Decision

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.