To consider a report from the Cabinet (copy attached), which seeks approval for changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme and Council Tax Discounts to take effect from 1st April 2018. The Cabinet Member for Concessions and Community Support (Cr. G.B. Lyon) will introduce this item.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for
Concessions and Community Support (Cllr. G.B. Lyon) introduced the Report
of the Cabinet meeting held on 9th January, 2018 which
recommended approval of changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme and Council
Tax Discounts for adoption with effect from 1st April, 2018. It was MOVED by Cllr. G.B. Lyon; SECONDED by
Cllr. M.J. Tennant - That
(i)
the
following changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for working age claimants
be agreed for adoption with effect from 1st April, 2018:
(a)
to increase the current 10% minimum contribution (90%
discount) for those of working age to 12% minimum contribution (88% discount)
for 2018/19
(b)
to exclude bereavement support payments from the
calculation of Council Tax Support from 2018/19
(c)
to limit the number of dependent children to two when
calculating Council Tax Support from 2018/19; and
(i)
the
following changes to Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions be agreed for
adoption with effect from 1st April 2018:
(a)
to
change the level of discount given for homes that are empty due to undergoing
major repairs or structural alterations from 50% discount for 12 months to 50%
discount for six months;
(b)
to change the level of discount given
for homes that are unoccupied and unfurnished from 100% discount for three months
to 100% discount for two months.
During discussion, it was MOVED by Cllr.
A.H. Crawford and SECONDED by Cllr. Jennifer Evans - That recommendation 8.1
(a) (I) be deleted.
Speaking in support of his proposed amendment,
Cllr. Crawford was of the opinion that there were deficiencies in the
consultation exercise and cited examples.
He was of the opinion that, of the 142 comments that the 425 respondents
made on the Council Tax part of the consultation, 89 (63%) were opposed to the
options given, which included increases to 12% and 15%. With 89 comments being the majority, he was
of the opinion that this meant that the Council should seriously consider his
amendment – meaning no increase from 10%.
Cllr. Crawford pointed out that the Hardship Fund had paid out over
£10,000 during the previous financial year and that, in the first nine months
of the current financial year, the Hardship Fund had paid out £8,500, which was
a higher amount than had been reported to the Welfare Reform Group. He drew attention to the £6,467 saving that
the Cabinet was requesting, but stated that this was at a cost to the poorest
working age residents of £52,184. Cllr.
Crawford further reported that many other local authorities in Hampshire did
not have a minimum percentage payment, which he felt was unfair to the poorest
residents in Rushmoor.
In seconding the amendment, Cllr. Evans
questioned how those affected would be able to afford the increase in
contribution and what sacrifices would have to be made
in order to be able to make the increased payments. Cllr. Evans referred to other effects of the
increased contribution, for example affecting people’s health with stress about
debt.
In debating the proposed amendment, some
Members reflected on the effect on residents of the increased
contribution. However, others commented on
the minimum contributions paid by residents of neighbouring authorities and how
favourably Rushmoor compared with those. The proposed amendment was put to the meeting.
There voted FOR: 11; AGAINST: 23 and the
amendment was DECLARED LOST.
During debate on the original Motion,
Members commented on the need to be aware of the Borough’s most vulnerable
residents and the existence of the Hardship Fund for those most in need of
assistance. It was
pointed out that the implementation of the proposed increased
contribution would be monitored.
Following further debate, the
Recommendations were put to the meeting. On a recorded vote, there
voted FOR: Cllrs. Diane Bedford, J.B. Canty, Sue
Carter, M.S. Choudhary, D.E. Clifford, R.M. Cooper, Liz Corps, P.I.C. Crerar,
R.L.G. Dibbs, D.S. Gladstone, Barbara Hurst, A. Jackman, G.B. Lyon, J.H. Marsh,
Marina Munro, K.H. Muschamp, A.R. Newell, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, P.G.
Taylor, M.J. Tennant, B.A. Thomas and J.E. Woolley (23); AGAINST: Cllrs. D.M.T. Bell, T.D. Bridgeman, A.H.
Crawford, Keith Dibble, Jennifer Evans, C.P. Grattan, B. Jones, J.J. Preece,
M.J. Roberts, P.F. Rust and L.A. Taylor (11); ABSTAINED: The Mayor (Cllr. Sophia Choudhary) and Deputy
Mayor (Cllr. S.J. Masterson (2) and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.
Supporting documents: