Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the attached report from the Cabinet held on 10 November 2016 (recommendations attached post publication).

N.B. The verbatim comments made during the consultation (Appendix 1a Free Comments) can be viewed on the Portsmouth City Council website by using this link:

https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/documents-external/cou-cts-consultation-appendix1a-verbatim.pdf

Minute 56 - Council Tax Support Scheme (known nationally as Council Tax Reduction Scheme)

This was opposed.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Donna Jones

Seconded by Councillor Luke Stubbs

That

i.              The results of the public consultation on the Council Tax Scheme are noted.      

ii.            To implement a revised Council Tax Support Scheme for Portsmouth from 1st April 2017, with the following key features:

a)            To introduce a maximum level of support for all working age applicants to 80%

b)            To reduce the capital limit from the existing £16,000 to £6,000

c)            To restrict the maximum level of Council Tax Reduction payable to the equivalent of a Band C

d)            To set a minimum level of support at £2 per week

e)            *To bring the working age Council Tax Scheme in line with Housing Benefit changes proposed by Central Government

*note this feature will be implemented from 1^st April 2017 or whenever the relevant Government Statutory Instrument/Regulation is enacted 

iii.           A Hardship Fund of £250k to be provided for 2017/18, subject to annual review, to give support to households in financial difficulty due to a reduction in the Council Tax Support they receive.

Councillor Hugh Mason confirmed that no amendment was proposed but the minute was opposed in order to debate the matter.  Following debate upon the recommendations from Cabinet being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that

i.              The results of the public consultation on the Council Tax Scheme are noted.           

ii.            To implement a revised Council Tax Support Scheme for Portsmouth from 1st April 2017, with the following key features:

b)           To introduce a maximum level of support for all working age applicants to 80%

c)            To reduce the capital limit from the existing £16,000 to £6,000

d)           To restrict the maximum level of Council Tax Reduction payable to the equivalent of a Band C

e)            To set a minimum level of support at £2 per week

f)             *To bring the working age Council Tax Scheme in line with Housing Benefit changes proposed by Central Government

*note this feature will be implemented from 1^st April 2017 or whenever the relevant Government Statutory Instrument/Regulation is enacted 

iii.           A Hardship Fund of £250k to be provided for 2017/18, subject to annual review, to give support to households in financial difficulty due to a reduction in the Council Tax Support they receive.

Council adjourned at 5.00 pm. 

Council resumed at 5.15 pm.

The purpose of the report by the Director of Community & Communication is for Council to approve for implementation on 1st April 2017 Portsmouth City Council’s revised scheme for Council Tax Support and an associated Hardship Fund.

N.B. The verbatim comments made during the consultation (Appendix 1a Free Comments) can be viewed on the Portsmouth City Council website by using this link:

https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/documents-external/cou-cts-consultation-appendix1a-verbatim.pdf

RECOMMENDED to Council:

i.          The results of the public consultation on the Council Tax Scheme are noted.

ii.         To implement a revised Council Tax Support Scheme for Portsmouth from 1st April 2017, with the following key features:

a)        To introduce a maximum level of support for all working age applicants to 80%

b)        To reduce the capital limit from the existing £16,000 to £6,000

c)        To restrict the maximum level of Council Tax Reduction payable to the equivalent of a Band C

d)        To set a minimum level of support at £2 per week

e)        To bring the working age Council Tax Scheme in line with Housing Benefit changes proposed by Central Government

iii.        A Hardship Fund of £250k to be provided for 2017/18, subject to annual review, to give support to households in financial difficulty due to a reduction in the Council Tax Support they receive.