To agree consultation proposals for the local Council Tax Support scheme 2025/2026.

1.             That noting the requirements of Establishing a Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25 detailed at section 5 of the report and the modification options presented, consultation be approved on the options detailed at section 6 of the report;

2.             That the Section 151 Officer in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance be delegated authority with oversight of the consultation approach.

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 2025/26.

The report provided an update on the current scheme and presented scheme modification options for the East Lindsey District Council working age Council Tax Support scheme to take forward to consultation with major preceptors and the public, with a view to helping the Council decide its local scheme for 2025/26.

The Leader of the Council stated that he was happy to support the recommendations as the report was very well thought out and considered.

During discussion following a query on the costs of introducing a hardship fund, the Head of Revenue and Benefits advised that a hardship fund would only ever be considered as a back fall looking at exceptional cases of hardship and a criteria would need defining around this to deal with on a case by case basis.  In response, the Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy stated that it would make more sense for targeted interventions to be made earlier to avoid the situation of exceptional hardship.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

1.              That noting the requirements of Establishing a Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25 detailed at section 5 of the report and the modification options presented, consultation be approved on the options detailed at section 6 of the report;

2.              That the Section 151 Officer in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance be delegated authority with oversight of the consultation approach.

Reasons

This will enable a period of consultation with major preceptors and the general public on Executive Board’s preferred scheme option(s) for its 2025/26 Council Tax Support Scheme. 

Following a consultation period, a report, including the consultation feedback, will come back to Executive Board to make its final recommendation to Full Council in respect of the scheme for 2025/26.

Other Options

Do nothing – This option is discounted as Executive Board has previously indicated its intention to carry out a more fundamental review of its scheme for 2025/26.

Replace the default, means tested scheme with an income banded scheme – this alternative approach has been discounted as part of the fundamental review process.

N.B.  Sharon Hammond, Head of Revenue and Benefits, PSPS Limited left the Meeting at 6.40pm.