The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report to clarify the operation of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for recipients of Universal Credit.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Note the clarification of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

2.    Approve a notice of clarification of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to be published on the Council website; and

3.    Instruct the Head of Financial Services to ensure that all applications for Council Tax Reduction, for the financial year 2018/19, are calculated in accordance with the original intentions of Council.

The Head of Financial Services had submitted a report to clarify the operation of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for recipients of Universal Credit.

The Leader introduced the report. The report was simply to clarify the intended purpose of the report agreed by the Council on 29 January. The scheme will be subject to ongoing review and proposals for a consultation will come to the CEB in September. Of concern are the cumulative consequences for those who are self-employed and particular steps will be taken to engage with that group of people.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Note the clarification of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

2.    Approve a notice of clarification of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to be published on the Council website; and

3.    Instruct the Head of Financial Services to ensure that all applications for Council Tax Reduction, for the financial year 2018/19, are calculated in accordance with the original intentions of Council.