update the “applicable amounts” to 2015 prices as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068;

(b)    incorporating changes that have occurred as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms as detailed in paragraph 5.2, regarding family premiums; dependence allowances where there are two or more children; and eligibility of foreign nationals; and

(c)     modernise the scheme as detailed in paragraph 5.3, so that claimants in receipt of Universal Credit do not need to make a separate application to qualify for Council Tax Discount.