Decision details

To provide information on Council Tax Discretionary Discounts, the current policy criteria and the circumstances (with a statistical analysis) where the Council already need to write off Council Tax amounts.

(a)       That the Committee notes and supports the work undertaken to maximise collections of Council Tax, maximise the take-up of discounts and reductions, and help those who struggle to pay;

(b)       That the Committee notes and supports the circumstances where, in line with Cabinet policies, s13a discretionary discounts are already awarded and the limited circumstances and funds to waive or reduce Council Tax;

(c)       That the Committee endorses the exceptional circumstances where write offs are undertaken and which result in losses of income to fund public services; and

(d)       That Cabinet review and produce a comprehensive policy on s13a discretionary discounts, taking into account the comments raised and to consult with Overview & Scrutiny, scheduling a report back to this Committee at a future date.