Purpose

This report requests the Chief Executive of Camden Council
to authorise electronic communication in connection with
applications for, and awards of, reductions under our local Council
Tax Support (CTS) scheme to now include:
 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) notifications of
Universal Credit (UC) claims where the claimant has stated in the
UC claim they either already claim CTS or intend to apply for it
– new CTS claims.

 
This means that in relation to our CTS scheme electronic
communication will consist of the above alongside existing
electronic communication methods including:
 

Online electronic application forms – new claims or
change in circumstances;
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) notifications
regarding changes in circumstances and income affecting award
amounts and scheme eligibility – existing claims;
Emails from claimants, third parties, etc. acting on
their behalf regarding changes in circumstances / income,
supporting evidence to enable accurate assessment of the claim or
anything else relevant to their existing claim.

 
This procedural change clarification on what we accept as
electronic communication is in line with “Part 4: Electronic
Communication” of “Schedule 1: Procedural
matters” in Camden’s Council Tax Support scheme which
mirrors Paragraph 11 of “Schedule 7” of the national
“Council Tax Reductions Schemes (Prescribed Requirements)
(England) Regulations 2012/2885”
 
There are no changes to the scheme eligibility or
entitlement itself.  The requested authorisation
is solely in respect of how applications are made to make it easier
for low-income households to receive a reduction in council tax
payable through our scheme.
 

Content

THAT the Chief Executive
 

agree to authorise electronic
communication in connection with applications for, and awards of,
reductions under our local Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme to now
include Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) notifications of
Universal Credit (UC) claims where the claimant has stated in the
UC claim that they either already claim CTS or intend to apply for
it (a new CTS claim).

 

note the auto enrolment
will begin as soon as our software supplier is in a position to
deliver the auto enrolment solution.