Decision details

As part of the response to COVID 19 the government provided local authorities with £500m of grant funding to support economically vulnerable people and households in their local area.

Billing authorities will provide all recipients of working age local council tax support (CTS) with a further reduction in their annual council tax bill of £150 in 2020/21.  Where a taxpayer’s liability for 2020/21 is, following the application of CTS, less than £150, then their liability would be reduced to nil.  Where a taxpayer’s liability for 2020/21 is already nil, no reduction to the council tax bill will be available.

It is proposed that in addition to the above £0.500m of the funding is set aside to increase the Council’s discretionary hardship support funds with any remaining amounts utilised to support the Council’s humanitarian support for vulnerable residents.  The process for application and administration of the discretionary hardship fund is provided.

By delegating the decision making for the scheme to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, an efficient scheme will be created which provides support to residents as quickly as possible, while maintaining prudent financial controls.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance has given approval to the approach, indicative allocations and the application and administration of the discretionary hardship fund as detailed in the report and associated appendices.

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