Issue - meetings

Background documents available via:

https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/council-tax-reduction-benefits

Matter for Decision: For each financial year, the Council is required under the Finance Act 2012 to consider whether to revise its scheme or to replace it with another scheme. The report provided details of the review of the Council’s 2013-14 scheme and proposals for the continuation of the agreed current scheme rules for the financial year 2014-15.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

i.       Agree to continue to administer the Cambridge City Council - Council Tax Reduction scheme (Persons who are not Pensioners) 2013 as approved by Council on 9 January 2013 and not to revise or replace it. For 2014/15

ii.     Agree to link allowances and premiums used in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction scheme with the same allowances and premiums used in Housing Benefit to make it easier to understand and to administer. These applicable amounts and premiums represent the needs of the individual and their family.

iii.   Agree to invoke under paragraph 48(10) of the scheme to prescribe the amounts of non-dependant deductions annually and to increase the amounts set in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) by 2.9% in line with the published Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June 2013.

iv.   Agree to retain the percentage reduction of an award (End of Calculation Deduction, see 3.3 below) as set out in paragraph 49A of the Scheme as “zero” per cent.

v.    Agree to continue with the current position regarding discounts for empty dwellings and second homes as agreed at Council on 9th January 2013.

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the Officer’s report

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the Officer’s report

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Head of Revenues and Benefits.

The committee made the following comments on the report:

i.                 Welcomed the report and were pleased that the level of support would be maintained.

In response to member’s questions the Head of Revenues and Benefits said the following:

i.       Noted Councillor Owers comment regarding the need to be mindful that just because the number of people going into work is increasing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the average amount of reduction granted to each applicant will decrease. 

The committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.