To recommend to Council the 2021/22 local council tax reduction scheme (CTR).

Council tax charges can be reduced where the bill payer meets certain set criteria contained in the council tax reduction scheme (CTR). The current scheme was initially approved by Council on 18 December 2015, amendments to the scheme are recommended to commence from 1 April 2021 to increase the discount support available.

It is a legal requirement to annually review the council’s council tax reduction scheme and the decision to approve the scheme is reserved to full Council.

That:

The council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22, with increased discounts compared to the existing scheme, be recommended to Council for approval.

1.     The local council tax reduction scheme could remain as it is and not be amended. This is not recommended as it is considered appropriate to increase discounts available in response to the impact of the national pandemic, Covid 19. Any changes to the current scheme not proposed in this report require statutory public consultation to be undertaken ahead of proposing scheme changes so are not recommended.