Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which:

                 (a)           sought approval to recommend to Council the continuation of the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for a further year into 2021/22, which would continue the protection afforded to all claimants in line with what their entitlement would have been under the former Council Tax Benefit system;

                 (b)           provided information on the current and forecasted expenditure in terms of the Government’s COVID-19 hardship fund;

                 (c)           sought approval for the allocation of the remaining COVID-19 hardship fund grant to continue to support vulnerable residents following consideration of the options and recommendations set out in the report;

                 (d)           sought approval of the updated Discretionary Council Tax Reduction (COVID-19) policy in line with agreement on the allocation of the remaining COVID-19 hardship grant fund.

(for copy see file of minutes).

Moving the report, Councillor Napier, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, commented that the protection of the scheme had enabled additional support to be provided to vulnerable residents, throughout the pandemic, including the reduction of a further £300 to eligible residents’ council tax bills this financial year, and, it is proposed to apply an additional £100 of council tax support next year.  These measures, together with the Welfare Support Scheme, will ensure the Council continues to provide as much support as possible to local residents. 

The Chair, Councillor Henig, Leader of the Council, highlighted Durham County Council is one of a small minority of councils to continue to offer the same level of support to all claimants, as was available under the former Council Tax Benefit scheme.  Furthermore, Durham’s performance in the Council Tax collection rate is stronger than any other north east council since the changes were introduced. 

Councillor Surtees, Portfolio Holder for Social Inclusion, welcomed the continuation of the scheme, which she commented is timely, with many people facing financial hardship at this time.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.