Purpose

To report to the Committee following a Cabinet review and the production of a comprehensive policy on s13a discretionary discounts, taking into account the comments raised and consultation with Overview & Scrutiny.

Content

(a)     That, having considered the revised policy framework as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, the full feedback given by the Committee be presented to Cabinet and considered by officers, recommending a review of the policy in 12 months; and   (b)     That, subject to the revised policy being approved, the Committee supports the inclusion of an MTFS bid for a ring fenced annual budget provision of £15k from 2026/27, to fund the cost of future discretionary awards for cases that meet the criteria as set out in the revised policy framework.