Further to Minute 37 of the meeting held on 23 September 2021, the Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the results of consultation on the proposed Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022/23 and asking the Committee to recommended the Scheme to full Council.  An equality impact assessment was set out in Appendix One, results of the consultation at Appendix Two and a table of neighbouring local authorities scheme characteristics at Appendix Three.

The report explained that the proposed changes to the Scheme benefitted residents by providing an increase in support from the current 65% maximum to 70% maximum, removing minimum Council Tax Support award of £5 per month, increasing the upper capital limit from £3,000 to £6,000, allowing a maximum of one month backdating provision and setting a standard rate of £10 Non-Dependant Deduction to apply for non-dependants irrespective of whether engaged and not engaged in remunerative work.

The report also noted that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) would complete an annual update of various allowances and those changes would be incorporated where appropriate.

Resolved –

(1)      That the proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, taking into account the results of the public consultation as set out in Appendix Two, be agreed and recommended to full Council;

(2)      That it be noted that the 2022/23 Council Tax Reduction Scheme allowances would be updated in line with Regulations.