APPENDIX 1b
Town and Parish Council responses to Local Council Tax Support Consultation 2020/21

Town & Parish Council

Comments

Brading Town Council

Brading Town Council unanimously agreed at their
July Town Council meeting that the scheme would
affect the most vulnerable residents and attacks
people with the least - especially working families.
The Council voted unanimously that the current
procedures should remain as they are, and savings
should be sought elsewhere.’

East Cowes Town Council

I can confirm that East Cowes Town Council have
now agreed a collective response. Following a very
informative session with you and your colleague The Council support Option 2, as set out in the
guidance document. Further, they consider that the
revised scheme will be beneficial to the IW Council,
in that it will be made less difficult to administer,
resulting in lower staff costs. Additionally, and
perhaps more importantly, it will be less confusing
for residents when making a claim. A standardised
scheme, which evens out payments for recipients,
will surely result in a less volatile tax base and tax
yield in future years. This will be a distinct
advantage to Parish Councils when setting their
precepts

Ryde Town Council

‘That whatever decision the Isle of Wight Council
takes, it also implements an effective, secure and
fair process for the protection of those poorest and
vulnerable to any proposed changes in the scheme.’
‘In addition, it would be appreciated that in future
consultations an indication of the number of
households affected by proposed changes is
communicated and that any support that is
available is well publicised’

Niton and Whitwell Town Council

‘Members were unanimous in rejecting all the
options outlined in the consultation and it was
agreed to write to the Isle of Wight Council
requesting no change be made to the present
system. It was strongly felt that all the options
resulted in additional funds being taken from the
poorest members of society and this was not
acceptable.’

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 APPENDIX 1b
St Helens

St Helens Parish Council, at its meeting last night,
noted that there was insufficient details regarding
the impact assessment of the proposals and could
not support any of the options

Northwood Parish Council

Northwood Parish Council resolved that the
language used to convey information about the
Council Tax Reduction Scheme should be concise
and have received crystal mark accreditation.
Northwood Parish Council will also support any
scheme that lifts residents out of poverty

Gurnard Parish Council

Gurnard Parish Council met last night to discuss this
consultation and object to proposals that will impact
most harshly on residents and families on low
incomes

Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council

Further to meeting of Havenstreet and Ashey PC,
members considered there was insufficient
information, especially impact assessments, and
could not support any of the options

Ventnor Town Council

Although Members recognise that Universal Credit
causes difficulties for the administration of the Local
Council Tax Support Scheme their unanimous view
that the necessary adjustments should not result in
any further reduction in the financial support from
the scheme for any qualifying resident.

Shanklin Town Council

We are informed that Universal Credit will be
coming to the Island this year, and that the credit
changes as peoples circumstances change, which
may be confusing for those in receipt of Universal
Credit when planning their budget if their Council
Tax increase and decreases.
If we understand correctly Option 2 – ‘income grid
scheme’ would mean no changes for those in
receipt of Universal Credit when their circumstances
change; if that is the case, then we would ask that
this scheme is considered.

Shalfleet Parish Council

Shalfleet Parish Councilors agreed that they wish to
support Option 2a of those put forward
‘Disregarding Carer’s Allowance which is currently
taken into account as income in the calculation’ and
that the other options be disregarded.

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