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Cabinet received a report on the Council Tax
Support Scheme.
 
In moving the report, the Portfolio Holder for
Resources and Transformation advised that for next year it was
proposed that the scheme remained the same except for any benefit
uprating. 
 
For 2026/27, however, it was proposed to change
the scheme to a banded one so that when small changes to
claimant’s income occurred it would not impact on the amount
of claimable council tax support. 
Consultation would be undertaken with the Police, County Council
and Council Tax payers and the proposals
would be considered thoroughly to make sure there were no
unintended consequences.  The cost of
the scheme would be approximately £33thousand and it was
intended that other preceptors, the County Council and the Police
would be asked to contribute.
 
Members welcomed the planned revision of the
Scheme which would make it easier for residents to pay their
Council tax and for the Council to collect it.  Members also thanked the Strategic Director (CF)
and the Finance Team for their due diligence and work on
considering changes to the scheme.
 
It
was RESOLVED:

1.        
That the current Council Tax Support scheme for
2025/26 be retained;

2.        
That a policy Overview and Scrutiny meeting be held
to consider a revised discount scheme as a
result of the number of Housing Benefit caseload
transitioning to Universal Credit in line with the timetable set
out in Para 4.5.1.

3.        
That the use of the directive contained in the
Social Security Administration Act 1992 to disregard, in full,
awards of War Widows, War Disablement and Armed Forces Compensation
when determining entitlement for housing benefit and/or council tax
support be re-approved.

4.        
That the £33,250 for inclusion in the General
Fund budget as set out in paragraph 4.3.2 be approved.