Issue - meetings

This report seeks Council approval of a revised council tax support scheme, following consideration by Cabinet on 17 December 2013.

Discussion:

This report provided details of a revised Council Tax Support Scheme, following approval of the original scheme in January 2013.   The scheme consisted of two parts, one that made provision for non-pensioners and was at Members’ discretion and one that made provision for pensioners that was made on a national basis and in line with previous awards of council tax benefit. It was noted that those in receipt of a war widow or war disablement pension would enjoy the same protection as pensioners.

When the Council first introduced the scheme in January 2013, a Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals. This assessment had identified a number of potential adverse impacts together with some mitigating factors being incorporated into the scheme. Given that the proposed revisions to the CTRS will not result in a change to the impact on individuals, it is not proposed to carry out a further assessment, although officers will continue to monitor the impact of the scheme on individuals.

The Cabinet considered the report on 17 December 2013 and its comments were set out in the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Deputy Leader, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rodney Chambers, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved the amended Council Tax Reduction Scheme as set out in Appendix C to the report.

Background:

This report provided details of the proposed revisions to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

On 23 January 2013 Council adopted a localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme and each financial year the Council needed to consider whether to revise its scheme or to replace it. A copy of Medway’s current scheme had been sent to Cabinet Members within Supplementary Agenda No.2 (Appendix C to the report).

Members were advised that, in order to maintain the balance between the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the allowances to which claimants are entitled, it was proposed to link the allowances, premiums and disregards to legislation providing for increases in benefits. It was further proposed that the scheme was revised to enable this uprating to take place automatically in line with benefit changes.

Details of the proposed changes were set out in Appendix D to the report.

The report set out details of the consultation undertaken between October and December 2013. A summary of the responses was attached at Appendix B to the report. It was noted that the majority of respondents to the consultation were in agreement with the amendments to the scheme.

Reasons:

The amended scheme continues to balance the need for supporting those currently in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the ability of the Council to fund the scheme within the current budgetary constraints.

The majority of respondents to the consultation were in agreement with the amendments to the scheme.

Amending the scheme will prevent the need for, and additional expense of, future annual consultation.