Earlier this year, the Government introduced two schemes namely Council Tax Energy Rebate (CTER) and Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate (DCTER) to protect millions of households from rising energy costs.  The CTER was a mandatory scheme that ensured all eligible households received a rebate.  In Rother, 31,527 properties fell into bands A-D, therefore approximately £4,726,050 was administered.  Automatic payments were made to all direct debit payees whose details matched bank accounts; others were contacted separately, and support provided to complete a short on-line application.  Out of 29,000 payments to be made, there were only 4,000 outstanding.  

The DCTER scheme ensured that the Council could provide support to those residents who were not eligible under the CTER scheme and could determine how best to distribute the funding e.g. households in bands E-H on low incomes.  Rother was allocated £294,000, which enabled support to an additional 1,960 households.  However, there was insufficient funding to provide a payment of £150 to all households who were not eligible for the CTER scheme.  Rother had 14,509 households in bands E-H. 

Partnership working across the county had designed a comparable scheme and £150 would be paid to those households that met the following criteria: liable for Council Tax (CT) and resided in a band E-H property or not liable for CT and resided in band A-D property and responsible for energy bills, plus in receipt of at least Universal Credit; Housing Benefit; CT Reduction; Working Tax Credit; Income Support; Income Based Job-Seeker’s Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or had a net income of more than £257.69 per week for a single person or £384.62 per week for a couple with capital of no more than £6,000.  It was noted that those residents who were currently in receipt of 100% Council Tax reduction would be written to regarding the discretionary scheme. 

The DCTER on-line application and payment process would be identical to the CTER scheme, processed in date order and close on 30 November 2022 or when the fund was exhausted, whatever was the sooner.  It would be promoted via the Council’s website, all social media platforms, through partnership organisations and closely monitored in case direct promotion was required.  Members were encouraged to use their community networks to promote the scheme. 

Cabinet was supportive of and approved the DCTER scheme and agreed that delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance Management to finalise the criteria and make any necessary amendments to the scheme to ensure the maximised funding was utilised.  Members paid tribute to the Revenues and Benefits Team, along with Customer Services who had processed the many various schemes and assisted residents.    

RESOLVED: That the:

1)         Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme outlined above be approved; and

2)       Deputy Chief Executive be granted delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance Management to finalise the detailed criteria and make any necessary changes to the policy in order to ensure the maximum funding is utilised.