Proposed changes to Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025 to 2026
Audience: Council Tax payers, advice and advocacy organisations, registered providers, recipients of local Council Tax support, parish councils, public sector partners
Open: 9 October 2024 to 6 November 2024
As part of West Suffolk Council’s work to ease the cost of living for communities it is looking at possible options to extend the discount for Council Tax given to people on low incomes for one year.
This is known as the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
In light of the national challenge of the cost of living, the council seeks to engage with the public and stakeholders on options with a consultation which is open until 6 November 2024.
It is proposed that West Suffolk Council continues the 2024 to 2025 changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme that would extend the decreased contribution rate (maximum discount of 100 per cent) to support low-income households and those facing financial hardship, in light of pressures on the cost of living.
If agreed through a full Council decision, this will benefit around 4,700 people.
The proposal is highly targeted to reach those who are already on means tested benefits and has low administrative costs.
Further background on the proposed changes is available in this report: Review of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025 to 2026 and decision to consult
The consultation is being sent to a range of stakeholders, including those who work with people in receipt of Council Tax support.
Feedback from the consultation will be considered by Cabinet and full Council in December. If agreed, the changes would come into effect for one year from April 2025.
At the moment these are just draft proposals which the council will want to hear people’s thoughts on before they are considered to be taken forward. It is part of a range of ways the council is supporting communities including those with the highest risk of financial hardship as a result of the current cost of living pressures.
This consultation is open from 9 October to 11.59pm on 6 November 2024. To take part online visit: Have your say