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The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):
 
1. To note the report and its financial
implications.
 
2. To agree the following approach:
 
In
the context of the council’s challenging financial position,
the committee:
a)
Welcomes the new Government’s commitment to addressing
inequalities;
b)
Instructs the Leader of the Council to make representations to the
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government
requesting that the new Government reaffirms that welfare support
to low income households is the
responsibility of national Government and should not be subject to
a postcode lottery; and that therefore it urgently reviews the
current arrangements for council tax reduction with a view to
reinstating the national council tax benefit system;
c)
Continues to fund the existing council tax reduction scheme at its
current level for
one
more year in 2025/26;
d)
Requests officers to bring forward to this committee a detailed
account of existing
and
pipeline plans to modernise the council, reduce costs and
rationalise its service
offer to reflect the community’s priorities within the
cash limits of the Medium Term
Financial Plan.