Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - CUSTOMERS

To provide Cabinet with an update on how the scheme is operating and to consider whether any changes should be made for 2022/2023

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)  That Council notes the CTRS position relating to this and previous financial years.

(2)  That Council notes that a full review of the CTRS had commenced and has been postponed due to the consequences on the scheme of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(3)  That the funding allocated for distribution to Parish, Town & Community Councils in relation to CTRS in 2022/2023 is unchanged from 2021/2022.

(4)  That no changes to the CTRS be made for 2022/2023.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: To update Cabinet on how the Scheme is working and to note that the full review planned to take place was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and this remains the case. However, work is planned to start in January 2022.

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the report entitled Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2022/2023 and highlighted:

·         This is the annual report to refer onto Council regarding the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

·         Council Tax reduction changed in 2013 with local schemes introduced, which allowed the Council to establish means tested system with a standard percentage reduction being offered – currently 25%.

·         A full review of the Scheme was started in 2019 but this was delayed due to the pandemic, with the administration of Covid related grants taking up a significant portion of Officers time and an increase in claimants had skewed the data required for modelling.

·         The pandemic has lasted longer than expected and so it is hoped the review can start again in early 2022.

·         It was agreed no changes to the Council Tax Scheme for 2022-23 and a light touch consultation took place on this in November 2021 and no comments were received.

·         The number and categories of claimants were detailed within the report.

·         The amount of funding proposed to Parish Councils was detailed within the report.

Councillor Ian Albert wished to express his thanks to the staff involved in this scheme and the support they had offered to residents was exemplary. This was agreed with by Councillors Amy Allen and Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Steve Jarvis seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)  That Council notes the CTRS position relating to this and previous financial years.

(2)  That Council notes that a full review of the CTRS had commenced and has been postponed due to the consequences on the scheme of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(3)  That the funding allocated for distribution to Parish, Town & Community Councils in relation to CTRS in 2022/2023 is unchanged from 2021/2022.

(4)  That no changes to the CTRS be made for 2022/2023.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: To update Cabinet on how the Scheme is working and to note that the full review planned to take place was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and this remains the case. However, work is planned to start in January 2022.