Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services presented a report on the proposal to retain the existing Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme and a £50,000 discretionary hardship fund, in order to continue to support local residents who found themselves in exceptional hardship.

Members noted that the Council’s CTS scheme required minor administrative changes to improve its clarity and general administration and assist in reaching those that are entitled to support. The scheme requires updating so it is aligned better, is more compatible and has greater clarity in its interactions with Universal Credit as this caseload continues to increase, replacing existing legacy welfare benefits.

The Assembly resolved to agree that the Council Tax Support Scheme implemented for 2020/21 be retained for 2021/22, subject to the administrative changes detailed in section 2 of the report which improve clarity, align with other welfare benefits, primarily Universal Credit, and enhance access for those eligible for entitlement.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services introduced a report on the local Council Tax Support Scheme (CTSS) for 2021/22, which the Council had a statutory duty to review annually.

The Cabinet Member commented that arrangements for local schemes had been implemented by the Government in 2013 as part of its wider welfare reforms, the impact of which disproportionality impacted on the poor and disadvantaged members of society.  The Council’s CTSS had supported many residents over the years and it was proposed to retain the fundamentals of the 2020/21 scheme, including the £50,000 budget to support those in exceptional hardship, while making a number of administrative changes aimed at improving clarity, aligning with other welfare benefits, primarily Universal Credit, and enhancing access for those eligible for entitlement.

Cabinet resolved to recommend the Assembly to agree that the Council Tax Support Scheme implemented for 2020/21 be retained for 2021/22, subject to the administrative changes as set out in Section 2 of the report.