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Society of District Council Treasurers

Society of District Council Treasurers. What next for Local Council Tax Support Schemes Sandra Cowley, Stroud District Council & Paul Cresswell, Ryedale District Council. Over the next 15 mins. What we know so far about Year 1 SDCT survey results 2014/15 Schemes Parish & Town Councils

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Society of District Council Treasurers

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  1. Society of District Council Treasurers What next for Local Council Tax Support Schemes Sandra Cowley, Stroud District Council & Paul Cresswell, Ryedale District Council

  2. Over the next 15 mins..... • What we know so far about Year 1 • SDCT survey results • 2014/15 Schemes • Parish & Town Councils • Review of Scheme in Year 3 • What can we do to help?

  3. What we know so far... • We said it couldn’t be done...then did it! • Gloom and doom predictions • Software ready in the nick of time • Only 7 Councils had default scheme imposed upon them • Collections rates just about holding up so far (generally)

  4. What else we know...... • Generally – caseload & costs are lower. • Where support reduced, more bills, more arrears and more court activity • But generally, so far, not as bad as/no worse than anticipated • Too early to really understand the impact fully • Bedroom Tax buried the story

  5. SDCT Survey Results • 113/201 district councils responded (56%) • Over £1bn support given to over 1m claimants by district councils nationally • 74% qualified for Transitional Grant • Protected pensioners over 50% making cut to working age 20%...and many higher! • 10/113 schemes with cuts to support >20% • 4/113 schemes with cuts to support > 30%

  6. SDCT Survey Results • Majority (71%) used CTax exemptions & discounts to fully/partially fund additional cost • Only 2/113 made cuts to services • Reduction in collection rates is as expected • 25% finding collection easier than expected • 6% finding collection more difficult • Q1 skewed as some small bills paid in full • Repeat survey next year?

  7. 2014/15 Schemes • Survey – 61% unlikely to change • DCLG – 2/3rd looking to change • Many want to assess full year impact before further changes (12 instalment impact)

  8. Future Scheme Funding • 60% of funding for scheme is in RSG • Funding for scheme can no longer be separately identified • Further 1% funding cut in 2014/15 • Further 10-15% funding cut in 2015/16 • Parish share of funding removed from spending level....but same amount as in 2013/14 (according to DCLG!)

  9. Parish & Town Councils • What a b!**#y mess! • 97% of funding paid...using a range of methodologies • More not paying/reducing payment in 2014/15 but many undecided • The funding IS less in 14/15 and beyond • May be parish referendums in 2014/15?

  10. Looking Ahead • Review ‘within’ 3 years, needs to include 3rd year • More of the same • Higher %age LCTS reduction • Lower discounts • More Radical Change/Local Decision making • Continue to protect all Pensioners? • Lower Single Persons Discount? • Discount Scheme? • Another Band (or two?) • Revaluation

  11. Society of District Council Treasurers Thank you Any Questions? Contact details: sandra.cowley@stroud.gov.uk paul.cresswell@ryedale.gov.uk

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