Issue - meetings

(a)       That the consultation be noted;

(b)       That the recommended responses, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be endorsed; and

(c)        That the above endorsement be reported verbally to Cabinet on 18 February 2014.

The Revenues & Benefits Manager introduced the report on Welsh Government (WG) consultation to seek views on the review of options for the future of Council Tax support in Wales, with recommended responses to the consultation appended to the report for consideration.

Although funding had been made available from WG for the Council Tax support system, this would only provide a reduced level of support to those previously in receipt of Council Tax benefit and would not be sustainable to support future rises in Council Tax.  It was noted that Flintshire currently paid £10.2m in Council Tax support to households.  The Revenues & Benefits Manager explained the aim for one scheme across Wales and pointed out that in England, individual schemes developed by each Council had prompted legal issues.  He gave an overview of the options put forward by WG for Councils in Wales to agree on a scheme for reduced entitlement that was sustainable and adaptable whilst providing a level of protection for vulnerable households.

Following comments from Councillor Paul Shotton on collaborative working, the Revenues & Benefits Manager explained that the consultation was based on the sustainability of the scheme currently in place which had been developed by WG.  The projected cost to the Council for supporting the scheme in 2014/15 was £633K.

Following concerns raised by Councillor Arnold Woolley about the Council’s lack of control on a national scheme, the Revenues & Benefits Manager acknowledged that this was a challenging situation and that a ‘postcode lottery’ should be avoided.  The Chief Executive said that although there may be agreement on the principles of the scheme, the issue was about funding responsibility.

The Chair proposed that the Committee accept the three recommendations of the report and on being put to the vote, this was carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the consultation be noted;

(b)       That the recommended responses, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be endorsed; and

(c)        That the above endorsement be reported verbally to Cabinet on 18 February 2014.