Issue - meetings

To seek approval of the Working Age Council Tax Reduction Scheme (WACTR) for 2026/2027.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     RECOMMENDS to Council that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (attached as Appendix A) is adopted for the year 2026-27 with the income amounts uprated in line with annual uprating of welfare awards which are usually confirmed before the end of this calendar year.

2.     RECOMMENDS to Council that delegated authority is given to the Council Tax Lead Officer to amend the income bands within the scheme to align with the uprated amounts, once confirmed by Government

The reasons for the decision are included within the Report, along with alternative options considered (8.1).

The Executive considered the report which provided an update to Members on the operation of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and sought support for the continuation of the scheme for year 2026-27. The report proposed no change to the current working age Council Tax Reduction Scheme (WACTR) itself but highlighted the need to uplift the income thresholds within the bands to reflect any annual uprating in welfare awards or make allowances to disregard increases above the rate of inflation. 

The report included appendices containing the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025/26, the Discretionary Discount and Exceptional Hardship Relief Policy, Exceptional Hardship information and an Equality Impact Assessment. 

Councillor Parrott introduced the report, the rationale behind the report and the recommendations, highlighting the Council’s continued up to 100% support scheme as leading policy in Devon and other Local Authorities.

Councillor Keeling spoke in support of the scheme as a priority for the administration despite the challenges to the Council’s Budget and that it provided support for those who needed it. Councillor G Taylor spoke to this item in support of the recommendations.  

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Parrott and SECONDED by Councillor Keeling and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     RECOMMENDS to Council that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (attached as Appendix A) is adopted for the year 2026-27 with the income amounts uprated in line with annual uprating of welfare awards which are usually confirmed before the end of this calendar year.

2.     RECOMMENDS to Council that delegated authority is given to the Council Tax Lead Officer to amend the income bands within the scheme to align with the uprated amounts, once confirmed by Government

The reasons for the decision are included within the Report, along with alternative options considered (8.1).