NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE DECISION
The attached decision was made by the Portfolio Holder for Council Tax Collection, Benefits and Strategic Housing Functions.
The decision will come into force and may then be implemented, on the expiry of five working days after the publication of this notice, unless referred to Full Council by a minimum of three Members or called in by the Review Committee.
Signed __Ms Michelle Power__________________
For Member Services Manager
Dated __18 June 2013________________________
For further information please contact Member Services on 01702 318140 or email: memberservices@rochford.gov.uk
If you would like this document in large print, Braille or another language please contact 01702 318111.
EXECUTIVE DECISION BY PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COUNCIL TAX COLLECTION, BENEFITS AND STRATEGIC HOUSING FUNCTIONS
SUBJECT: LOCAL SCHEME INCOME DISREGARD FOR HOUSING BENEFIT
1 DECISION MADE
1.1 That there is a 100% income disregard of War Pensions, War Widow’s Pensions, War Widower’s Pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Payments or any other successor scheme in the calculation of Housing Benefit.
2 NAME OF PORTFOLIO HOLDER
2.1 Councillor Malcolm Maddocks.
3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
3.1 None.
The reasons for the decision and alternative options considered are as set out in the Lead Officer’s report (see below). The decision does not depart from Council policy and appropriate consideration has been given to any budgetary and legal implications.
Portfolio Holder Signature: ___Cllr Malcolm Maddocks_____________
Date of Decision: ___17 June 2013_______________________
* * * * * * * * * * * *
EXECUTIVE DECISION BY PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COUNCIL TAX COLLECTION, BENEFITS AND STRATEGIC HOUSING FUNCTIONS
SUBJECT: LOCAL SCHEME INCOME DISREGARD FOR HOUSING BENEFIT
1 DECISION BEING RECOMMENDED
1.1 To approve a 100% income disregard of War Pensions, War Widow’s Pensions, War Widower’s Pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Payments or any other successor scheme in the calculation of Housing Benefit
2 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
2.1 When calculating Housing Benefit entitlement, the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 provide for the first £10.00 per week of income from any War Pension, War Widow’s/Widower’s Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Payment to be disregarded in the calculation. In addition, Section 134(8)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 allows Local Authorities to modify the Housing Benefit scheme so as to disregard more than the statutory £10.00 disregard of these pensions.
2.2 Where there is a modified scheme, the cost of the scheme is initially borne by the Local Authority, although approximately 75% of this cost is regained through Government subsidy levels. This is the only area of the Housing Benefit scheme where a Local Authority can modify the statutory scheme and the vast majority, if not all, of other Local Authorities in England operate a 100% disregard. The cost to the Council in 2012/13 was £3,679.
2.3 The Council’s policy currently is to disregard 100% of War Pensions and War Widow’s Pensions but this has not been reviewed for many years and now requires updating to enable Armed Forces Compensation Payments which were introduced in 2005 to replace the old War Pensions scheme to also be fully disregarded.
2.4 The Local Council Tax Support Scheme, adopted by the Council on 18 December 2012, provides that 100% of any War Pension, War Widow’s Pension, War Widower’s Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Payment is disregarded in the calculation of Local Council Tax Support and therefore would be consistent with the decision being recommended.
3 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
3.1 The cost in 2012/13 was £3,679 and this level of expenditure can be met from existing budgets.
I confirm that the above recommendation does not depart from Council policy and that appropriate consideration has been given to any budgetary and legal implications.
SMT Lead Officer Signature: ___Mr Jeremy Bourne______________
Date: __17 June 2013_____________________
Background Papers:
None.
For further information please contact Jeremy Bourne, Head of Community Services and Nick Scott, Revenues and Benefits Manager on:-
Phone: 01702 318163
Email: jeremy.bourne@rochford.gov.uk
Phone: 01702 318006
Email: nick.scott@rochford.gov.uk
Note: Please ensure that Member Services are provided with the original of the decision on the day it is taken (or by 10 am the following morning at the latest) to enable publication.