Issue - meetings

This paper provides the Executive Member for Finance and  Performance in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods with an option to provide a further Council Tax Support (CTS) Hardship Scheme in 2021/22 in the light of Government funding and the ongoing financial impacts on residents of the covid-19 pandemic.

Resolved: That approval be given to award £75 per Council Tax Support Customer for 2021-22 as set out in paragraph 12 of the report.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents in managing the ongoing impacts of the covid-19 pandemic.

The Executive Members considered a report detailing options to provide a further Council Tax Support (CTS) Hardship Scheme in 2021/22 in the light of Government funding and the ongoing financial impacts on residents of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Head of Customer & Exchequer Services outlined the report noting that there may be increased numbers of residents accessing the hardship fund as a result of the pandemic and its economic impact on residents. He detailed the three options available to the Executive Members:

Option 1 - £75 per CTS customer approx. cost £625K

Option 2 - £50 per CTS customer approx. cost £350K

Option 3 – Provide no direct support to CTS customers

The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods was pleased that the council was able to provide the £150 hardship fund top up the previous year and she recognised the need to take a prudent approach, taking into account the supported that may be needed by residents with the ending of furlough. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance then expressed concern that the costs for social care had been passed onto council.

It was then:

Resolved: That approval be given to option 1 to award £75 per Council Tax Support Customer for 2021-22 as set out in paragraph 12 of the report.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents in managing the ongoing impacts of the covid-19 pandemic.