Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council agree for the scheme in place for the current year continue for 2025-26.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the Local Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme for working age residents for 2025-26, which Members were required to agree the working age scheme rules on an annual basis.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:-

·         was there any update or changes since the previous year?

·         what percentage of the population needed support and how did it compare with other local authorities; and

·         was there an indication of the take-up for the pension credit and support?

An opposition group leader enquired about the effort involved in reaching residents and how they might have encouraged them to come forward for support.

In response to questions raised, the Benefits & Welfare Lead advised that:-

·         support was introduced in 2024 for Devon County Council care leavers under the age of 25;

·         the team had worked with Devon County for the last 12 months, receiving over 360 records to identify young people who have a council tax liability and to award council tax support to reduce their liability to zero, if they had one;

·         34 care leavers had benefited from the scheme, which had costed approximately £25,000 to the collection fund, which was quite minimal in financial impact to the Council;

·         approximately 8,000 households received council tax support, which represented around 12% of the population;

·         it wasn’t known how Exeter City Council compared with other authorities;

·         efforts had been made to increase the pension credit take-up, with more than 200 households being identified for potential entitlement. These households had all been contacted via phone, email, and letter;

·         proactive work had been undertaken in contacting low-income households to encourage claims and there was a challenge in reaching at least 200 pensioners who were reluctant to seek support; and

·         the council tax support scheme had a good visibility of low-income households, and their circumstances which drove targeted campaigns like the pension credit take-up.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council agree for the scheme in place for the current year continue for 2025-26.