Council tax reductions should depend on need, not on minimum local residence. Well done to Child Poverty Action Group for a legal victory for people in poverty! CPAG represented three vulnerable women in financial need who have been charged a higher rate of council tax by their local authority because they only recently moved into the area. The judicial review case is one of the first test cases on the extent of local authority’s powers and duties in setting up council tax reduction schemes. The High Court struck down Sandwell Councils policy of refusing a council tax reduction to anyone who had not lived in the area for at least two years. In a judgment highly critical of the Council, Mr Justice Hickinbottom ruled that the two year residency rule was unlawful on eight separate grounds. The Council acted outside its statutory powers, the two year rule is irrational and discriminates on grounds of race and gender and the Council failed to hold any consultation or comply with its equality duties. The judgment means other Councils who have adopted minimum residence rules will have to review their policies. cpag.org.uk/content/council-tax-reduction-minimum-local-residence-rule
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:32:04 +0000
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