Decision details

To propose amendments to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme in respect of 2016/17, and to highlight impacts and developments in respect of the Council’s Discretionary Schemes in response to anticipated welfare reform changes.

To approve that the existing scheme is retained with amendments in line with Housing Benefit legislation from April 2016 only – namely, the limitation of backdating to four weeks only, and the removal of the family premium for new claimants.

Council tax benefit (a national scheme) was replaced by the Council tax reduction scheme (a local scheme) in April 2013. The local scheme is therefore reviewed annually to ensure that any changes to impacting legislation are considered and inconsequential changes to the scheme made if appropriate.

The supporting report sets out the changes in housing benefit legislation and the options available for consideration for the council tax reduction scheme.