Issue - meetings

Following a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151), the Community Policy Development Group made the following recommendations to Cabinet:

1)    To increase the maximum reduction from 85% to 100%.

2)    To disregard the housing element of universal credit in the calculation.

3)    To increase the income bands by inflation each year.

4)    That any income from welfare provision to be disregarded.

5)    That this policy is adopted.

The Cabinet were presented a report* which sought to amend the current scheme in order to expand the assistance for customers.

The following was discussed:

-        Was important to help those in need during this cost of living crisis.

-        This would come at a cost to the Council, circa £50k for Mid Devon District Council.

RESOLVED:

1.     To increase the maximum reduction from 85% to 100%.

2.     Disregard the housing element of universal credit in the calculation.

3.     Increase the income bands by inflation each year.

4.     Any income from welfare provision to be disregarded.

5.     That this policy is adopted by Mid Devon District Council Cabinet.

(Proposed from the Chair)

Reason for Decision: As stated in the report.

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Section 13A (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the Council as the billing authority to make a localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme in accordance with Section 1A of the act.

The Council is looking to amend the current scheme in order to expand the assistance for our customers.

The Group had before it a *report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) providing a review into the Council Tax Reduction Scheme & Exceptional Hardship Policy.

The Operations Manager for Revenues and Benefits explained that there were changes to the policy required and that officers were looking to review and amend the current scheme in order to expand the assistance for our customers from 85% to 100% relief.

A customer survey had been conducted with over 1000 responses in favour of amending the scheme.

Consideration was given to:

·         MDDC would only bear 11% of the costs circa £56K

·         The cost to DCC would be circa £356K

·         Pensioners were protected by schemes set by Government

·         North and East Devon had proposed similar schemes

It was therefore RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet:

1) TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM REDUCTION FROM 85% TO 100%

2) TO DISREGARD THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT IN THE CALCUATION

3) TO INCREASE THE INCOME BANDS BY INFLATION EACH YEAR

4) THAT ANY INCOME FROM WELFARE PROVSION TO BE DISREGARDED

5) THAT THIS POLICY IS ADOPTED

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes