Councillor Williams to move:

That this Council notes that:      

• Reading is a town with a long and proud history of taking in refugees.
• The people of Reading have always been generous in their support for refugees from all parts of the world.
• The operation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme means that single-occupancy Council Tax discounts are not affected by offering accommodation to a Ukrainian guest.
• Outside of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, no national regulation protects single-occupancy discounts for eligible residents offering accommodation to a refugee.

This Council believes that Reading must always be a City of Sanctuary, in both name and action, for refugees in need, wherever they come from.

Consequently, this Council resolves to use its powers under Section 13A of the Local Government Act 1992 to therefore allow a resident who would normally qualify for the single-occupancy discount on Council Tax to maintain this reduction for three months if they take a refugee into their home, in line with the practice recently adopted in some other local authorities.

This Council provides further guidance to officers administering the Council Tax scheme to also consider any individual requests for an extension of this three-month period in a compassionate, fair and equitable manner.

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Terry and CARRIED.

Resolved –

That this Council notes that:     

·    Reading is a town with a long and proud history of taking in refugees.

·    The people of Reading have always been generous in their support for refugees from all parts of the world.

·    The operation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme means that single-occupancy Council Tax discounts are not affected by offering accommodation to a Ukrainian guest.

·    Outside of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, no national regulation protects single-occupancy discounts for eligible residents offering accommodation to a refugee.

This Council believes that Reading must always be a City of Sanctuary, in both name and action, for refugees in need, wherever they come from.

Consequently, this Council resolves to use its powers under Section 13A of the Local Government Act 1992 to therefore allow a resident who would normally qualify for the single-occupancy discount on Council Tax to maintain this reduction for three months if they take a refugee into their home, in line with the practice recently adopted in some other local authorities.

This Council provides further guidance to officers administering the Council Tax scheme to also consider any individual requests for an extension of this three-month period in a compassionate, fair and equitable manner.