Haringey LBC has won a landmark High Court battle over its council tax benefit reforms, in a case that was widely seen as setting a precedent for the sector.
The local authority was the first of a raft of councils to face legal challenges against their planned council tax benefits changes, after ministers announced the localisation of the system coupled with a 10% cut in funding from 1 April.
Haringey LBC had been called to the High Court this week to defend the proposal to charge some of its previously-exempt residents 20% of their council tax.
The case against Haringey was raised on the grounds that the authority had not properly consulted with the community over the changes and that the decision to charge 20% of the rebate to certain residents was unfair.
A Haringey LBC spokeswoman said: ‘We welcome the ruling of the court and the finding that our consultation process was fair and lawful. We hope that the localised council tax reduction scheme agreed by full council last month will now be introduced from the start of the financial year.’
Earlier this week, law firm Irwin Mitchell revealed it had started legal action against Birmingham, Haringey, Hackney, Rochdale and Sheffield councils on behalf of residents.
The firm announced it was ‘investigating’ other local authorities prior to the 1 February deadline for councils to submit their benefit changes to the Government.
Camden LBC was also sent a ‘letter before action’ – the start of a potential judicial review.
