Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director City Development, Housing & Supporting People.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve: -

(1)  that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for the current year continues for 2021-22 without substantive changes; and

(2)  the work to develop options for Members’ consideration for a simpler scheme, that was halted in March 2020 due to Covid-19 response priorities recommence in February 2021.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the annual report which sought agreement on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age residents for 2021/22 and to continue exploring options for a simpler discount-style scheme for 2022/23.

The Director City Development, Housing and Supporting People made reference to:-

·         the scheme related solely to working age customers as the pensioners scheme was set by Government and that 45% of spend on Council Tax support related to the former; and

·         work on a new scheme for 2022/23, which, in conjunction with Members, would start in February 2021. A new scheme was required to compensate for the reduction of funds given to administer the scheme and to align the scheme with the Council’s digitalisation programme and to align with other Council tax discounts.

Members thanked the Director and her team for the considerable extra work that continues to be done to administer the Government’s grants for individuals and households.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for the current year continues for 2021-22 without substantive changes; and

(2)  the work to develop options for Members’ consideration for a simpler scheme, that was halted in March 2020 due to Covid-19 response priorities recommence in February 2021.