Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 January 2020 were confirmed as a correct record, to be signed by the Chairman in due course.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman reminded the Committee of the all Member briefing taking place after the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To provide members with an update on the Council Tax Reduction income banded scheme which was introduced from 1 April 2020 and to provide options for a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2021-2022.    

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1         To note the contents of the report, and any financial implications for the Council.

1.2     To recommend to Executive which option should be considered for the Council Tax Scheme for 2021-2022.

1.3     If the option of no change to the current scheme is recommended to Executive, members of this Committee are also asked to recommend that no consultation takes place. However, if another option is recommended to Executive, full consultation is required.  

Resolved

(1)       That the report and financial implications for the Council be noted

(2)       That Option 1 – Retain the current banded scheme with only minor changes to government uprating figures – be recommended to Executive as the Council Tax Scheme for 2021-2022

(3)       That no consultation take place, due to the recommendation to retain the current scheme

The Committee considered a report from the Operations Director CSN Resources regarding the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2021-2022.

The Operations Director explained that the current scheme was based on a banding system, with support varying dependent on the level of household income. The Council could choose to retain the existing scheme, increase or decrease the level of support provided. If any changes were proposed, a consultation period would need to be held.

In response to questions from the Committee the Operations Director confirmed that a fund had been set up for the 2020-2021 financial year to help households who may need additional support following a reduction in benefit, but no applications for assistance had been made to date.

With regard to possible savings to the Council if the level of support the scheme provided was reduced, the Operations Director explained that the cost of officer time and carrying out a consultation exercise would need to be factored in against any savings.

It was proposed by Councillor Sean Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Barry Richards that Option 1 – Retain the current banded scheme with only minor changes to government uprating figures – be recommended to Executive as the Council Tax Scheme for 2021-2022.

Resolved

(1)       That the report and financial implications for the Council be noted

(2)       That Option 1 – Retain the current banded scheme with only minor changes to government uprating figures – be recommended to Executive as the Council Tax Scheme for 2021-2022

(3)       That no consultation take place, due to the recommendation to retain the current scheme

Dates of meetings for 2020-2021:

29 September

10 November

15 December

19 January 2021

9 March

Resolved

(1)       That an additional meeting be scheduled for 18 August 2020

The Chairman advised the Committee that an additional meeting was required, and following discussion with officers it had been scheduled for 18 August 2020.

Resolved

(1)       That an additional meeting be scheduled for 18 August 2020