Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Finance which set out the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, and the Director of Finance presented the report.

Members were informed that there was a requirement to have a Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme to support residents who qualified for assistance in paying Council Tax. The Local Government Finance Act 2012 placed a requirement that each year a billing authority must consider whether to

revise its Council Tax Reduction scheme or to replace it with another scheme. Any change to the 2019/20 scheme must be agreed by full Council in line with budget setting and no later than 10 March 2019. For Oldham, this would require the Council to agree a revised 2019/20 scheme at the 27 February 2019 Council meeting.

Members asked for and received clarification in relation to information as to entitlement to Universal Credit being taken as an automatic application for a Council Tax Reduction.

RESOLVED that:

1.        The continuation to limit support to a maximum of 85% of Council Tax of a Band A property be agreed.

2.        The treatment of information received from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about Universal Credit entitlement as a claim for Council Tax Reduction be agreed.

3.        The application of earnings disregards for Universal Credit/Council Tax Reduction (UC/CTR) claims as set out below-

a.           Single claimant £5 per week

b.           Couple £10 per week

c.            Disabled/Carer £20 per week

d.           Lone Parent £25 per week

be agreed

4.        The incorporation of housing costs into the UC/CTR calculation be agreed.

5.        The application of disregards for Bereavement Support Allowance and post graduate master’s degree loan and special support payments in the assessment of Council Tax Reduction be agreed.