Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the progress of the income banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be noted.
2. For the reasons stated in the report, no changes be made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023-24 be approved.
3. That the Council seeks to provide support to those struggling on low incomes and with the ‘cost of living; crisis through the establishment of a Community Support fund, details of which are contained in the In-Year Budget Review 2022/23 Report and through the use of the Household Support Fund be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION: To continue with the new system that has provided a simplified inbuilt claiming process covering a wide range of income ranges. 

Councillor Andrew Hickey provided a short summary of the discussion that took place at the Cabinet Advisory Board and then introduced Zoe Kent, Interim Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits Partnership who presented the report as set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The Community Support Fund would be established to help those in the Borough who were most in need.  As part of this, and in the knowledge that as autumn approaches and with inflation continuing to rise,  the Council was aiming to raise up to £100k to help support the neediest and poorest residents in the Borough.   

-       The Council needed to act locally as a local council for the benefit of residents who were most vulnerable.

-       The Labour Group had campaigned for several years for the Council Tax Support package to be looked at with a view to being able to offer more support to those most in need.  The recommendation included in the report to establish a Community Support Fund recognised the challenging circumstances that were being faced by some residents and to look at other ways that support could be offered was very welcomed. 

-       The Labour Group had consistently objected that the Council only offered a reduction of 80% to those individuals and families who were on the highest levels of Universal Credit. 

-       Advice received made clear that to withdraw from the current scheme would cause enormous complexities and would cost the Council payments from Kent County Council for the way the scheme was currently administered.  Additionally, it would cost Kent Taxpayers money as the Council would not be raising as much money as previously.  That said, the Labour position remained, that those in receipt of the highest level of Universal Credit should not be paying Council Tax.  The Labour Group would continue to monitor the scheme closely. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the progress of the income banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be noted.
2. For the reasons stated in the report, no changes be made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023-24 be approved.
3. That the Council seeks to provide support to those struggling on low incomes and with the ‘cost of living; crisis through the establishment of a Community Support fund, details of which are contained in the In-Year Budget Review 2022/23 Report and through the use of the Household Support Fund be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION: To continue with the new system that has provided a simplified inbuilt claiming process covering a wide range of income ranges. 

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report. 

Zoe Kent, Interim Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits Partnership introduced the report as set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       Figures for those in Band 1 who had defaulted on the 20% payment for last year were not available but details would be provided after the meeting. 

-       As at the end of June collection rates for benefit claimants was 26% and 28.95% for all residents.

-       The collection rates for 2021/22 was 77.98%, for 2020/21 it was 88.92% and for 2019/20 it was 85.13%.

-       A reduction from 20% to 15% in the total amount paid by benefit claimants would cost the tax payer a total of £652,000.  TWBC would be liable for 10% of these costs i.e. £65k.  The remainder of the cost would be passed on to the police, fire brigade and Kent County Council.

-       Revenues and Benefits already worked with organisations including the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in order to try and help those most in need.

-       The Director of Finance had previously been asked to model what the cost would be to the Council if it were to pay 100% of the costs. It was agreed to provide Members with details.  These were subsequently provided after the meeting as follows:

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported.