Issue - meetings

Finance and Resources

To consider the Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the Council Tax Support scheme for 2023/24, as shown in the Annex to the report, be approved.

2.  That the Head of Finance and Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Scheme that are required by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations 2023 when they are confirmed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

3.  In the event that any new government initiatives are introduced relating to the cost of living crisis that results in receipt of a grant or an increase in Universal Credit or other government benefits, that the Head of Finance and Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to disregard these awards as income.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which presented the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.

The Council is required to have a Council Tax Support scheme to assist residents with their liability to pay Council Tax. Given the ongoing cost of living crisis and financial uncertainty for many families no significant changes were proposed to Test Valley Borough Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme for the forthcoming 2023/24 financial year.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed to the following:

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the Council Tax Support scheme for 2023/24, as shown in the Annex to the report, be approved.

2.  That the Head of Finance and Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Scheme that are required by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations 2023 when they are confirmed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

3.  In the event that any new government initiatives are introduced relating to the cost of living crisis that results in receipt of a grant or an increase in Universal Credit or other government benefits, that the Head of Finance and Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to disregard these awards as income.