What is this consultation about?
The Council is proposing a number of changes to its existing scheme and, in line with current legislation, we have a duty to consult and provide you with the opportunity to tell us your views on the proposed changes to our Council Tax Reduction Scheme (known locally as Council Tax Support).
What is being proposed and why?
These proposed changes are part of a 2 year journey we are undertaking to redesign the Council Tax Reduction scheme to make it fairer and simpler. Most changes are necessary to move to a more automated service and any proposed changes for a banded scheme that looks at household income for 2026/27 will be consulted on next year.
What is Council Tax Reduction?
Council Tax Reduction is a discount to Council Tax, the level of which is based on the income of the household. Currently, working-age households who meet the relevant criteria and are not in a protected category can receive up to 70% of their Council Tax liability paid via Council Tax Support.
Applicants within a protected category such as those who are severely disabled or in receipt of certain disability-related incomes, may receive support of up to 100%.
Pensioners can also receive up to 100% support, depending on their income.
Who will this affect?
Working-age households in the area who currently receive, or can apply for, Council Tax Reduction.
Pension-age households will not be affected as Central Government prescribes the scheme relating to those households.
These proposed changes to the scheme will rebalance the distribution of the funding across working-age claimants of Council Tax Support.
Are there any alternatives to changing the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme?
The scheme could remain as it is but this would not realise any proposed benefits.
When would any changes take effect?
Once the consultation process has ended all responses will be considered and a decision made as to the changes that will be done.
All changes will take effect from 1 April 2025.