Purpose

To determine the Council Tax Support scheme
for 2025/26

Decision

1.         
That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2025/26 be
revised with all of the following modification options:

 
a.    
Increase the maximum CTS for households with
children to 85%.
b.    
Remove the earnings disregard to Universal Credit
claims.
c.    
Introduce a standard £10 rate for
non-dependant deductions.
d.    
Increase Lower and Upper capital limits.
e.    
Increase the threshold for changes in Universal
Credit to £30 per week, with discretion for
flexibility.
f.     
Uprate in line with DWP uprating amounts for
2025/26.

 
2.         
That the Cabinet decision be recommended to Full
Council for approval.

 
3.         
That approval for the 2025/26 final scheme policy be
delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the
Portfolio Holder for Finance, including administrative and minor
changes.
 
4.         
That an Exceptional Hardship Fund be introduced to
operate alongside the Council Tax Support scheme.
 
5.         
That decision on the Exceptional Hardship Fund
budget and scheme detail be delegated to the Section 151 Officer,
in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance