Decision details

RESOLVEDThat Council:

(1)   Approved the new banded scheme for working age applicants which remained unchanged for 2024/2025.

(2)   Noted that the new scheme has had a greater financial impact than expected, and any resultant Collection Fund shortfall would be split between the Council and its Major Precepting Authorities. The Councils share would be around 12%.

(3)   Noted that the Discretionary Exceptional Hardship Scheme, previously agreed to provide additional transitional support, had been underspent, largely due to the positive impacts of the main scheme. (The surplus of this would be used to off-set the impact on the District Council in relation to the main scheme).

(4)   Noted a further review was being undertaken during 2024/2025, to ascertain any further changes to be considered for the scheme in 2025/2026.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

To ensure that the Council had a Council Tax Reduction Scheme that continued to:

(1)   Provide the greatest support to the lowest income households.

(2)   Reduce the administrative burden that has been placed on the Council since the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).

(3)   Be simple to understand, meaning that customers will be able to calculate entitlement and assess the impact of potential changes in circumstances.