Decision Maker: Full Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 18, 2024

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.   Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:- 1)    Agree and approve the increase to income band thresholds by the September 2024 CPI rate of 1.7% in line with the percentage increase to state benefits as implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 2)    Agree for the Leader to write to the Minister for Local Government to explore the case for Somerset Council’s Council Tax to be raised by more than the referendum limit, due to Exceptional Financial Support, low Council Tax base and rate, increasing demand, and taking into account Government’s requirement that plans be in place to protect vulnerable people. 3)    Agree and approve the CTR and associated EH scheme for 2025/26 as set out in this paper. 4)    Conditional upon the Local Government Financial Settlement, and associated Household Support Fund announcement, this Council commit itself to: 1.    Further increased support to the Exceptional Hardship fund to target help at those impacted by those changes - with particular attention given to households identified as disproportionately affected. 2.    Include details regarding information and signposting to additional support through both council tax billing documents and through making additional contact with every impacted household. The Council further agree that, should additional funding capacity become available and the budget balanced in a sustainable way, the impact of those changes would be addressed to minimise or if possible remove them through the provision of a one-off grant or similar.