Decision details

* RESOLVED –

That the Cabinet recommends to the full Council that:

1.   Approval be given to continue with the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2018/19.  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 the Local Council Tax that will be eligible for reduction is 91.5 per cent of their Council Tax Liability.

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

·        The ‘taper’, i.e. the rate at which support is withdrawn as income increases be maintained at 20 per cent.

2.   Delegated powers be granted to the Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Customers, to update the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2018/19, to reflect such up-ratings of premiums, allowances and non-dependent deductions as may be determined by the Department for Work and Pensions, and other minor technical changes which may be required.

3.   Approval be given to continue the current local council tax discounts, which were originally implemented in 2013/14.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

To ensure that the Council is able to continue to operate a localised scheme providing council tax support from April 2018.