Issue - meetings

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to report

RESOLVED:

2.1     That creating a class of council tax charge payers for the purposes of awarding an exemption to their council tax to be known as “Downsizers” be agreed.

2.2     That the definition of a Downsizer as a tenant who was living in a larger property over which LBI has nomination rights who has completed an under-occupation transfer to a smaller property over which LBI has nomination rights be agreed.

2.3     That this class of charge payers will be awarded a local council tax relief, by way of a discount, if during the transition from the larger to the smaller property the Downsizer becomes liable for council tax at both properties for an overlapping period be agreed.  That the discount will be applied in a way that will reduce the Downsizer’s council tax bill on any unoccupied property during the overlap to nil be agreed.     

2.4     That this class of reduction will be applied in accordance with the Downsizers Dual Charge Relief Scheme which is contained in Appendix 1 of this report be agreed.

2.5     That Downsizers Dual Charge Relief will be available from the date the scheme is agreed and can be applied to any qualifying period from the 2019/20 financial year onwards be agreed.

Reason for decision – to remove an obstacle to residents moving to smaller accommodation and releasing their original accommodation to house families on the Housing Register.

Other options considered – none other than as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.