Issue - meetings

To receive the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and Consultation Responses 2019-20 report.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Administration introduced the report to the Committee, which outlined the LCTS scheme and the responses received to the public consultation. 

Members discussed the main elements of the scheme, specifically the protection afforded to vulnerable people in the District, as well as the proposed 100% premium applied to properties that had remained empty and unfurnished for two years or more. The Committee noted the results of those who responded to the questionnaire. 

In response to a member question, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Administration said there would come a point when finances dictated that the Council would have to consider raising the 12.5% contribution cap of working aged people in receipt of LCTS, but he hoped this would not occur whilst he was still a councillor.

Councillor Barker said there were two separate issues to address in this scheme. Whilst he supported the protection afforded to the most vulnerable people in the District, he felt conflicted regarding the 100% premium applied to empty properties as it was, in effect, a double taxation of people’s private property.

The Chairman took two separate votes on the scheme, the first relating to the 12.5% contribution cap; the second relating to the 100% empty home premium. Both motions were approved.

RESOLVED to recommend the final 2019/20 LCTS Scheme proposal to be presented to Cabinet.