To approve the continuation of the2017/18 council tax reductionschemefor 2018/19, initially approved byCouncil on 18 December 2015.

Council considered a report by the Leader of the Council to agree the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19.

The Leader introduced the report and moved the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19 as set out in the papers. The reduction scheme for 2018/19 was unchanged from the scheme in place during 2017/18.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Housing and Corporate Services seconded the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19 and explained that the introduction of Universal Credit during the year would be carefully monitored and the impact on council tax default assessed.

Members made the following points in the debate that followed:

·           How women affected by the change to retirement age would be informed of the scheme and how to apply for a council tax reduction? How hardship applicants would be made aware of how to apply for a reduction? The Cabinet Member Finance, Housing and Corporate Services explained that the scheme would be highlighted through Housing Associations and charities such as Age UK.   

·           What enquiries had been undertaken into the potential implications of Universal Credit and what had been the experience of other areas, including rates of arrears, where it had already been introduced? It was noted that levels of appeals had increased in areas where Universal Credit had been introduced. The Cabinet Member and the Section 151 officer were not aware of the effect of Universal Credit on debtor figures. All applicants to the scheme were provided with advice and the new hub in Hereford consisting of Department of Work and Pension Staff and Herefordshire Council staff would enable the scheme to be publicised more widely.

A named vote was held to agree the Council Tax Reduction Scheme set out in the report.

The scheme was approved 49 votes in favour, 0 votes against and 0 votes to abstain.

For (49): Councillors SP Anderson, PA Andrews, BA Baker, JM Bartlett,  WLS Bowen, TL Bowes, H Bramer, CR Butler, ACR Chappell, EE Chowns, MJK Cooper, PE Crockett, P Cutter, BA Durkin, PJ Edwards, CA Gandy, KS Guthrie, J Hardwick, DG Harlow, EPJ Harvey, EL Holton, JA Hyde, PC Jinman, AW Johnson, JF Johnson, J Kenyon, JG Lester, MD Lloyd-Hayes, PP Marsh, RI Matthews, RL Mayo, MT McEvilly, SM Michael, PD Newman, FM Norman, CA North, RJ Phillips, AJW Powers, PD Price, P Rone, AR Round, A Seldon, NE Shaw, J Stone, D Summers, EJ Swinglehurst, A Warmington, DB Wilcox, SD Williams.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

Resolved – that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19, in appendix 2 of the papers, is approved.

To recommend the continuation of the 2017/18 council tax reduction scheme for 2018/19 initially approved by Council on 18 December 2015

The cabinet member for finance, housing and corporate services presented the report and highlighted:

·         The scheme was reviewed on an annual basis;

·         The scheme had been agreed at full council in December 2015; and

·         the recommendation was for the scheme to continue with no changes.  

Following a query from the leader of the liberal democrats, it was confirmed that the scheme would be kept under review in case amendments were needed in future years.  

That:

(a)   it be recommended to Council that the existing council tax reduction scheme, attached at appendix 2, be retained for 2018/19.