Enclosed is the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer.

To approve the proposal to reduce the liability of a liable person for Council Tax under section 13 A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act for people receiving payments from the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer explained that the Council had the discretion to reduce Council Tax liability to people receiving payments from the government’s Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS). A report was considered that sought approval to use the Council’s discretion under section 13A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to reduce the Council Tax liabilities for these individuals. Without the exercise of that discretion by the Council the beneficiaries of the WCS could lose some or all entitlement to Council Tax Support because of the compensation they received from government. It was agreed that it would be appropriate for the Council to use its discretion in the circumstances described in the report.

It was noted that at a recent meeting the Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee had also considered the report and had endorsed its recommendations (Minute RGSC/19/46).

Decision

To approve the proposal to reduce the liability of a liable person for Council Tax under section 13 A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act for people receiving payments from the Windrush Compensation Scheme.