Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Issue - meetings

Meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet (Item 71)

71 MCa/19/33 COUNCIL TAX - CITIZENS ADVICE COLLECTION PROTOCOL pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Cabinet Member for Finance

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1     That the adoption of the Citizen Advice Council Tax Protocol detailed at Appendix (a) of the report be approved.

 

Reason for Decision:The protocol reflects best practice at a local level and is intended to facilitate regular liaison with the Council, its Enforcement Agents and Citizens Advice on practices and policy concerning Council Tax collection.

In setting down clear procedures and keeping these regularly under review, all parties to the protocol can ensure that arrears are dealt with appropriately whilst complaints are handled efficiently.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

1.1     To adopt the Citizen Advice protocol.

1.2     To not adopt the Citizen Advice protocol and wait for Government reforms.

 

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

 

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Minutes:

Report MCa/19/33 was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance who moved the recommendations. The recommendations were seconded by  Councillor Brewster.

 

Councillor Field queried what action was taken to assist residents who may struggle to fund council tax payments, in particular those residents in receipt of Universal Credit payments. The SRP Operations Manager confirmed that customers in receipt of Universal Credit were entitled to a reduction in Council Tax payments.

 

By a unanimous vote

 

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1     That the adoption of the Citizen Advice Council Tax Protocol detailed at Appendix (a) of the report be approved.

 

Reason for Decision: The protocol reflects best practice at a local level and is intended to facilitate regular liaison with the Council, its Enforcement Agents and Citizens Advice on practices and policy concerning Council Tax collection.

In setting down clear procedures and keeping these regularly under review, all parties to the protocol can ensure that arrears are dealt with appropriately whilst complaints are handled efficiently.