Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval of the re-adoption of the existing local council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22.

Background:

This report provided details of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) 2021 to 2022.

The report stated that the April 2021 allowances had been due to be announced in January 2021 and had been due to be reported to Council in January 2021. However, the Government had not published the prescribed requirements in time. This had affected all local authorities, including Medway. As a result, consideration of the report had beendeferred until the February 2021 meeting of full Council.

The report stated that other than the annual uprating, there were no proposed changes to the CTRS for 2021/22.

The Cabinet had considered this report on 12 January 2021, details of which were set out in section 4 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, was included in Supplementary Agenda No.1.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Turpin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved the revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

Councillors Browne, Cooper, Hubbard, Johnson, Khan, Maple,Murray, Osborne, Prenter and Andy Stamp requested that their votes against the decision be recorded in accordance with Council Rule 12.6.

This report seeks Members’ approval of the re-adoption of the existing local council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22.

The Mayor informed the Council that consideration of this item had been deferred until the next meeting of full Council. This was because all local authorities, including Medway, were awaiting the relevant notifications from the Government which would allow the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to be finalised and presented for approval.

Background:

This report provided details of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) 2021/2022 for Cabinet’s consideration ahead of final consideration and approval by Full Council on 21 January 2020.

The report stated that the April 2021 allowances were not due to be announced until January 2021 and would be included in the Council report. However, the uprating intentions for 2021/22 had been announced and were included at Appendix 1 to the report. Other than the annual uprating, there were no proposed changes to the CTRS for 2021/22.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

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

The Council’s Council Tax Discretionary Relief scheme provides additional support in the case of hardship.