Issue - meetings

The Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee presented the report which had been considered by the Committee and referred to Council for approval.

No changes were made to the scheme in 2017/18 but amendments were made in 2018/19 in anticipation of Universal Credit implementation and again in 2019/20.  Data available showed that it had been effective and that the collection rate for Council Tax Support claimants last year was just over 70%, an increase of 1.5% on the previous year.  

At the end of October this financial year the collection rates for council tax support claimants was 46.52% an increase on the same period last year of 3.22%.

In view of this it was considered appropriate to continue to embed the current scheme with both staff and council tax support claimants for at least a further year taking this scheme through to 2021.

This Option had been supported by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting in December 2019 and as such was being recommended to Full Council for approval and adoption from 1 April 2020.

The recommendations were moved and seconded and on being voted upon it was:-

RESOLVED that:

(a)     Option 1 be agreed as the preference for the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for West Lindsey District Council for 2020/21, this being: -

*      to adopt the scheme based on the 2019/20 scheme with adjustments to include any new legislation affecting the default/pension age scheme and the uprated non-dependent deductions, applicable amounts and allowances as per the Department for Works and Pensions annual “up-ratings”

as recommended by Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 4 December 2019.

Members considered the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21.

The Revenues Manager introduced the report and informed Members that there was no proposed change to the scheme from the previous year.

A study on universal credit claimants showed that the collection rate for Council Tax as of 1 December was 3% higher than at the same time last year.  This gives Council officers the opportunity to improve their budgeting.

                        RESOLVED to:

(1)  Note the contents of the report and;

(2)  Recommend that Full Council adopt Option 1 of the report for the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for West Lindsey District Council for 2020/21.