Issue - meetings

Councillor Max Schmid stated that this Council was investing £9m to support the Borough's lowest income families pay their Council Tax.  He added that the Coalition Government had changed the policy 10 years ago to default the decision to councils to support low-income families pay their Council Tax without maintaining their financial support. This meant that many councils started changing a “’minimum payment” from residents on benefits, causing them serious financial stress. However, this Council offered full Council Tax support for those in need and was the only council in the country not to use bailiffs to collect debts.

The Leader stressed that this Council seriously looked at the cost-of-living crisis with great concern. Therefore, supporting struggling low-income families was the right thing to do.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS PRESENT:

It is recommended that Cabinet agree the following recommendations to be approved by Full Council:

1.    That the Council Tax Support Scheme in operation in 2021/2022 (included at Appendix 1) shall continue in 2022/2023.

2.    That the Council shall apply the annual uprating of allowances, applicable amounts and income, set out in the DWP Housing Benefit circular, to the Council Tax Support scheme for 2022/2023.