Issue - meetings
Council Tax Support Scheme 2024
Meeting: 31/01/2024 - Council (Item 132)
132 Council Tax Support Scheme 2024-2025 PDF 104 KB
Purpose:
To present the results of the public consultation on proposals for revising the current Council Tax Support scheme with effect from 1 April 2024.
Recommendations:
That Council Resolves to:
- Agree to increase Council Tax Support, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 from 1 April 2024;
- Agree that any surplus in the Support Fund is transferred over to 2024/2025 for reasons detailed in paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8;
- Approve the amendment to the Council Tax Support Policy as recommended in paragraph 2.9.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the report, which presented the results of the public consultation on proposals for revising the current Council Tax Support scheme, with effect from 1 April 2024.
The Chair advised Council of some clerical errors contained within the recommendations listed on the report, and clarified that the agreed resolutions would reflect the correct paragraph numbers referenced in the report.
In debate, Members queried the meaning of ‘Income Bands’ which related to information contained within the report. The Executive Member stated that the information related to weekly income per household. Members also suggested that information relating to uptakes in Hardship Funding be made more accessible by organisations aiding the most vulnerable.
Councillor Colin Dingwall made a declaration of interest relating to this agenda item, stating that he would abstain from the vote.
Councillor Alaric Smith proposed that Council agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Graham and was put to the vote. There were 45 votes in favour, 0 votes against and 1 abstention (Councillor Colin Dingwall).
Council Resolved to:
- Agree to increase Council Tax Support, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 from 1 April 2024;
- Agree that any surplus in the Support Fund is transferred over to 2024/2025 for reasons detailed in paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8;
- Approve the amendment to the Council Tax Support Policy as recommended in paragraph 2.9.