Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the Council Tax Support Scheme following consultation.

(Report attached)

Members received a report which set out proposals for administering a local replacement for the existing national Council Tax Benefit scheme. The Council was expected to be facing a shortfall as a result of these changes of around £90,000 which would have to be met from savings.

Proposals had been developed through joint-working between billing authorities in Worcestershire, with the exception of Wyre Forest District Council, and in consultation with the major precepting authorities. Consensus had been reached countywide that the billing authorities would only look to gain 50% of the shortfall back through local replacement schemes. The greatest overall loss of revenue would be suffered by the County Council.

A consultation exercise had been undertaken on draft proposals but very few responses had been received. The changes that were proposed comprised changes to Council Tax exemption, whilst the Council needed to be mindful of a duty to protect vulnerable groups from adverse impacts as a result of such changes.

Officers undertook to provide all members of the Executive Committee with the details of the one consultation response received.

RESOLVED that

1)         there will not be a replacement scheme for Council Tax Benefit from April 2013; and

2)         the financial impacts and the requirement for a more fundamental review of local Council Tax support from 2014/15 be noted; and

RECOMMENDED that

3)         the exemption scheme be amended to limit discount in respect of short term empty property Class C to 50%; and

4)         the discount on second homes be removed.