Decision

The Executive resolved as
follows:
 

To
note the impact of the Scheme to date as set out in paragraphs 6.8
and 6.9 of the Executive report.

To
recommend Council to agree the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025/26
as set out in Appendix 3c, to the Executive report.

To
recommend to Council that the reduction applied to working age
claimants remains the same as the 2024/25 Scheme agreed by Council
on 31 January 2024 and that the main elements and method of
calculating awards will be the same and to recommend the
introduction of a tolerance level for Council Tax Reduction Scheme
customers in receipt of Universal Credit. Where an award of
Universal Credit increases or decreases by +/-£65 per month
(+/-£15 per week) there is no amendment to the Universal
Credit income on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme
claim.

To
recommend that the Council agrees to continue to operate a
Discretionary Discount Policy to be awarded in cases of exceptional
hardship as set out at Appendix 3a, to the Executive
report. 

To
note at this point in time the Ministry of Housing. Communities and
Local Government may still issue changes to the known position for
the Pensioner National Scheme. Required changes would be
incorporated into the final Scheme presented for adoption at
Council on 29 January 2025.