The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report to seek approval for changes to the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024/25.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.       Approve the increase in the income bands used in the Council Reduction Scheme for 2024/25 as per table 2;

2.       Note that no further changes are being recommended to the scheme for 2024/25; and

3.       Recommend to Council to adopt the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024/25.

The Head of Financial Services had submitted a report to seek approval for changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024/25.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management, highlighted that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme provided assistance to people of working age with Council Tax.  The Council was unusual amongst authorities in funding up to 100% of Council Tax, although this was now becoming financially very difficult.  The scheme for 2024/25 did not introduce any major changes; however, it did increase the income bands which were used to assess entitlement.  This meant that eligible recipients whose income had increased due to inflation would continue to be supported.

Cabinet resolved to recommend to Council to:

1.       Approve the increase in the income bands used in the Council Reduction Scheme for 2024/25 as per table 2;

2.       Note that no further changes are being recommended to the scheme for 2024/25; and

3.       Adopt the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024/25.