Issue - meetings

To receive a report presenting the action taken to date to redesign the Council Tax Benefit Scheme to ensure that it is fit for the future and asking Members recommend Council approve the new income-banding.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson

The Cabinet received and noted a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) that set out the action taken to date to redesign the Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme to ensure that it is fit for the future, provides the rationale for change and leads to a recommendation that the Council approves the introduction of a new, income-banded scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1st April 2024, increasing levels of support available to the most vulnerable residents across Huntingdonshire.  The main points of the discussions on the report may be summarised as follows:

The Cabinet:

v  Noted that since the abolition of Council Tax Benefit in 2013, Local Authorities in England have been required to administer their own Council Tax Support (CTS) schemes. As whilst support for residents of pensionable age is determined by Central Government, schemes for working age residents are set locally. Local Authorities are required to review their CTS schemes annually and to decide to either maintain their existing scheme or replace it.

v  Agreed that increasing the level of support for eligible residents directly supports the aims specified within the Corporate Plan, to keep people out of crisis and to help those in crisis.

v  Acknowledged that simplifying the scheme to make it more accessible for residents, reduce the administrative burden and improving delivery times. This will directly support the aim specified within the Corporate Plan to deliver good quality, value-for-money services with good control and compliance with statutory obligations.

v  Recognised that the reduction in caseload and therefore reduction of the impact of CTS on the taxbase provides an opportunity to consider increasing support to those most in need.

v  Noted that a review of the CTS scheme provides an opportunity to ensure the scheme best meets the needs of our residents and contributes to the Corporate Plan commitment to both prevent crisis, and to support those in crisis.

v  Noted that the recommended amendments to the scheme will also contribute to Priority 3 of the Corporate Plan – to deliver good quality, high value for money services with good control and compliance with statutory obligations.

v  Agreed with rising food and energy costs the departments and teams within the Council should collaborate closely with each other and with partner organisations to develop an integrated approach to local council tax support council tax collection, identifying and supporting people who are struggling to pay including looking at the physical and mental wellbeing for those in greatest need.

As a result of discussions on the report the Chair moved, and it was.

RESOLVED

that Council be recommended to approve the introduction of a new income-banded Council Tax Supoort scheme for working age applications with effect from 1st April 2024.