Issue - meetings

A deputation had been received from Mr Paul Nicolson, representing Tottenham Residents, in relation to item 9 of the Agenda - Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Mr Nicolson spoke as the representative of Tottenham Residents and firstly welcomed the implementation of the new Council Tax policy, as per item 9 of the Agenda. Mr Nicolson remarked that it was unfortunate this change would not take effect until 2019/2020although he recognised that half of the 6000 families with children claiming working tax benefits would be relieved not to get a Council Tax bill in April 2019. However, many would still have Council Tax arrears from previous years. Additionally, it was queried whether the 4000 working adults claiming benefits would still have to pay Council Tax from 2020.

Mr Nicolson continued to raise the following:

• The changes were a vital start to tackling the results of austerity. It would be used by campaigning organisations as an example to other Councils of what can and ought to be done.
• The national campaign against the Council Tax  was continuing as there were 289 out of 326 Councils in England yet to be persuaded.

• Regarding single-adult job seekers allowance, noted that it was valued at £73.10 a week, and equated to the incoming Universal Credit of £317 a monthwhich Mr Nicolson stated had been losing value since 1979 and had been frozen since 2011. In Mr Nicolson’s view, the value of single-adult job seekers allowance was not enough to pay for a healthy diet, water, fuel, clothes and transport or other necessities. Furthermore, since April 2013, the Job Seekers allowance had been paying a proportion of rent and Council Tax (plus enforcement costs) whereas, before April 2013, it was supported by 100% Council Tax and housing benefits. Mr Nicolson advised that this benefit can be stopped for one or three months with a benefit sanction by the Jobcentres and can be at the same time as the Council sending out the bailiffs to collect Council tax arrears, from a claimant with no income. This situation reflected that the benefit system was not supporting residents in most need.

Mr Nicolson advised that in 2013/14, the Council sent out the bailiffs 12,484 times adding to the arrears, (a) £125 court costs a time payable to the Council, and then (b) £75 a time payable to the bailiffs. A total of £200 a time had added to the arrears which added a total of £2.5 million to the cost of Council tax to Haringey Residents. Mr Nicolson referred to the Treasury Select Committee of MPs report “Household finances: income, saving and debt” published on the 26^th July which stated that people become over-indebted through arrears on bills, including those owed to central and local government, such as Council Tax. This report advised that public authorities often pursue debts over-zealously, uncompromisingly, and with routine recourse to bailiffs, which risks driving the most financially vulnerable people into further difficulty.

In conclusion Mr Nicolson emphasised the negative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50