Agenda item

To receive a report from the Executive Director of Resources reviewing and seeking approval to changes in the local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22, which the Council is required to produce under section 13A(1)(a) and meeting 1A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.  

Councillor Maguire proposed and Councillor Yusuf seconded the report of the Executive Director Finance on the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22

NOTED

1.            Councillor Maguire highlighted the following in proposing the report: 

·         This scheme was reviewed annually.  It enabled the Council to help people on low incomes who have difficulties paying their Council Tax.

·         The Council funds its own scheme. 

·         The proposal was to retain the same scheme as last year as set out in appendix A to the report. 

·         Transitional arrangements would remain covering 122 residents.

·         The scheme had provided vital support to low income households during the pandemic.  During 20/21 the working age council tax support caseload had increased by 1,400.  The highest number of claimants ever. 

·         The government had provided additional hardship funding of £6.2m to enable payments of £250 to be given to eligible council tax payers. 

·         Unemployment was predicted to rise at the end of the furlough scheme and it was important that the Council could continue to provide discretionary support for those who needed it most, to help people avoid falling into debt and support health and wellbeing.

2.            In seconding the report Councillor Yusuf highlighted the following: 

·         He commended the report and said that the council was doing its best to support everyone despite the reductions in funding. 

·         The Council were willing to support everyone who had a reasonable claim. Even those currently on furlough did not have as much money as they would have had without the pandemic. 

·         It was wrong to increase the Council tax at this time.

·         The Council Tax Support Scheme provided essential support to low income families including those effected by Covid and the introduction of universal credit.

At this point in the debate the time available for the discussion of reports came to an end under the guillotine arrangements.

The recommendations in the report were agreed without a vote.  If there had been a vote the minority opposition group indicated that they would have voted against. 

AGREED

1.            To approve the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22 as summarised in Appendix A to provide financial support for households on low incomes in paying their Council Tax. The 2021/22 scheme is based on the 2020/21 scheme, updated for legislative amendments, income uprating and administrative changes.

2.            To delegate responsibility to make any minor and consequential changes, including the correction of accidental errors, necessary to the detailed council tax support provision as a result of any changes in the regulations upon which the scheme is based to the Executive  Director of Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement. 

3.            For the 2021/22 scheme:

·           That the minimum contribution for working age households, not in a protected group, to be maintained at 24.5%

·           That the maximum earned income for Universal Credit claimants to receive council tax support to be £1,100 net per month 

·           That the administrative changes set out in paragraph 15 and 16 of the report be incorporated into the scheme to improve service delivery.