Issue - meetings

At the Executive Meeting on Tuesday 6^th January 2026, the Executive recommended to Full Council that:

1.    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.    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 associated documents can be found at: Agenda for Executive on Tuesday 6th January 2026 - Teignbridge District Council

RESOLVED

1.     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.     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 Executive Member for Corporate and Finance gave an updated which included the following:

·     Confirmation of the originally proposed income bands following a review of central government decisions about welfare awards from 1.4.26

·     The impact of above CPI inflation increases to some welfare award elements.

·     The government’s decision to change the 2 child limit allowances.

·     Confirmation there are no changes to the proposed income bands at paragraph 6.5 of the agenda report.

·     In relation to paragraph 6.6 of the agenda report, the Council’s scheme has provisions for annual increases in line with CPI, however central government has announced changes that were above or beyond those provisions.

-        The 6.2% increase to the standard allowances of Universal Credit exceed the customary Consumer Price Index amounts

-        The abolition of the Universal Credit 2 child allowance limit.

·     With regards to paragraph 6.7, the effect of any band change which causes hardship will be mitigated by using the Exceptional Hardship scheme provisions.

·     The impact of the changes will be monitored and any public consultation for any changes to the scheme undertaken. There is insufficient time to make any changes to the scheme for the coming year. (Paragraph 6.8)

·     Referring to paragraph 6.9, the scheme has an in-built provision to incorporate the prescribed changes to pensioner claims which are set by Government. This is a statutory uplift.

In response to questions, the meeting was advised that the cost to the Council of the support and benefit was£920K, 8% of the total cost for Devon which was £10m.

The financial hardship scheme was supported, and it was proposed by Councillor Parrott, seconded by Councillor Keeling and,

RESOLVED

1.       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.       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