Changes to Council Tax Support
A report to the next Cabinet meeting at Telford & Wrekin Council on 7 January will recommend a number of changes to the current Council Tax Support scheme that was introduced in April 2013.
The changes proposed to the current Council Tax Support scheme are:-
• Lowering the upper limit for the local Council Tax Support to those proposed by Government for benefits, and continuing to match the limits set by Government as they change. These limits are set to lower for couples and single parents whose children live with them to £20,000 (down from £26,000), and to £13,400 for single people (down from £18,200).
• The introduction of an estimated minimum weekly income of 30 hours per week at the National Living wage for people over 25 years old (or the National Minimum Wage for people under 25) who have been self employed for more than 12 months and has declared an income below the equivalent of 30 hours per week at the national minimum/living wage.
• The removal of the ‘Family Premium’ from the assessment of Council Tax Support, in line with the Government’s plans to remove it for new claims and new births within the assessment of Housing Benefit). This will not affect any current families who will continue to receive the Family Premium in their needs allowance.
The Council is also proposing to maintain a £30k hardship scheme to additionally support the most vulnerable customers.
A full public consultation on the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support scheme in Telford and Wrekin for 2016/17 was undertaken from 9 August to 23 October.
As well as consulting with local residents, consultation letters and information was sent specifically to the 500 customers who it is believed would be directly affected by the changes should they be introduced.
Consultation also took place directly with West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue, who are the major precepting authorities in the area, along with all Parish and Town Councils and key stakeholders such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) and social sector landlords.
Overwhelming support in favour of the proposed changes through the consultation was received. Of the 594 responses 78 percent agreed with the recommendation to introduce the changes to the scheme.
Councilor Lee Carter, cabinet member for Finance and Service Delivery, said: “It is important as an authority that we continually review our services to not only bring them in line with Government changes but to realise potential savings. We must also ensure that support given to customers does not keep them in a cycle of benefit claiming but also protects the most vulnerable.
“By introducing these changes, and in conjunction with other non-financial support available from Telford & Wrekin Council, we are maintaining our commitment to help people into work, providing for themselves and their families independently, while reducing the pressure on the authority to support those families.
“It is pleasing to know that the consultation on these proposed changes has received significant support, indicating that we are moving the Council Tax Support scheme forward in the best way possible.
Should the recommendations be approved at the Cabinet meeting in January, and subsequently at the next Full Council meeting, the changes to the Council Tax Support scheme will come in to effect on 1 April 2016.
