Issue - meetings

The Revenues & Benefits Service collects Council Tax, Business Rates and administers claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. Whilst much of the service is prescribed there is some local discretion. This report sets out the final set of policies where local discretion exists that need to be in place for Vesting day. The policies are required to ensure that a fair and consistent approach is taken for decision making across the Council’s area, and to ensure the correct legal framework is in place.

RESOLVED:  That Shadow Executive agrees 1. To recommend to the Shadow Authority that effective from 1 April 2020, 100% of all income from War Disablement or War Widows Pension be disregarded when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit in line with the resolution at Appendix A 2. To adopt the Discretionary Housing Payments & Discretionary Award Policy set out at Appendix B & B(ii) 3. To adopt the attached Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy at Appendix C 4. To adopt the Business Rates Revaluation Support Scheme set out at Appendix D 5. To adopt the Business Rates Hardship Relief Policy set out at Appendix E 6. To adopt the Local Business Rates Discretionary Relief Policy set out at Appendix F.

Cllr Wood, Mr Ambrose, Section 151 Officer and Mr A Green Revenues and Benefits Service Manager provided an introduction to the item.  An overview was given of the scheme as an amalgamation of the existing policies used by the district councils to ensure safe and legal operations as of 1 April 2020.  It was highlighted that the first two recommendations as laid out in the report were the most significant.  The recommendations were explained in detail for context and the following points were highlighted in response to questions raised by members:

• Housing benefits would be automatically calculated on 1April 2020 and residents in receipt of the benefit would be notified of their calculation for the financial year.
• Funding for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) was provided from central government and dispersed via local government.  The agreement of the updated policy would have no effect on the application or allocation process for residents.
• The policy around Business Relief had taken into consideration changes to the national government policy.  All elements listed within the policy would be in addition to these changes.
• The introduction of Local Access Points would promote the various benefit schemes available to residents and how they could be accessed.  The information around available schemes was also made known to the public via information bills. 
• The council tax discretionary policy was reviewed on a case by case basis by officers.
• It was unknown how much funding for DHPs would be allocated in the next financial year.  The aim of officers was to delegate the full amount of allocated funding.

RESOLVED: Shadow Executive AGREED:

1. To recommend to the Shadow Authority that effective from 1 April 2020, 100% of all income from War Disablement or War Widows Pension be disregarded when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit in line with the resolution at Appendix A.
2. To adopt the Discretionary Housing Payments & Discretionary Award Policy set out at Appendix B & B(ii).
3. To adopt the attached Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy at Appendix C.
4. To adopt the Business Rates Revaluation Support Scheme set out at Appendix D.
5. To adopt the Business Rates Hardship Relief Policy set out at Appendix E.
6. To adopt the Local Business Rates Discretionary Relief Policy set out at Appendix F.