Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Purpose of report

To provide members with a review of Council Tax discounts and to seek approval to recommend the proposed level of Council Tax discounts for the 2018-2019 financial year to Council.

To provide an update on the consultation process that has taken place on the proposals for a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019 and to seek approval to recommend the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme to Council. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the option of no change to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019 and to amend the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations for Pensioners in line with uprating announced by DCLG and to uprate the Working Age Regulations in line with Housing Benefit as confirmed by Department for Work and Pensions.

1.2      To recommend to Council an unchanged Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019.

1.3    To recommend to Council that delegated authority be given to the Chief Finance Officer to make any changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2018 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

1.4    To review the proposed level of Council Tax discounts for 2018-2019 and make recommendations to Council as follows:

·         Retain the discount for second homes at zero

·         Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 50% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years.

Resolved

(1)          That the option of no change to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019 be endorsed and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations for Pensioners be amended in line with uprating announced by DCLG and to uprate the Working Age Regulations in line with Housing Benefit as confirmed by Department for Work and Pensions.

(2)          That Full Council be recommended to approve an unchanged Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019.

(3)          That Full Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to make any changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2018 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

(4)          That, having given due consideration, Full Council be recommended to approve the following level of Council Tax discounts for 2018-2019:

·         Retain the discount for second homes at zero

·         Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 50% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years.

The Chief Finance Officer submitted a report to provide members with a review of Council Tax discounts and to seek approval to recommend the proposed level of Council Tax discounts for the 2018-2019 financial year to Council. The report also provided an update on the consultation process that had taken place on the proposals for a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019 and to seek approval to recommend the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme to Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the option of no change to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019 be endorsed and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations for Pensioners be amended in line with uprating announced by DCLG and to uprate the Working Age Regulations in line with Housing Benefit as confirmed by Department for Work and Pensions.

(2)          That Full Council be recommended to approve an unchanged Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019.

(3)          That Full Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to make any changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2018 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

(4)          That, having given due consideration, Full Council be recommended to approve the following level of Council Tax discounts for 2018-2019:

·         Retain the discount for second homes at zero

·         Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·         Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 50% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years.

Reasons

The proposal is to keep the same Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-2019. There will be some technical changes to Regulations. Consultation has taken place.

Members are now required to recommend to Council a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2018-2019.

Members are also asked to recommend that Council Tax Discounts for 2018-2019 are set at the levels detailed in the report.

Alternative options

Option 1: To not recommend any of the options for a scheme for 2018-2019 This would have financial implications for the Council and those residents affected by Welfare Reform.