Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Head of Shared Service  (report published on 6.4.22)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Shared Services that sought approval to implement a Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme, following the recent introduction by Government of a package of support measures to offer help with rising energy bills, worth £9.1b nationally in 2022/23. The Council is tasked with implementing both a statutory and discretionary rebate as part of the new scheme, following the latest Government guidance and details of the Discretionary Energy Rebate Scheme and how it will work in practice can be found under Appendix A to the report.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

In response to the energy crisis the Government has allocated funds to local Councils to support households financially in the form of Council Tax Energy Rebates awarded to those that meet the statutory criteria. At the same time the Government has allocated funds to local Councils to determine a discretionary scheme in support those households that don’t necessarily meet the statutory criterial, or to provide a top-up in existing statutory support.

Option 1 – Agree to the proposal as recommended

The Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme sets out a formal approach to awarding relief and follows government guidance to determine eligibility under both the statutory and discretionary schemes. The approach adopted seeks to maximise use of funds to support the most vulnerable households in an open and equitable way given the limited funds available.

Option 2 – Refuse to access government funds on behalf of vulnerable households

Whilst the statutory scheme would be administered as instructed the Council would not access the Discretionary Fund and no relief would be awarded under that scheme. Subsequently, vulnerable households that do not meet the statutory scheme criteria would not receive much needed support towards their energy bills.

It is recommended that Option 1 be approved. The scheme enables a formal approach to eligibility, with criteria in line with Council priorities, offering financial support in the form of an energy rebate to those households that are considered vulnerable in relation to the rise in energy costs.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Heath:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)       That Cabinet approves the Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme, including the discretionary scheme principles as set out under Appendix A to the report; and

(2)       That Cabinet authorises the S151 Officer to make final amendments to the scheme to accommodate evolving guidance and any technical issues in relation to the scheme and to make all other necessary arrangements for its implementation with immediate effect.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Director of Corporate Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The scheme principles are in line with Council priorities, with the fund:

· supporting households at a difficult time as they struggle to pay energy bills

· helping to build a sustainable and just local economy for residents and communities.

The scheme principles are considered a good use of limited discretionary funds to achieve the greatest benefit for a range of vulnerable households suffering financial hardship in relation to the energy crisis.