Decision details

To seek approval for a 2021/22 scheme of discretionary discounts to deliver relief to council taxpayers in the Borough of Gedling devised with reference to the Council Tax, Covid-19 Hardship Fund 2020/21 guidance issued by the Government;

To approve:
(a)the Council’s 2021/22 scheme of discretionary discounts to deliver relief to council tax payers in the Borough of Gedling as detailed in the report at paragraph 2.1 and devised with reference to the Council Tax, Covid-19 Hardship Fund 2020/21 guidance issued by the Government;
(b)The establishment, by virement, of a Council Tax Discretionary Hardship Fund budget of £112,000 to be funded by a contribution from the Earmarked Government Grant Reserve;
(c)The delegation to the Director responsible for Housing and Welfare Support Services the authority to determine applications for discretionary reduction in council tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to the Council Tax, Covid-19 Hardship Fund discretionary discount scheme in the Borough of Gedling in line with the scheme outlined in this report.

The Council is expected by Government to use its discretionary powers and provide council tax reliefs in line with the guidance it has published to be funded by the grant allocation provided.

There is a strong expectation from government that support is provided for council taxpayers by a reduction in the council tax bill. An alternative to the proposed scheme could be to adopt an alternative local support scheme outside of the council tax system. This may not benefit those experiencing immediate financial difficulties in paying their council tax liability which is the primary purpose of the grant funding.