Issue - meetings

To receive an update on performance of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson.

The Cabinet has endorsed the recommendation to Council that the scheme principles for 2025/26 remain unchanged, ensuring that the scheme continues  to deliver support to low income households across the District in line with the Corporate Priority to improve the quality of life for local people.

A report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing the Council Tax Support Scheme in accordance with schedule 1a (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

By way of background, the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance reported that since the scheme was revised in April 2024, the number of households receiving 100% support with their Council Tax had increased from 1,300 in March 2024 to 4,000 in August 2024. Furthermore, an additional 708 households now also received some support with their Council Tax since March 2024. The scheme had resulted in a significant reduction in administrative overheads which included 615 fewer reminders and 527 fewer court summons.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources commented upon the positive impact the scheme had upon the residents of Huntingdonshire and referred to the Community Health and Wealth Strategy which would further bring social equity to the benefit of the District’s residents.

In response to a question raised by the Executive Councillor for Planning querying the impact of the scheme upon Town and Parish Council precepts, it was confirmed that the draft Council Tax Base would be circulated around to Town and Parish Councils at the end of November 2024.   

In noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) and having expressed their support for the proposals, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to recommend to Council that the scheme principles for 2025/26 remain unchanged, ensuring that the scheme continues to deliver support to low income households across the District in line with the Corporate Priority to improve the quality of life for local people.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Council Tax Support 2025-26 Report.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson

By means of a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Council Tax Support 2025/26 report was presented to the Panel.

Support for the Scheme was expressed by the Panel and following a question relating to the costs associated with recovering unpaid Council Tax where it was hoped that this would be reduced due to residents no longer being liable for the bill under the new scheme, the Panel heard that the financial impact of the scheme was being tracked against the prediction. The Panel were advised that a more detailed update could be brought once the scheme had been in place for 12 months.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the Panel’s comments would be communicated to the Cabinet in order for an informed decision to be made on the report recommendations.