No disclosures of interest were in matters under consideration were received.

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

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(Yusuf Patel - 01274 434579)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

The following referrals have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda.

The Committee is asked to note the referrals listed above and decide how it wishes to proceed, for example by incorporating the item into the work programme, requesting that it be subject to more detailed examination, or refer it to an appropriate Working Group/Committee.

No referrals had been received.

At its meeting held on 19 July 2017, this Committee considered a report on the options for the delivery of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Committee resolved that the comments raised by Members be considered in further modelling of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and that a further report be presented to this Committee in August 2017.

In response to the above resolution, the Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “F” – To Follow) which looks at options for responding to the challenges for the operation and delivery of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Recommended –

That the Committee consider the council tax support schemes presented in the report and express its views on the development and delivery of a future Council Tax Support arrangements for the Bradford District.

(Martin Stubbs - 01274 432056)

At its meeting held on 19 July 2017, this Committee considered a report on the options for the delivery of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Committee resolved that the comments raised by Members be considered in further modelling of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and that a further report be presented to this Committee in August 2017.

In response to the above resolution, the Strategic Director, Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “F”) which looked at options for responding to the challenges for the operation and delivery of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The Assistant Director, Revenues, Benefits and Payroll attended the meeting and gave a synopsis of the report.

Following presentation of the report, the Chair opened a session for questions and answers, as follows:

·         What was Calderdale and Kirklees Councils plans for 2017/18?

o   The two neighbouring Councils had not planned any changes to the existing arrangements, with the continuation of a maximum support of 80% to help support for the poorest families;

·         What Council Tax scheme was Leeds City Council planning to put into operation/or had rolled out in April 2017?

o   Since 1 April 2017, Leeds City Council had operated 2 Council Tax Support schemes for those of working age, (a) the Council Tax Support scheme which was the one that had operated since April 2013 and to a great degree mirrored the scheme currently operated in Bradford. The maximum entitlement was based on 75% of liability unless the claimant fell into one of the protected groups such as being severely disabled or a carer, in which case entitlement was based on 100% of liability and, (b) a new scheme, the Universal Credit and Council Tax Support scheme (UCCTS) had been introduced from April 2017. This scheme was for those who received Universal Credit, people claiming for the 1^st time and receiving UC would be assessed on this scheme, and existing claimants would migrate to it when they moved onto UC.

·         Was Bradford Council considering the administration of a similar scheme to neighbouring authorities?

o   The service took into consideration the most vulnerable of the district during the consideration of Council Tax for 2018/19 and disabled groups would be better off on a Universal Credit Scheme. The Council planned to commence with all new claims for Universal Credit and therefore the receipt of further cases;

·         How did Bradford’s scheme compare to Leeds?

o   Leeds acknowledged the support of the district’s citizens and communities to the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support scheme as presented as part of its review. The roll out of Universal Credit in Leeds was a paramount reason that needed to be taken into account when it looked at local schemes. Leeds was aware that many people in low-paid work with fluctuating earnings would see their monthly Universal Credit payment fluctuate and, as things stand, this would lead to monthly changes to Council Tax Support with further implications for Council Tax payment dates and liability orders;

·         What  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.