Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:      That the consultation responses be noted and Council be recommended that the draft CTS scheme for 2025/2026 be implemented as the final working age CTS Scheme for 2025/2026.   (This must be agreed by full Council by 31 January 2025 ready for the start of the financial year on 1 April 2025)

Reason for Decision

To ensure a CTS scheme for working age people for 2025/2026 is agreed by full Council by the deadline of 31 January 2025.

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Councillor Morley presented the report on the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025-2026 and explained this was identical to the Council Tax Support Scheme for last year. He highlighted this was a 100% scheme and there were only 8 responses to the consultation. He commented the Scheme would help residents within the Borough who needed full support. He commended the continuation of the Council Tax Support Scheme.

The Chair, Councillor Beales sought clarification on appendix B to the report.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager explained the table was a comparison of the National Pension Age Council Tax Support Scheme and the Local Working Age Council Tax Support Scheme. She added the Local Working Age Council Tax Support Scheme was in line with the National Scheme which previously was not the case, and the table highlighted the amount the support would be reduce by if there was another adult living in the property. Additionally, the Revenues and Benefits Manager outlined the differences were from when the Scheme was introduced when there was protected groups for the vulnerable however it was now paid more generously. Finally, she added the appendix showed the Local Working Age Council Tax Scheme allowed residents to keep an additional £10.00 of their earnings per week before it affected their Council Tax Support.

Councillor Rust expressed her support and endorsed the continued 100% Council Tax Support Scheme to incentivise the residents on the Working Age Scheme to keep an additional £10 of their earnings per week.

The Chair, Councillor Beales echoed Councillor Rust’s comments.

RECOMMENDED:  That the consultation responses be noted and Council be recommended that the draft CTS scheme for 2025/2026 be implemented as the final working age CTS Scheme for 2025/2026.   (This must be agreed by full Council by 31 January 2025 ready for the start of the financial year on 1 April 2025)

Reason for Decision

To ensure a CTS scheme for working age people for 2025/2026 is agreed by full Council by the deadline of 31 January 2025.