Issue - meetings

The report seeks a decision in respect of the Council’s 2015/16 Council Tax Support scheme (report of the Finance Manager is enclosed).

Members considered a report by the Finance Manager seeking a decision in respect of the 2015/16 Council Tax Support Scheme.

It was noted that the Local Council Tax Support (CTS) discount schemes replaced the previous national Council Tax Benefit (CTB) scheme from 1 April 2013.

South Holland District Council’s first local scheme in 2013/14 was redesigned to meet specified criteria that qualified for a one year special government transitional grant. This grant was not however made available in the second year, 2014/15, and following consultation and decision making process, at the meeting of Full Council in January 2014 it was decided to retain the core characteristics of the 2013/14 scheme, but reduce the level of support to working age claimants.

DECISION:

1)    That Council approves the continuation of the current Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme into 2015/16 with up-rating for working age claimants and compliance with the Prescribed Scheme Regulations:

i) protection for pensioners in line with legislative provision

ii) Protection for war widow(ers)

iii) Limit the level of CTS award to 75% of entitlement for those who do not fall in i) or ii) above; and

2)    That the delegation for developing the content of the final policy for the 2015/16 scheme to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to ensure the policy reflects the latest information including prescribed scheme updates.