Resolved
(1) That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.
(2) That the option of no change to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2019-2020 (and therefore no consultation is required) and 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 those announced by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) be recommended for the Council.
(3) That Council be recommended to give delegated authority to the Executive Director Finance and Governance, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to make any changes to the CTRS Regulations up to and including 31 January 2019.
(4) That, having given due consideration, the following proposed level of Council Tax discounts for 2019-2020 be recommended to Council:
· 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.