*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that:

1.    Approval be given to continue with the current Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2021/22. The scheme is based on The Council Tax Reduction Scheme England Regulations 2012 amended to reflect the following local decisions concerning the key principles of the scheme:

·      For those of working age the maximum amount of Council Tax that will be eligible for reduction is 91.5% of their full Council Tax Liability;

·      The Council continues its policy of disregarding war pensions for the purposes of calculating income in respect of the Local Council Tax Support scheme;

·      The ‘taper’, i.e. the rate at which support is withdrawn as income increases be maintained at 20%.

2.    The Chief Finance Officer, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Business Transformation and Customers, be granted delegated authority to update the 2021/22 scheme to reflect such up-ratings of premiums, allowances and non-dependent deductions as may be determined by the Department of Work and Pensions, and for other minor technical changes which may be required.

3.    The current local council tax discounts which were originally implemented in 2013/14, as outlined in paragraph 4.4 of the officer’s report, be continued.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To ensure that the Council can continue to operate a localised scheme providing council tax support from April 2021.