We're proposing a £120,000 allocation of funds to three charitable causes as part of our Council Tax Increase Refund scheme.
Cabinet agreed on Wednesday (6 December) to recommend to January's full council meeting that three local schemes which support the most vulnerable would be allocated a total of £120,000 of the scheme's unclaimed funds. The remainder would be set aside for the Council Tax Support Reserve.
The three schemes set to benefit are Hertsmere's Citizens Advice; Hertsmere Food Banks and Give Help Share Charity.
More than 1850 householders claimed a refund on this year’s increase of our share of the council tax liability during a 12-week application window which closed on 13 November.
The refund scheme enabled residents to opt in for a credit against their 2023/24 council tax liability, with any unclaimed refunds being set aside to support the borough’s most vulnerable households, through the Council Tax Support Scheme and these local charitable causes.
Our share of the council tax bill for this financial year, which is 10 per cent of the overall council tax payment residents make, included an increase of 2.99% or between £3.55 to £11.64 depending on the property's banding. .
The remainder of the council tax bill that households pay goes to Hertfordshire County Council (77%), the Police and Crime Commissioner (11%) and town or parish councils (2%).
Cllr Chris Shenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Budget, commented: “Through this scheme, we’ve met our partnership administration’s commitment to put money back in people’s pockets at a time when many are struggling financially. And, for those who didn’t want to opt in for the refund, I am so pleased that we are set to agree a great way of ensuring that our most vulnerable households are supported through charitable organisations and the Council Tax Support Scheme."
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, added: "This is a double win. We've delivered refunds to all those who wanted them and established a pathway to get more help directly to the most vulnerable households. This is particularly important following the news that the government is going to abolish the Household Support Fund against the backdrop of the deepening cost of living crisis."
Our staff will now be administering the refunds, with claimants due to receive a credit against their Council Tax Account during December.
Posted on Thursday 7th December 2023