Issue details

The purpose of the report was to commence consultation for a localised council tax support scheme for the financial year 2016/17. There was a statutory requirement for the Council to set a localised council tax support scheme by 31 January 2016 and this formed part of the formal budget process under the Budget and Policy framework.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

1.  To approve consultation on Peterborough’s council tax support scheme 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017 that contains the following local components:

a)  No change to the existing scheme reduction of 30% for all eligible working age claimants;

b)  Align the council tax support scheme to Housing Benefit rules making it less complicated for claimants, namely to:

       i.       Limit backdating of council tax support to one month

      ii.       Removes family premiums from all new claimants, or existing claimants who would otherwise have had a new entitlement to the premium, with effect from 1 May 2016.

2.  To approve consultation on introducing a council tax discretionary hardship policy with effect from 1 April 2016.

3.  To note the possible impact on government tax credit changes on Peterborough’s council tax support scheme from 1 April 2016.

4.  To note further changes that will need to be considered for Peterborough’s council tax support scheme from April 2017.