To review the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme and address the requirement to recommend to Council the approach to Local Council Tax Support for 2018/19. 

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year (2018/19) with no changes being proposed.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2018/19.  It was proposed that the current scheme be readopted with no changes.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing explained that consideration would be given to a support package for care leavers to help them pay their Council Tax.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to endorse the Central Bedfordshire Council Local Council Tax Support Scheme.  If the Scheme was not approved by 31 January 2018, the Council would have to award Local Council Tax Support in accordance with the Government’s default Scheme which would result in the cost of the Scheme significantly exceeding that of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year (2018/19) with no changes being proposed.