Agenda item

The Committee received a report provided an update on the performance of the Council’s Revenue and Benefits Team for the first six months of the financial year, covering the period 1^st April 2021 to 30^th September 2021. The Benefits and Business Support Manager, Rob Thompson attended the meeting and provided additional information to the meeting.

Councillor Anne Lee addressed the meeting and spoke in relation the recent incorrectly issued Council Tax summonses and requested clarification on the exact number of these, the costs involved and whether residents affected would receive written confirmation including an apology for the error.

Members noted the collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates for the period and heard that Council Tax recovery action for non-payment had been put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic, recommencing in May 2021 with the issuing of reminders and final notices, prior to a total of 13,974 summonses for non-payment. The recovery process, from issuing of initial Council Tax demands through to the granting of liability orders by the Magistrates’ Court, was detailed to the meeting.

In light of the recent issues affecting Council Tax, notably whereby a number of summonses had been incorrectly issued, the Chair, Cllr Mark Pengelly requested the convening of an informal meeting with representatives from the Committee along with relevant officers. This informal meeting would receive information as to the processes involved, with a view to reporting back its findings to the full Committee at a later date.

Details of the work of the Social Inclusion Team in assisting those in need of money and debt advice was outlined and the meeting was provided with details of the national debt respite scheme “Breathing Space”. It was noted that take-up for this scheme had been low, with the Council only receiving five applications to date.

Members asked questions in relation to Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which provided the Council with discretionary powers to reduce Council Tax liabilities to help mitigate any unforeseen or exceptional hardship circumstances that threatened taxpayers’ ability to pay their Council Tax or to remain in their homes. It was noted that 89 applications had been received to date with 40 processed to date and one awarded, with awards following a specific set of qualifying criteria. Unsuccessful applicants had been offered additional support to assist them with managing their finances, in particular that they were able to claim the applicable benefits available to them as well as receiving money management advice.

In response to a query from members, the meeting heard that cessation of the £20 Universal Credit uplift would not impact on Housing Benefit claims but may increase pressure on Discretionary Housing Payment applications.

RESOLVED   that:

i)              the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee noted and commented on the Revenue and Benefits performance data for the first six months of 2021/22 as above; and

ii)             An informal Council Tax Summons Process Sub-Group be convened to examine the recent issue regarding Council Tax summonses