Issue - meetings

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019 / 2020

Meeting: 21/02/2019 - Council (Item 96)

96 Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019 / 2020 pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To reconsider the decision made by Council on 24 January 2019 and adopt a revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20.

 

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council agree the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 as set out in the report.

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 207 to 212, which gave further consideration to the adoption of a Localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The matter was considered initially at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 24 January 2019. Following that meeting, the Leader of the Council requested that the scheme approved by the Council be brought back for further consideration. In line with the Council’s Constitution, 14 Members had signed a Motion to rescind the original decision.

 

The amended scheme, set out in the report, addressed concerns expressed by Members at the previous meeting, for example the way in which child maintenance income was considered.

 

It was proposed by Lindsay Ferris and seconded by David Hare that the report be amended by adding a second recommendation in relation to the establishment of a Safety Net Fund, as follows:

 

“That Council agree:

1)         the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20;

 

2)        to set up a Safety Net Fund in the sum of £100k to support vulnerable residents who may not be able to afford even the reduced Council Tax they are expected to pay.”

 

Julian McGhee-Sumner stated that he accepted the proposed amendment.

 

Anthony Pollock stated that, due to the improvements to the scheme set out in the report, it was likely that a Safety Net Fund would only be called upon in extremis.

 

Chris Smith apologised for any distress caused to vulnerable residents over the past month and confirmed that the development of future Council Tax Reduction Schemes would be the subject of detailed cross party scrutiny.

 

Andy Croy stated that there were still issues of concern in the amended scheme, such as the disregard of Carers’ allowances, which should be addressed in the development of the scheme for 2020/21.

 

It was proposed by Julian McGhee-Sumner and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the recommendation set out in the report, as amended, be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)         the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 be approved;

 

2)        a Safety Net Fund in the sum of £100k be set up to support vulnerable residents who may not be able to afford even the reduced Council Tax they are expected to pay.