(i) Considers the issues set out in this report and determines whether or not they wish to update the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme which is in place under S13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
(ii) Recommends that Full Council:
(a) Notes and considers the responses from the consultation process and the Equalities Impact Assessment as set out in paragraphs 7 to 13 and Appendix 1.
(b) Applies any changes resulting from an update of the Council Tax reduction scheme in respect of the “pensioners” element of the Scheme, to all persons who meet the current qualifying criteria which is that it is available to persons who are:-
a) liable to pay Council Tax either jointly of in their own right, by being an owner occupier or a tenant of a dwelling within Southampton, which is their sole or main residence;
b) aged 65 or over and all other residents of the household are 65 or over; and
c) not in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.
c) Applies any changes resulting from an update of the Council Tax reduction scheme in respect of the “Special Constable” element of the Scheme, to all persons who meet the current qualifying criteria which is that it is available to persons who are:-
(a) Special Constables: and
(c) reside in a property within Southampton where there is a liability for Council Tax and serve as a Special Constable within Southampton.
d) Updates the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme and reduces the level of reduction in respect of the “pensioners” element to zero.
e) Updates the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme and reduces the level of reduction in respect of the “Special Constable” element to zero.
f) Authorises the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to take any further action necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.