The Head of Revenues and Benefits presented the report which set out a proposed revision to the existing Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme, the results of the resident consultation and the Equality Impact Assessment. Members were asked to consider the information detailed and make recommendations for the CTR scheme to be adopted by Council for 2018/19, and implemented with effect from 1 April 2018.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Council that

a)     the outcome of the public consultation, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be considered and noted;

b)     Members have due regard to their responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty and consider the potential impacts of the proposed change on working age claimants with the protected characteristics of disability, age and sex, as set out in the Equality Impact Assessment in Appendix B to the report; and

c)   it is approved that the current CTR scheme is amended as follows and adopted to take effect from 1 April 2018:

i)  That a self-employed applicant and/or his/her self-employed partner who is in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment (standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component) or Disability Living Allowance (middle or high rate of the care component) or Armed Forces Independence Payments be made exempt from the Minimum Income Floor.