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Council Tax and Benefits From April 2013

Council Tax and Benefits From April 2013. Background. Consultation. The public consultation lasted 12 weeks and consulted on two proposals Postal form, web form, Neighbourhood forums, meetings, telephone and e-mail. Preferred Scheme options. Abolish Backdated Payments.

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Council Tax and Benefits From April 2013

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  1. Council Tax and Benefits From April 2013

  2. Background

  3. Consultation The public consultation lasted 12 weeks and consulted on two proposals Postal form, web form, Neighbourhood forums, meetings, telephone and e-mail

  4. Preferred Scheme options Abolish Backdated Payments Abolish Second Adult Rebate Include Child Benefit in the calculation Protect DLA Middle / High rate Child Benefit - Children under 5 Increase non dependant deductions Restrict benefit to Property Band D Minimum benefit award of £5.00 per week Increase the income taper from 20% to 30% Change the charge for second homes Change the empty property discount

  5. Results of consultation – preferred scheme • Over 1000 responses received

  6. Council Tax Proposals

  7. Results of consultation – Second home discount

  8. Work incentives

  9. Results of consultation – Work incentive – Extended payments

  10. Council Meeting Summary 23.1.13 • Councillor Anstee presented the preferred scheme to full Council • Conservative group supported changes as provided least impact on households • Labour group oppose Welfare Reform changes • Lib dem group, concerned about the changes but support the scheme in the fact that there are protections and the majority of households not impacted • Full vote carried out and passed the scheme

  11. What does this mean? From 1/4/13 the following will take effect: • Preferred Council Tax Support scheme goes live • Extended Reductions will be increased to 8 weeks • Child care disregards will be increased by 10% • Second home discount removed • Empty and Unfurnished properties will be charged the full Council Tax after 1 month • In addition properties which are empty and unfurnished for over 2 years will be charged a 150%

  12. Example of households affectedOver a year (3339 for 2012-2013) Full Equalities impact breakdown available on the Council Website

  13. Communications • Press release available at: • http://www.trafford.gov.uk/news/press/details.asp?ID=2987 • Letters being issued to affected households (approx. 2500 letters) • Website being updated • Dedicated Benefits helpline available from 1st February 0161 9122090; Mon - Fri 8.00am to 7.00pm • Benefit Roadshows and drop in sessions arranged

  14. Communications

  15. Some schemes in AGMA Rochdale: • Restrict all working age claims to Band A, and applying a 25% cut to all net awards. This will achieve £3.6m of the £5m required. The rest of the savings will be made through changes to council tax discounts and exemptions. • In addition abolishing backdates, abolishing second adult rebate, doubling non-dep deductions (12/13 rates) and increasing income taper to 30% • Developing a discretionary fund – No other protections. • This scheme has received a legal challenge (according to HBINFO) Stockport: • CTS restricted to Band A for smaller households or Band B for larger households. Second Adult Rebate abolished. Non-depdeductions will be made at either £10 or £5 per week dependant on income. Support can only be claimed by people with less than £8000 capital or savings. • No backdates. The minimum weekly payment of support will be £1 per week. • Developing a discretionary fund.

  16. Future plans – Information and advice • Working with partners on the provision of information and advice • Working to ensure joined up approach in reaching households • Need more ideas on how this can be achieved.

  17. Over to you! Are there any questions?

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