Issue - meetings

This report sets out the results of consultation undertaken in respect of the financial support provided to CTS customers by the Council in relation to its Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme. The Executive are asked to consider the options whilst noting that any cost would be reflected in a lower Council Tax base number, a lower level of Council Tax being collected and that any reduction would be reflected in the budget report to Full Council in February 2016. 

Recommended: That Council agree to increase the Council Tax Support (CTS) cap by 7.5% to 77.5% cap at a cost of approximately £300k pa, which following changes to welfare benefit will deliver an average annual benefit to CTS customers of approximately £55 pa.

Reason:              To support financial inclusion and protect financially vulnerable customers from planned Welfare Benefit changes.

The Executive considered a report which provided details of consultation undertaken with residents regarding the level of financial assistance provided by the Council in respect of its Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS). This included an analysis of the customer consultation feedback, including the costs of the various options, welfare benefit changes and levels of financial support provided by other unitary authorities.

Members were asked to note that any cost would be reflected in a lower Council Tax base number, resulting in a lower level of Council Tax being collected and that any reduction would be reflected in the budget report to Full Council in February 2016. 

Officers presented the results of the consultation and confirmed that the proposed changes in welfare benefits would not be passed on to CTS customers. It was noted that it would require an additional 7.5% increase in the CT cap in order to bring the authority in line with the average cost of Council Tax charged to CTS customers in other unitary authority schemes. 

The Executive Member thanked all residents who had taken part in the consultation and to Officers for their work on the report. She expressed her support to bring the Council’s scheme in line with the national average weekly payment and also requested Officers and partners to continue their work with vulnerable residents to access all available assistance.

The Chair highlighted Advice York’s support for the authorities’ CTS scheme and that their concern had focussed on the level of Council Tax Support cap currently set at 70%.

Members were provided with information regarding the impact of different levels of increased support and following further discussion it was

Recommended: That Council agree to increase the Council Tax Support (CTS) cap by 7.5% to 77.5% cap at a cost of approximately £300k pa, which following changes to welfare benefit will deliver an average annual benefit to CTS customers of approximately £55 pa. ^1.

Reason:              To support financial inclusion and protect financially vulnerable customers from planned Welfare Benefit changes.