Decision details

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, debate, and amendment of the written recommendations the Executive resolved to:

1.    Agree and recommend that Full Council approve the increase to income band thresholds by the September 2024 CPI rate of 1.7% in line with the percentage increase to state benefits as implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 

2.    The Leader of Council to write to the Minister for Local Government to explore the case for Somerset Council’s Council Tax to be raised by more than the referendum limit, due to Exceptional Financial Support, low Council Tax base and rate, increasing demand, and taking into account Government’s requirement that plans be in place to protect vulnerable people.

3.    Agree and recommend that Full Council approve the CTR and associated EH scheme for 2025/26 as set out in this paper except for the reduction in back dating a CTR claim to 3 calendar months.

4.    Ask Officers to urgently investigate and report back on the potential to use an element of the Household Support Fund to support those who may be affected by future changes to CTRS thresholds.