Issue - meetings

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

1.            That the Council Tax Support Scheme in operation in 2023/2024 (included at Appendix 1) shall continue in 2024/2025.

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 2024/2025.

3.            That the Council shall re-affirm the discretionary disregards for War Pensions and War Widow(er)’s Pensions in order to safeguard the finances of war pensioners and war widow(er)s in both the Housing Benefit Scheme and the Council Tax Support Scheme.

Councillor Rowan Ree stated that the Council had the third lowest Council Tax levels in the country. He was proud of the progressive Council Tax Support Scheme as nearly half the residents received discounts through it. Also the Council was one of only 34 Councils across England to not charge anything from the most vulnerable residents. This scheme also re-affirmed the Council’s commitment to exempt from Council Tax war widows and war widowers, in addition to care leavers, students and those on the lowest incomes.

Councillor Adroine Alford acknowledged her full support to exempt war widows and war widowers from Council Tax.

The Leader stressed that the Council’s budget had dropped considerably over the years, which was a real challenge to the Council, aggravated by the high increase in inflation. Therefore, to maintain a generous scheme like this under such circumstances not only was an achievement but also demonstrated great efficiency. He thanked Councillor Ree, Sharon Lea, the Chief Executive, and all officers who prepared the budget.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

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

1.            That the Council Tax Support Scheme in operation in 2023/2024 (included at Appendix 1) shall continue in 2024/2025.

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 2024/2025.

3.            That the Council shall re-affirm the discretionary disregards for War Pensions and War Widow(er)’s Pensions in order to safeguard the finances of war pensioners and war widow(er)s in both the Housing Benefit Scheme and the Council Tax Support Scheme.