URL: https://moderngov.harrow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=63154

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To approve the Council’s revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26  

Content: To approve the Council’s revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26   Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)   That   (1)            the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support scheme as set out in the officer’s report to come into effect on 1 April 2025, that would take into account the consultation feedback and the potential likely impacts as set out in the officer’s report and Equality Impact Assessment.   [Call-in did not apply to the decision above as it was reserved to full Council.]   RESOLVED:  That   (2)            the consultation feedback attached to the officer’s report be noted.   (3)            paragraph 2.3 of the officer’s report regarding the transitional provisions and that a Hardship Fund Policy would be developed and brought to Cabinet for approval in March 2025 be noted.   Reason for Decision:  With financial pressures to close the substantial budget gap, the London Borough of Harrow must look to all options, this included reducing support for the Council Tax Scheme (CTS).  In compliance with legislation the Greater London Authority (the GLA) was consulted as a major precepting authority with a draft scheme published and stakeholders consulted (being those persons considered to have an interest in the operation of the scheme) on proposed changes to the scheme.  Feedback from the consultation was taken into consideration when making the decision on the recommendations of the proposed changes to be approved and adopted.   Statutorily the scheme must be agreed by 11 March 2025 for the new scheme to be implemented by the following financial year (2025/26) and to enable the Council to make the required savings of approximately £1.3m for the year 2025/26.  If these changes to the scheme were not agreed and the deadline was not met by the Council, the Council would be required to continue to deliver the current CTS scheme and alternative way to manage the budget gap would need to be found.   [Call-in did not apply to the resolutions above as it was a noting report].

Date of Decision: December 17, 2024