Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor Alan Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was proposed by Councillor Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Freebody.

Resolved:(1) That the 2016/17 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be adopted as the local scheme for 2017/18.

(2) That continuation of the exceptional hardship fund for 2017/18 be approved subject to the continued support by the major preceptors.

Report of Director of Service Delivery.

Cabinet lead member:  Councillor Alan Shuttleworth.

(1) Full council recommended to adopt the 2016/17 scheme as the local scheme for 2017/18.

(2) Exceptional hardship fund continues for 2017/18 subject to continued support by the major preceptors.

35.1 Cabinet considered the report of the director of service delivery.  The council was under a duty to review its local scheme each year and any changes to the scheme must be adopted by 31 January preceding the start of the new financial year. 

35.2 On 20 November 2015 the council had adopted a revised scheme for 2016/17 (following recommendations of the cabinet on 21 October 2016) that:

·         Limited a council tax reduction to 80% of the council tax liability.

·         Assumed a minimum income for claimants who have been self-employed for more than 12 months

The current scheme, which was similar to the schemes adopted by Lewes, Rother and Wealden councils, followed the principles of protecting the most vulnerable, incentivising individuals into work and took into account and meeting the financial pressures on the council and the major preceptors.  The changes made to the 2016/17 scheme had reduced the cost of the scheme by c£1.2m to c£8.0m against the cost of the scheme in 2015/16.  No changes to the current scheme were proposed.

35.3 An exceptional hardship fund of £47,499 had been established for 2016/17 to provide additional support to those most affected by the 20% reduction in liability and the change to the way self-employed claims were assessed.  The council contributed £6,426 to the fund with the remainder coming from the major preceptors in proportion to their share of the council tax.  The scheme was intended to mitigate the impact of the changes that severely affected someone’s ability to pay the tax due.  As at the 31 August 2016 17 awards totalling £2,876.84 had been made.  It was hoped that the major preceptors would agree to continued support for the fund in 2017/18.

*35.4 Resolved (budget and policy framework): (1) That full council be recommended to adopt the 2016/17 scheme as the local scheme for 2017/18.

(2) That the exceptional hardship fund continues for 2017/18 subject to continued support by the major preceptors.