Issue - meetings

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

RESOLVED – That Full Council be recommended:

1.  That the progress of the income banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be noted.

2. That no changes are made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24 for the reasons stated in the report 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 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 Christopher Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced Zoe Kent, Interim Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits who presented the report as set out in the agenda.

A statement made by Councillor Hall included the following:

-       Rising inflation and high fuel and energy prices had resulted in economic uncertainty and a huge challenge for residents.

-       There had been little from Central Government regarding the likelihood of any further support for residents. 

-       The delay in the autumn statement (17 November 2022) meant that any future funding remained uncertain. 

-       The Partnership would therefore need to consider ways for more support to be made available to those most vulnerable.  This would include reviewing the current support available, including the level of Council Tax Support offered and to investigate other support initiatives that targeted those that need it the most. 

RESOLVED – That Full Council be recommended:

1.  That the progress of the income banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be noted.

2. That no changes are made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24 for the reasons stated in the report 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 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 set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The figures detailed in section 1.4 of the report refer to the full cost of the scheme, including Kent County Council, Police, Fire and Borough. The cost to TWBC was 10% of the total figure.

-       The figures included in the table at 1.10 of the report were earnings and did not include rental costs or any other benefits.

-       The Community Support Fund still existed but because there was no surplus in the in-year budget review, there was no money in it.

-       The Household Support Fund had just resumed and would run initially until March 2023, but it was hoped it would then run for further year. 

-       Details of how the scheme would run were dependent on discussions currently taking place at County level.  Once County had formulated their policy on how the scheme would be run, details would be disseminated to the Borough.  It would include whether the scheme would be managed entirely at County level or whether some functions would be delegated to be managed by the Borough. 

-       The Banded Scheme was easier to manage.  Many of the processes had now been automated and it was hoped that more functions would be automated from April 2023.  The scheme was far simpler both for officers and for claimants.

-       A family of 4  living in a Band D property would still be required to pay 75% of their Council Tax bill, which based on this year’s rates would be £1,500.00 (from a total of £2,032.00).  Based on an average monthly earnings total of £1,169.98, and an average rental cost of a 2 bedroom property of £1,426 per month, this amount was unaffordable.

-       It was recognised that this was a high amount, but there was a separate pot of money available that could be used for hardship cases.  Residents can apply direct to the Council for additional funding.

-       It was suggested the scheme in its current form was not fit for purpose. That a family earning £1,100 per month and where average rental costs were £1,400 per month, were still expected to pay 75% of their Council Tax Bill (Band D property).

-       Whilst other sources of funding were available, the onus was on the individual to be aware of this and to apply to the Council for additional support.

-       The award should be increased to those most in need. This would be a fairer way of ensuring that those who need it most were appropriately supported. 

-       It was further stated that it should be clear, the numbers contained within the report were total figures i.e. the cost to the Kent taxpayer and not the cost to the Tunbridge Wells taxpayer. 

-       It was not appropriate to provide a recommendation when the details were County wide and not specific to Tunbridge Wells.

-       When  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44