Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services)

In response to the request from the Executive at its meeting on 7 September 2012, this report proposes a local Council Tax Discount Scheme and a local Council Tax Support Scheme.

These schemes are needed because the Council is required to establish a local scheme for these areas. In addition the Council must decide how to address the reduction in funding following the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit and change to the funding arrangements for the new local support schemes.

The schemes have been considered by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on three occasions as it has been developed. 

The Executive is asked to:-

·                Endorse the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme and

·                Endorse the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme and

·                Recommend both schemes to the Council Meeting for approval

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a local Council Tax Discount Scheme and a local Council Tax Support Scheme. The Council was now required to establish a local scheme for these areas but the requirement also meant that the Council would have a reduction in funding following the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit and change to the funding arrangements for the new local support schemes.

An additional document had been submitted (copies of which had been circulated) as Appendix 2 to the report which clarified the position on Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions following publication of additional legislation by the Government subsequent to the publication of the report to the Executive.

The Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) commended the work of officers involved in preparing the proposals given the frequently changing parameters they were working within.

RESOLVED – That the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme and the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme be endorsed and that the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the schemes.