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Cabinet received a report recommending
retention of the current council tax support scheme for next year
which for working aged claimants on maximum benefit paying just
8.5% of their council tax bill. 
 
Officers advised that the Council would need to consider whether to implement a scheme
in 2027/28 or wait until Local Government Reorganisation is
implemented in Hertfordshire depending on the
timetable.  The report detailed the very
different Council Tax Support Schemes adopted across the County
which could impact on residents once the new Unitary Authority was
in place.
 
Members were pleased to note that Elderly CTS
claimants were protected in law from any restriction to the
liability used in CTS calculations. Their awards would always be
based on 100% of the council tax charge.
 
It was RESOLVED:
 

1.   
That the current Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27 be
retained;

2.   
That the implementation of a Banded CTS scheme for 2027/28 be
supported;

3.   
That a policy Overview and Scrutiny meeting be held in line with
the review timetable to continue to consider a revised discount
scheme as a result of the ongoing
reduction in the number of Housing Benefit caseload due to the
transitioning to Universal Credit;

4.   
That the directive contained in the Social Security Administration
Act 1992 to disregard, in full, awards of War Widows, War
Disablement and Armed Forces Compensation when determining
entitlement for housing benefit and/or council tax support be
re-approved.