Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

For Executive to review consultation responses and consider City of Lincoln Council’s proposed Localised Council Tax Support scheme for 2016/17, and refer to Full Council for approval.

Decision

That Council be recommended to:

1.    Review consultation responses relating to the Localised Council Tax Support scheme for 2016/17.

2.    Approve the proposed City of Lincoln Council’s Localised Council Tax Support scheme for 2016/17.

3.    Approve continuation of an Exceptional Hardship Fund of £10,000 for 2016/17 to top-up Council Tax Support awards in appropriate cases. 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

Every billing authority had to consider whether it would revise its Council Tax Support scheme each year by 31 January. The Council therefore had to decide whether it wished to amend any elements of its scheme.  In previous years the Council adopted a scheme that did not change entitlement rules from the previous Council Tax Benefit system.

Any alternative schemes would require significant changes, which would impact on all groups, including those with lower incomes such as working age groups out of work and those in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance or income support. In view of the Council’s strategic priority to reduce poverty and disadvantage, it was to be recommended that no changes be made to the core elements of the scheme for 2016/17. While members noted the objections of the other precepting authorities, the Executive concluded that it appeared unlikely that changes to the scheme to limit the support currently available would either act as an incentive to work or would be affordable for vulnerable people.

The decision to maintain the amount available in the hardship fund was taken as a result of the high demand for support in the current financial year.