The
Committee received a presentation from Mrs Sheila Coburn, the Head
of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service, outlining the proposed
Council Tax Penalty Policy.
Mrs
Coburn explained:
·
Many other Councils in
Kent already had a Council Tax Penalty Policy.
·
The purpose of the policy was to ensure that the
Council sent out a clear message that it was not acceptable for
customers to not inform the Council of
changes in circumstances that would affect their entitlement to
Council Tax discounts, Council Tax support and Housing
Benefit.
·
The Council had the power to withdraw any penalties
if a customer issued with a penalty was found to be
vulnerable.
In
response to questions from the Committee, Mrs Coburn confirmed that
the Penalty Policy could be introduced without having to increase
resources or staffing in the team.
RESOLVED:
1.
That civil
penalties for
Council Tax, Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit are
introduced.
2.
That the policy in Appendix 1 is
approved.
Voting: For -
14
Against - 0
Abstentions - 1