Issue - meetings

A presentation will be provided by the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Services

The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service gave a presentation on a proposed scheme for Council Tax Support for 2019-20.  She explained that following changes in regulations in 2013, it was for individual Local Authorities to arrange their own Council Tax Support arrangements for working age customers.  Council Tax support schemes for pensions continued to be determined by Central Government.  

The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service explained that the cost of Council Tax Support was borne by the tax base and that the precepts for 2018/19 were:

·        HCC            76.98%

·        Police         9.56%

·        EHC             9.57%

·        Parish        3.89%

It was noted that the administrative costs to process applications was borne 100% by the Council but that it received a grant of £109,576 from Central Government towards these administration costs. 

The new Universal Credit (UC) scheme was explained and would be introduced in this area from October 2018.  The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service explained why this would increase administrative costs and the problems this would cause in terms of uncertainty in relation to customers’ council tax obligations and the Council’s ability to collect the liability.   She explained a possible approach to address this issue in order to protect the vulnerable and to give people certainty about what they had to pay.  It was noted that data modelling was programmed to start shortly and in advance of the introduction of UC in October 2018.  The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service stressed the need to protect the vulnerable during this change of process.

It was noted that consultation would be carried out on the scheme with council taxpayers.  

The Committee Chairman sought and was provided with assurances that the scheme would have adequate safeguards.

Councillor M Casey asked why there was not a national scheme if there were so many challenges with having local schemes. The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service acknowledged this and explained that the deregulation for working age customers was a Central Government decision. 

In response to a query by Councillor H Drake, the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service explained “non-dependant disregards” in relation to 18 year olds living at home.

The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service for her detailed presentation and the proactive steps proposed to support vulnerable people at risk.

RESOLVED – that the presentation be received.