Decision details

1)    That Cabinet recommends Full Council approves:-

i)      the continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2024/25, and

ii)     the provision for Care Leaver support under this scheme to be increased to age 25.

2)    That Cabinet delegates approval for the 2024/25 final scheme policy to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, including administrative and minor changes.

·       Full Council must make any revision to its scheme, or any replacement, and agree its final scheme no later than 11 March 2024 in respect of the 2024/25 financial year;

·       Continuation of the current scheme would align the CTS scheme and uprating for working age customers with DWP provisions for Housing Benefit and the CTS scheme for pensioners.  This had been consistent each year since the introduction of the local scheme, and would maintain that position for 2024/25, pending a fundamental review of the scheme for future years.

·       The ‘do nothing’ option was considered, which would see the current scheme retained without uprating.