Agenda item

The Director of Finance submits a report providing an overview of the proposed simplified “banded” council tax support scheme and the consultation results.

Due to an interest declared, Councillor March left the meeting prior to this item being considered.

The Director of Finance submitted a report providing an overview of the proposed simplified “banded” council tax support scheme and the consultation results.

The Strategic Policy Lead presented the attached slides outlining the issues with the previous scheme and informing members of how the new scheme would work.

The Committee were asked to comment and note this report and presentation prior to a decision being made on the scheme at Full Council on 16^th January.

Members were invited to ask questions and make comments.  Key points included:

• Concern was raised that it was difficult to express an opinion without fully knowing what alternative schemes would entail.
• It was explained that the reason it needed to go to Full Council on 16^th Jan was because the tax base needed to be set and the bill would need to be calculated before the scheme was rolled out.
• It was suggested that under the current scheme, people were accruing debt, which put the Council and households in an untenable position.
• Alternative schemes could not deviate too much from what was consulted on as there would be a legal risk.
• The deadline for the implementation of the second week of March was a statutory deadline for the Local Authority to confirm a scheme for the following year.  Once a base was set, the only alternative would be to revert to the current scheme. 
• As tax bases would be affected, it would be necessary to inform the police and fire service by the end of January 2025.
• The current scheme had been made unworkable by the introduction of Universal Credit due to the flux in payments.
• Legislation dictated that the consultation was relevant to the time period that this was done in.
• If a re-consultation was conducted next year, it would mean that there was a round of 4-6 months of people getting billed.
• Two briefings for members would be held on 16^th December to help them understand the scheme.
• In response to the concern raised, it was suggested that a paper be sent to members before Full Council detailing the scheme including details of alternative schemes.  Also that further briefings be offered in the new year in addition to those on 16^th December, and the possibility of recording these sessions be considered.
• Concern was raised that some residents would miss out on support under the proposed scheme.
• In response to concern raised about public support for the scheme, it was clarified that ‘Don’t Know’ was not classified he same as ‘No’, and if there was a judicial review, they would take the same view.
• Concern was raised about difficulty in understanding the report and the new scheme.

AGREED

1)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

2)    That a paper be sent to members before Full Council detailing the scheme including details of alternative schemes.

3)    That further briefings be offered in the new year in addition to those on 16th December, and the possibility of recording these sessions be considered.

Councillor Batool left the meeting following the consideration of this item.