The Overview Scrutiny Committee of Gravesham Borough Council met on 18 September 2025, and agreed to pre-scrutinise a report on the proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, and also discussed two called-in items relating to the Development of Land at Milton Place and The Charter project. The committee agreed that officers should note the points raised by members during the discussions.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026/27

The committee discussed a report detailing proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTR) set to take effect from 1 April 2026. Andrew Wilcock, Head of Revenue and Benefits, presented the report, highlighting that the council currently operates two schemes: a national scheme for low-income pensioner households offering up to 100% council tax support, and a local scheme for low-income working-age households offering up to 80% support.

The key proposals under consideration were:

• Increasing the maximum level of support: To increase the maximum level of support for working-age households from 80% to 100%, meaning those in the lowest income band would no longer be required to pay council tax.
• Adjusting band rates: To increase the rates for bands two and three.
• Disregarding lump-sum compensation payments: To disregard lump-sum compensation payments, such as Grenfell payments and Post Office Horizon payments, in line with national benefit regulations.

The proposals aim to provide more protection for the lowest-income households, simplify the system, and reduce administration costs. The current scheme costs approximately £4.9 million, and the proposed changes would add an estimated £1 million to that figure, with the majority of the cost falling to Kent County Council (KCC).

Members raised questions and concerns, and the Director (Corporate Services), the Assistant Director (Corporate Services), and the Head of Revenues and Benefits responded:

• Officers noted recommendations from members to engage with the Salvation Army and the Sikh Temple.
• KCC withdrew incentive payments from 1 April 2025, and the Cabinet considered the issue on 16 December 2024. The recommendations from that report advised that if KCC removed the council tax incentive funding for 2025/26, members should endorse the action to reflect an additional loss on collection. Members were also asked to note the future implications should there be a continued withdrawal of council tax incentive funding for 2026/27. It was also recommended that the working age maximum council tax reduction award increased from 80% to 100%.
• In 2022, the council undertook a significant change with the council tax reduction scheme to bring in a banded scheme. The consultation that supported this change had proven to be positive with over 500 responses, and this was achieved by reaching out to third sector and writing to a randomised selection of claimants and nonclaimants to achieve a balanced view. It was intended for similar outreach to be done as part of this consultation.
• The increase in collection would also be for the collection of those in receipt of council tax reduction in the past but have arrears. The amount that can be paid against council tax from benefits was set at £20 per month, but council tax payments could be accruing at a faster rate than it can be cleared. The proposal helps to draw a line under this to help make longer term arrangements for those debts so residents can be better assisted.
• Reduced administration meant that additional resources could be given to the collection from those who won't pay.
• The additional cost of the scheme would be shared across major preceptors. The majority of council tax collected was handed over to KCC. Likewise, with the £1m, the majority of that cost would fall to KCC, approximately within the region of £770,000.
• Officers were working with the council's Communications Team to draw up the campaign – material could be shared with members for circulation.
• The administration costs and savings were seen through the volume of document reminders that were issued. 2,000 more had been issued this year in comparison to the last. However, final figures could not be quantified at this stage.
• There were various councils across Kent out for consultation on similar proposed changes to their working age CTR Schemes.
• The randomised selection of claimants for the consultation in 2022 was achieved by a random number being generated for each account and the first 500 numbers identified being picked.
• The communications cost for the consultation was from an existing budget and was approximately £4,000-£5,000.
• The council tax reduction scheme was reviewed annually, but only when there were significant changes was there a requirement to go out to consultation. This proposal was deemed to be a significant change.

Cllr Jordan Meade, Chair of the Overview Scrutiny Committee, suggested that the members look at how they can reach out to the wider community. The committee noted the report.

Call In – The Charter (Part B)

The Overview Scrutiny Committee considered and discussed the Part B information relating to The Charter project. Peter Langly-Smith, Reef + Partners, delivered a presentation to the Committee on The Charter project and responded to questions raised by committee members, before leaving the meeting. The Director (Environment) and the Director (Corporate Services) provided the committee with further confidential information. The committee noted the report and asked that officers note the points raised by members.

Call In – Item 15: Development of Land at Milton Place (Part B)

The Overview Scrutiny Committee considered and discussed the Part B information relating to the development of land at Milton Place. The Director (Environment), the Director (Corporate Services) and Assistant Director (Corporate Services) provided the committee with further confidential information. The committee noted the report on the basis that the officers give due consideration to the points raised.