Issue details

Summary

This report will seek Members approval to recommend a revised council tax reduction scheme to Full Council to take effect from 1 April 2016 and to commence the requisite public consultation.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make a key decision. On this occasion it has not been possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice and therefore Section 10 (General Exception) of the above regulations have been complied with. It is noted that the Council is under a legal duty under Schedule 1A to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to consider each year whether to revise its council tax reduction scheme or to replace it with another scheme. This review, which took account of announced welfare reforms within the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Summer Budget, was concluded after the original publication of the Forward Plan (27 July 2015), when it was determined that proposed revisions should be brought forward for Members’ consideration. Submission of the report to this meeting is essential to enable a 12 weeks consultation exercise to be undertaken and any revision(s) to the scheme, or any replacement scheme, to be agreed before 31 January 2016 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992.