Issue - meetings

The Financial Support Manager presented the report and highlighted that the Council had adopted a Council Tax Support Scheme which enabled residents to receive up to 80 per cent support for their Council Tax liabilities.  The Council had taken into account national policies when developing the scheme.  A Hardship Fund was available for residents to access where they were struggling to pay their Council Tax.  As this was a small discretionary fund all applicants would receive financial assessments in order to help the applicant manage their finances in the long-term.

Members noted that Universal Credit was shortly due to be rolled out across the Borough and questions were raised about the potential impact that this might have on the scheme.  Officers confirmed that some amendments had already been made to the scheme in preparation for the implementation of Universal Credit and further amendments could be made in future years if evidence gathered by the Council indicated that this was required.

RECOMMENDED that

no changes are made to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2018/19.