The Head of Revenues and
Benefits Shared Service introduced the report and stated that, if
agreed by the Committee and Council, the implementation date would
be the 1 April 2022.
The current Council Tax
Reduction Scheme had been implemented in 2021, and was a new scheme
based on five wide income bands. The contributing factors to the
scheme’s change were outlined and positive feedback had since
been received from the Council’s Customer Services Team and
the Citizens Advice Bureau. Due to the feedback received and the
current scheme having only been implemented in 2021, it was
recommended that no changes were made in preparation for the
2022-23 financial year.
In response to questions, the
Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service confirmed that the
income bands were based on monthly net income and that several
‘roadshows’ would be taking place across the borough to
increase awareness of the scheme.
The Committee expressed support
for the scheme proposed.
RESOLVED: That
1.
The progress of the inaugural year of the income
banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme, be noted; and
2.
Full Council be recommended that no changes are made
to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022-2023, for the reasons
outlined in the report.
Note: Councillor Blackmore
joined the meeting at 7.08 p.m. and abstained from voting on the
item.