To recommend to Council the continuation of the 2019/20 local council tax reduction scheme (CTR) for 2020/21.

The leader of the council introduced the report and it was confirmed that no significant changes to the scheme were proposed.

Cabinet members noted the importance of the scheme and the links to challenges identified in the corporate plan such as low wages and levels of fuel poverty. The chief finance officer explained that the council worked with a number of agencies to support households in distress. Discussions had taken place with the citizens’ advice bureau and it had been established that the council met the standards for and would look to sign up to the CAB protocol on council tax.

Group leaders expressed support for the scheme. The potential impact of the roll out of Universal Credit was raised. It was felt that the current scheme had worked reasonably well but the risk of people falling through the cracks was noted.

It was agreed that:

(a)   The council tax reduction scheme for 2020/21, with the same parameters as the existing scheme, be recommended to Council for approval.