Issue - meetings

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

The Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) (Councillor Martin Candler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for a local Council Tax Discount Scheme and a local Council Tax Support Scheme following a Government announcement that the national Council Tax Benefit regime would be replaced by localised Council Tax Support from 2013/14.

RESOLVED – (38 for, 19 against) That approval be given to the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme and the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme.

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.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services

From April 2013 the national Council Tax Benefit Scheme will be abolished and replaced with localised Council Tax Support arrangements. Funding for the scheme will be at least 10% lower than is currently provided. It is up to each local authority to establish its own local scheme and decide how to address the reduction in funding. The report will set out options for the local scheme.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee that from April 2013 the national Council Tax Benefit Scheme would be abolished and replaced with localised Council Tax Support arrangements. Funding for the scheme would be at least 10% lower than is currently provided. It was up to each local authority to establish its own local scheme and decide how to address the reduction in funding. The report set out options for the local scheme in Stockport.

The Executive at its meeting on 7 September 2012 had approved the recommendations in the report.

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

Concern was expressed regarding the following element of the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme:

·         Properties and empty for refurbishment should receive a 100% discount for the first two months in the same way as it was proposed for empty and unfurnished properties

Concern was expressed regarding the following elements of the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme:

·         Restricting the amount of Council tax used in the calculation to a maximum of band A for smaller households and band B for larger households.

·         Reducing the capital cut off from £16,000 to £8,000

·         Setting the minimum amount of Council Tax Support payable at £1 per week.

·         Assuming a minimum income of the national minimum wage level for self-employed claims after twelve months of trading.

Mr Houston offered to provide additional information or illustrations to members of the Scrutiny Committee and suggested that such requests should be made to the Head of Revenues and Benefits.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme being proposed by Manchester City Council be circulated to members of this Scrutiny Committee for information.

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

In response to the request from Executive on 20 August 2012, the report outlines a proposed local Council Tax Discount Scheme and a proposed local Council Tax Support Scheme.

These schemes are needed to address the reduction in funding following the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit Scheme and change to the funding arrangements for the new local support schemes.

The Executive is asked to

·                Endorse the proposed Council Tax Discount Scheme

·                Endorse the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme

·                Request that officers take the proposals forward for consultation with the public, particularly those likely to be affected by the changes, and other interested bodies with a view to bringing forward final proposals for the Executive to approve on 17 December 2012.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals to address the reduction in funding following the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit Scheme and changes to the funding arrangements for the new local support schemes. The Executive had considered a report at its meeting on 20 August 2012 setting out the background to the changes and suggesting possible options for the Council.

RESOLVED – That

·         the proposed Council Tax Discount and Council Tax Support Schemes as detailed in the report be endorsed;

·         the proposals be subject to consultation with the public, particularly those most likely to be affected by the proposed changes, and other interested bodies; and

·         the proposals be re-submitted for approval by the Executive at its meeting on 17 December 2012, together with the outcomes of the consultation exercise.