Issue - meetings

This report seeks Council approval of the adoption of a revised local council tax reduction scheme.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2017/2018, following initial consideration by the Cabinet on 20 December 2016.

Given that the scheme would remain unchanged (with the exception of annual uprating) and as such would not result in a change to the impact on individuals, it was not proposed to carry out a further Diversity Impact Assessment, although officers would continue to monitor the impact of the scheme on individuals. A copy of the existing DIA was set out in Appendix 5 to the report.

Appendices 1-5 were set out in Supplementary Agenda No.1.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Turpin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor Mackness, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council adopted the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/2018 as set out in appendix 4 to the report.

Background:

This report detailed the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme and sought members’ approval for the scheme to be re-adopted by Full Council for 2017/18. It was noted that there were no proposals to amend the Scheme, with the exception of annual uprating.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken before the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme had been adopted in January 2016, as set out in Appendix B to the report. This had not been updated given that no changes to the scheme were proposed, although officers would continue to monitor the impact of the scheme on individuals.

Reasons:

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