To agree consultation proposals for the local Council Tax Support scheme, 2024/2025.

That consultation on continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2024/25 be approved.

A report was presented to provide an update on the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme and sought Executive Board approval to consult on proposals for 2024/25.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

That consultation on continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2024/25 be approved.

Reasons:

This will continue to align the CTS scheme and uprating for working age customers with DWP provisions for Housing Benefit and the CTS scheme for pensioners.  This has been consistent each year since the introduction of the local scheme.

Additional analysis work as part of this year’s review adds further emphasis to the need for a more fundamental scheme review, and work will begin in the next few months with any resulting new scheme being implemented 2025/26.

Other options:

The ‘do nothing’ option was considered, which would see the current scheme retained without uprating.