Issue - meetings

To consider the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 report.

RESOLVED to:

1.    The 2019/20 LCTS scheme is set on the same basis as the 2018/19

scheme and therefore the contribution rate is frozen for the fifth

consecutive year.

2.    The Council continues to protect Vulnerable and Disabled Residents

and Carers on a low income.

3.     The empty homes premium is increased from 50% to 100% after 2

 years of non-occupancy.

Councillor Howell reported on the process for reviewing the Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme and the requirement to consult on the proposed scheme before submitting it to Council for approval in December. He said the scheme was important as over 3,000 of the most vulnerable people in the district claimed local council tax support, although he highlighted the downward trend in claimants in the past five years, as demonstrated in table 9 of the report.

The 2019/20 scheme was proposed to be set on the same basis as 2018/19 but a significant change was proposed to the empty homes premium, with an increase from 50% to 100% after two years of non-occupancy. There were exceptions to the premium, such as owners living in Armed Forces or job related accommodation, or annexes to a main residence. It was stated that 70 properties in the district would attract that premium and a dedicated member of staff was working directly with the owners to bring those properties back into use.

With the consent of the Chairman, Councillor Hargreaves asked a question relating to a property in Newport, which had remained unoccupied for twenty years.

Councillor Redfern said she knew of the property as it had been investigated by the Council. The owner paid council tax, and had said it would be occupied in the future. She said it could be brought back to the Council’s attention in six months’ time if it remained unoccupied. 

In response to a comment from Councillor Barker regarding empty homes, Councillor Redfern said empty homes needed to be reported. She asked Members to refer such cases to the Environmental Health team, who would bring these properties back into use.

In response to a Member question, the Assistant Director – Resources said the outcomes of the LCTS consultation would be circulated with the results of the wider budget consultation for 2019/20.

RESOLVED to agree the proposals for the 2019/20 LCTS scheme and consultation process as set out below:

a.    The 2019/20 LCTS scheme is set on the same basis as the 2018/19 scheme and therefore the contribution rate is frozen for the fifth consecutive year.

b.    The Council continues to protect Vulnerable and Disabled Residents and Carers on a low income.

c.    The empty homes premium is increased from 50% to 100% after 2 years of non-occupancy.