Purpose

To review the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for 2025-26

Decision

RESOLVED that:

1)     the annual review of the LCTRS scheme for the 2025-26 year with no changes to the contribution level be approved.

2)     the following amendment to the LCTRS scheme be approved: DWP passported benefit status for LCTRS assessments will be disregarded where the Local Authority is satisfied that the LCTRS assessment is incorrect because of information obtained by the Local Authority fraud investigation team.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that the principle of everyone making at least a small contribution towards their Council Tax charge is maintained.

To maintain a level of Council Tax income to continue to provide funding for services at district and county level.

There is other support available for those on low incomes and impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and those affected should also be signposted to maximise benefit take-up, reviewing discounts and exemptions and providing Exceptional Hardship Payments where there is a need.

To ensure the accurate re-assessment of LCTRS entitlement following a fraud investigation.

Alternative options considered

1)     That Cabinet considers and approves the annual review of the LCTRS scheme for the 2025-26 year with no changes to the contribution level. And that Cabinet considers and approves the following amendment to the LCTRS scheme: DWP passported benefit status for LCTRS assessments will be disregarded where the Local Authority is satisfied that the LCTRS assessment is incorrect because of information obtained by the Local Authority fraud investigation team.

2)     Do nothing.

3)     Propose changes to the LCTRS scheme and undertake public consultation on the changes.