Agenda and minutes
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Discretionary Council Tax Discount This report seeks the approval of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance of the recommendation to refuse a discretionary council tax discount request.
Reporting Officer: Mandy Fathers ([email protected])
DATE OF DECISION: NO EARLIER THAN THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2022
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: NOON ON WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2022
Note: Any Member who wishes to comment on an item is requested to send those comments (preferably by e-mail) to the Reporting Officer, copied to Democratic Services, by the deadline identified.
Any comments received will be reported to the Decision-Maker prior to the decision(s) being taken.
Any member of the public who wishes to attend this meeting as an observer, please contact Democratic Services ([email protected])
Additional documents: Minutes: 1. Discretionary Council Tax Discount
The officer confirmed there were no comments received for this item.
The officer began by providing an overview of the application submitted on behalf of a resident in the Four Acres ward by a support worker from the P3 Charity.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that, at the time that the applicant had incurred the Council Tax liable, the Council was not always being advised when a person in receipt of Universal Credit.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that had the applicant’s support worker had helped the applicant to advise the Council of their Universal Credit status earlier the Council Tax Liability may not have been incurred
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted the Council’s policy states that once the Council is advised that a person is not liable for Council Tax this can be backdated for a maximum of 4 weeks.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that in addition to Agreeing and Refusing the recommendation completely, they could decide to award partial discretionary payment to reduce the amount of Council Tax outstanding.
Decision
The Cabinet Member considered the recommendations of the Officer and resolved not to accept the original recommendation of the officer to refuse the application, but AGREED to award 50% of the total outstanding amount of £560.42, minus payments of £108.04 already made by the applicant. This decision leaves an amount of £171.17 to be paid by the applicant.
Reason for Decision of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
The applicant was now in receipt of Universal Credit and 100% council tax support but had incurred Council Tax liability previously. This was due to neither the applicant nor their support worker advising that they may not have been liable for this due to their Universal Credit and this had left them at a disadvantage. It was also noted that the rising cost of living would potentially adversely affect the applicant. However, the decision to agree to 50%, recognised that the applicant had surplus income and had already managed to make repayments towards the original outstanding amount.
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Discretionary Council Tax Discount This report seeks the approval of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance of the recommendation to refuse a discretionary council tax discount request.
Reporting Officer: Mandy Fathers ([email protected])
DATE OF DECISION: NO EARLIER THAN THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2022
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: NOON ON WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2022
Note: Any Member who wishes to comment on an item is requested to send those comments (preferably by e-mail) to the Reporting Officer, copied to Democratic Services, by the deadline identified.
Any comments received will be reported to the Decision-Maker prior to the decision(s) being taken.
Any member of the public who wishes to attend this meeting as an observer, please contact Democratic Services ([email protected])
Additional documents: Minutes: 2. Discretionary Council Tax Discount
The officer confirmed there were no comments received for this item.
The officer began by providing an overview of the application from a resident in the Sandywell ward.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that one of the applicants was in paid employment and one was self-employed.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that the applicants were paying their Council Tax over 10 months but had the option to pay over 12 months to reduce their monthly payment.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that following assessment of the applicants income and expenditure, sufficient surplus income was being received to pay the required Council Tax payments
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance noted that the applicant’s income was too high for them to be entitled to Council Tax Support
Decision
The Cabinet Member considered the recommendations of the Officer and resolved to agree with the officer recommendation to REFUSE the application.
Reason for Decision of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
Whilst recognising the current hardship being experienced by the applicant, it was recognised that the recommendation to refuse the application was based on the officers fair assessment of the applicants circumstances within the current Council Tax Support scheme, and no ‘exceptional’ circumstances were identified that would enable it to be considered under the ‘exceptional hardship’ policy.
ACTION BY:
Mandy Fathers 01285 623571
Date of Publication: 4 November 2022 Closing Date for Call-In: 14 November 2022 (5.00pm) Action Embargoed until: 15 November 2022
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