CEB Dec 2017: To recommend that Full Council adopt a new Council Tax Reduction Scheme from 2018/19

Council Jan 2017: To adopt a new Council Tax Reduction Scheme from 2018/19

The Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services had submitted a report to consider the feedback from the recent consultation on the proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and to agree the principles of the new scheme to be drawn up for approval by Council on 29th January 2018.

Councillor Susan Brown, Board Member for Customer & Corporate Services, introduced the report. While there had been relatively few responses to the consultation they had been well informed and of high quality.  The report’s recommendations were supported by the majority of respondents; would allow officers to respond to some of the consequences of the introduction of Universal Credit for hard pressed families; and represent a significant contribution to financial inclusion. It was noteworthy that the City was one of only a few to provide such support.

In discussion it was observed that the opportunity to raise Council tax referred to in the previous item could have cumulative consequences for families if, for example, the City Council,  County Council and Thames Valley Police all chose to take advantage of it. This was something which Members and officers would have to have regard to.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Note the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

2.    Instruct the Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services  to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19, including provision for uprating the proposed income band scheme, and submit the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme to Council for approval at its meeting on the 29th January 2018; and

3.    Recommend Council to resolve to adopt the new Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.