Decision details
Council Tax: 13A Hardship payments for 2020/21 (Emergency decision)
Decision Maker: Chief Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To seek approval (under the Chief Executive’s delegated emergency powers) to implement 13A Council Tax Hardship payments in accordance with Government guidance stipulating that authorities are to make hardship payments using their powers under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“1992 Act”).).
Decision:
That the Chief Executive, using Emergency Delegated Powers:
(i) Agrees to the amendment of the Council’s s12A(1)(c) policy to allow implementation of the £150 payment as set out in the Government Guidance.
(ii) Agrees that the Director of Finance and Strategic Director of Customer and Digital Services, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, implement the payments, by way of system adjustment.
(iii) Note that a further report will be presented to Cabinet to expand on the use of section 13A(1)(c) and other mechanisms to provide financial relief using the government funding provided to residents affected by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020/21 from any surplus funds from the grant.
Reasons for the decision:
As detailed within the accompanying report.
Alternative options considered:
As detailed in the accompanying report.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
None.
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Cabinet/Committee Decision or Scheme of Delegation: Chief Executives Emergency Delegated Powers
Parties Consulted: Schemes referred to in the accompanying report have come as part of the government’s urgent response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As such there has been no consultation as guidance has been issued by the government on how this scheme should be operated, and the government expects local authorities to implement it using its section 13A powers. There will be a further report to Cabinet on how best to extend the scheme to ensure the surplus government funding is fully utilised.
Urgent item?: Yes
Publication date: 28/05/2020
Date of decision: 28/05/2020
Accompanying Documents:
PDF 288 KB