Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee, which met on 2 December 2021, in relation to the Council Tax Support Scheme 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

That the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 be amended as follows:

ØIncrease the cap on the maximum award from Band B to Band D (those living in a property banded higher than a D will receive the same amount those living in a Band D)

ØIncrease the maximum award for those passported to 100% from 75%.  Passported covers those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-related) or Income Support.  Also increase the maximum for other groups in the lowest income bands to 80% from 75%, and revise the bands as follows and continue to increase the income levels by CPI each year:

1 Income bands, categories, and awards for 2022/23

Ø  Disregard Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit and Industrial Death benefit in full

Ø  Deduct from earnings for child-care costs from those working and in receipt of Universal Credit: maximum of £175 for one child or £300 for two or more children each week

Ø  Increase the fixed non-dependant deductions from £8 to £9 per week and increase each year in line with CPI (the same as the income bands)

Ø  Reduce the earnings disregard for single people and couples without children to £20 instead of £25 per week

Ø  Re-write the regulations in a clearer way and allow for more general disregards of new one-off grants. 

To consult on and recommend the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for approval by Council.

The Committee considered a report on proposed amendments to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 following public consultation. Council was required to approve the Scheme each year.

Officers advised that there were mechanisms in place to monitor progress with the operation of the Scheme.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Council be recommended to amend the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 as follows:

Ø  Increase the cap on the maximum award from Band B to Band D (those living in a property banded higher than a D will receive the same amount those living in a Band D)

Ø  Increase the maximum award for those passported to 100% from 75%.  Passported covers those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-related) or Income Support.  Also increase the maximum for other groups in the lowest income bands to 80% from 75%, and revise the bands as follows and continue to increase the income levels by CPI each year:

1 Income bands, categories, and awards for 2022/23

Ø  Disregard Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit and Industrial Death benefit in full

Ø  Deduct from earnings for child-care costs from those working and in receipt of Universal Credit: maximum of £175 for one child or £300 for two or more children each week

Ø  Increase the fixed non-dependant deductions from £8 to £9 per week and increase each year in line with CPI (the same as the income bands)

Ø  Reduce the earnings disregard for single people and couples without children to £20 instead of £25 per week

Ø  Re-write the regulations in a clearer way and allow for more general disregards of new one-off grants.