Have Your Say on Council Tax Reform
Currently, central Government fully funds a national council tax benefit scheme which supports residents on low incomes who need help to pay their council tax.
But that funding will be cut by 10% from next April which means Charnwood Borough Council will face a £900,000 shortfall in meeting current demands to pay benefits to residents.
Charnwood Borough Council is, therefore, seeking residents’ views on the best way to achieve an affordable scheme that will continue to support the most vulnerable and protected members of the community but will also provide value-for-money and protect other services for all our residents.
Council leaders say the most vulnerable residents, including pensioners and war widows, will not be affected by the changes.
The Government’s reforms will, however, force the Council to consider changing discounts and exemptions which are currently in place, including reductions for second homes and unoccupied properties.
Councillor Jenny Bokor, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services, said: “We are very committed to protecting the most vulnerable residents in the borough to make sure they will not be affected by the changes, but at the same time we still recognise that the cuts to funding mean that there are tough decisions ahead.”
The public consultation began on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, and will run until Friday, September 28, 2012, and is available online at www.charnwood.gov.uk/counciltaxreform. This link takes residents to a consultation site hosted by Leicester City Council, but Charnwood residents only need to click on the Council’s ‘fox’ logo to complete our consultation.
Council Tax Support will replace Council Tax Benefit as part of wider changes being implemented by central government to reform the benefit system and reduce worklessness.
For more information, contact Charnwood Borough Council on 01509 263151, email charnwood.counciltax@secure.capita.co.uk or visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/counciltaxreform
