This report seeks approval to introduce a new income banded Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1 April 2020 to reduce the administrative burden place on the Council by the introduction of Universal Credit and to replace the existing risk based verification policy with a localised verification working practice.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Cabinet that the new banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme is adopted with effect from 1 April 2020 and the existing risk based verification policy is withdrawn and replaced with a new localised verification working practice.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme from 1 April 2020.  The report recommended the introduction of a new income banded Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1 April 2020 to reduce the administrative burden placed on the Council by the introduction of Universal Credit and the replacement of the existing risk based verification policy with a localised verification working practice.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act.  For each financial year the billing authority must consider whether to revise its Council Tax Reduction scheme or replace it with another. Any revision or replacement scheme must be made no later than 11 March in the financial year preceding that year for which the revision or replacement scheme is to be effective.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the new banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be adopted with effect from 1 April 2020; and

(2)     the existing risk based verification policy be withdrawn and replaced with a new localised verification working practice.