Agenda item

The Panel is asked to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

In presenting the report, the Revenues and Benefits Manager advised that this report should be read in conjunction with the Cabinet Report ‘2016/2017 Draft Council Tax Support Scheme for Consultation’ of 9 September 2015.

The Panel was advised that the report summarised the results of the Council Tax Support consultation exercise, noted the responses to the consultation and proposed that the Council adopts the draft Council Tax Support Scheme, approved on 9 September 2015, as the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/2017.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager explained that the Council must review and agree its Council Tax Support Scheme each financial year.  The Council must consult with its major preceptors (the County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner), publish its draft Council Tax scheme, consult with interested parties, then publish its final Council Tax Support Scheme.

Members were reminded that the draft Council Tax Support Scheme was agreed by Members on 9 September 2015 and published on 18 September 2015.  The consultation period concluded on 30 October 2015.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager drew the Panel’s attention to the other options considered at section 4 of the report.

The Panel was informed of the financial implications as detailed at section 6 of the report.

Councillor Devereux commented that it was a logical report but asked if there was anything the Council could do to enhance the number of responses received from the consultation exercise or alternatively determine not to carry out a consultation exercise.  In response, the Revenues and Benefits Manager explained that the Regulations stated that there was a requirement to consult all interested parties.  Over the years, the Council had tried a variety of ways to consult as set out below:

·         2013 – letter sent to all those receiving Council Tax benefit (13,000), 100 responses received.

·         Online consultation using twitter.

·         Writing to Citizens Advice Bureau, housing associations, etc who came into contact with customers.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager advised that other Councils also had low response rates to the consultation exercise.

Councillor Collop asked the Deputy Leader if Cabinet had the information available from other Norfolk authorities when considering the Borough Council’s proposed scheme.  In response, the Deputy Leader explained that Cabinet was in receipt of this information.

Councillor Collop referred to section 4.1 of the report and commented that there alternative ways to meet the projections within the Financial Plan other than those detailed within this section of the report.  In response, the Deputy Leader that the Borough Council had to determine the way forward within its own circumstances and Cabinet felt the proposed scheme was appropriate for the Borough Council.  However, the budget would shortly be presented to Members and there would then be an opportunity for debate.

Following further comments from Councillor Collop on the consultation exercise and being understood by the average person on the street, the Chief Executive explained that there was a requirement to consult on an annual basis which proved onerous.  The current proposed scheme was the same as the previous year with very little amendment.  The practical solution would be to consult when there was a significant change in the scheme which would prove more meaningful.  However, the Government had determined the requirement to consult on an annual basis.

Councillor Wareham asked if there was a single document plain English document available for people to access which set out the relevant information.  In response, the Revenues Benefits Manager informed Members that there was not a single document available to access, but the Borough Council had trained advisors who would be advise customers accordingly, there was an online benefit calculator.  Advice could be sought via the telephone, in person or online.  There was a complex range of regulations that it would be an impossible task to try and summarise into one single document.

In response to questions and comments from Councillor Collop on the equality impact assessment, the Deputy Leader explained that the impact of the matter was down to individual interpretation.  However, it was important that the Borough Council set out the facts and gave access to customers to allow them to make their own decision.  The Council had carried out a number of ways over the previous years to encourage responses to the proposed scheme.

In response to questions from the Chairman, Councillor Humphrey on the unsure column of the Pre-Screening Equality Impact Assessment, the Revenues and Benefits Manager explained that if there was a tick in the unsure column this indicated that they may/may not be affected by the proposed.  Members were advised that full Equality Impact Assessment had been included within the 2013 Cabinet Report.

Councillor Collop wished it to be recorded that he did not support the recommendation to Cabinet as set out below.

RESOLVED: That the Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

1)            Members note the results of the consultation exercise, and

2)            The draft Council Tax Support Scheme as approved on 9 September 2015 is adopted as the full Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/2017.