Issue - meetings

Councillor Anne Welburn  as Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, was pleased to present the report to Council which sought approval of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22.

Amendments had been made to the scheme in 2019/20 in anticipation of Universal Credit implementation and no changes had been made in 2020/21.

Data available showed that it had been effective and that the collection rate for Council Tax support claimants last year was almost 78%, an increase of 7.85% on the previous year.  

Due to the health and economic impacts Covid-19 had had on the residents of West Lindsey this year and the effective collection rate 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 the scheme through to 2022.

This Option, Option 1 within the report had been supported by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting in December 2020 and as such was recommended to Full Council for approval and adoption from 1 April 2021.

Councillor Welburn concluded her introduction by moving the recommendation, which was duly seconded.  On being put to the vote it was:-

RESOLVED that the Recommendation from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee be accepted and Option 1 of the report be adopted as the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for West Lindsey District Council for 2021/22.

Members considered a report recommending the adoption of a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22.  The Revenues Manager recommended Option 1 in the report, which would mean no changes to the current scheme, with the exception of annual Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) upratings.

The Revenues Manager outlined the following points in response to a question from a Member:

·         The Council Tax Support Scheme was replacing the benefits scheme.  It was payments for those residents who were experiencing financial hardship.  It would be difficult to include a discount through the council tax support scheme for environmentally friendly properties as it was for residents on low income.  It was possibly something to look at in the future;

·         Any changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme would have to go out to consultation, and would be discussed with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee;

·         Every effort was made to make the scheme cost neutral; however with the ongoing pandemic this may not be possible.  There were still new claimants coming through the system.

The report had earlier been moved and seconded, and following a vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED to:

(1)  Note the content of the report;

(2)  Recommend to Full Council the adoption of option 1 of the report for the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for West Lindsey District Council for 2021/2022.