Councillors hope to save £200,000 with a means-tested council tax system
advertisement
Councillors approve means-tested council tax scheme
By Becky BarnesFebruary 05, 2013
Councillors are supporting a means-tested council tax scheme which will see out-of-work benefits slashed.
The Local Council Tax Support Scheme was approved by councillors at Bracknell Forest’s full council meeting last Wednesday and will save £200,000 of council money.
Households receiving out-of-work benefits will have their 100 per cent council tax benefit slashed to 91.5 per cent, meaning they will have to pay 8.5 per cent of their annual council tax bill. As part of the approved recommendations, the council will be applying for a transitional grant scheme from the Government which will provide £119,000 of funding.
People will also be able to split council tax payments over 12 months instead of 10 and households who struggle to pay can apply for hardship funding from a new scheme set up by the council.
The approved plans also mean the amount of benefit which can be backdated will be reduced from six months to three.
At the meeting Cllr Dale Birch responded to Cllr Mary Temperton who asked whether people would be consulted when the council reviews local tax each year.
Cllr Birch said the council was not required to consult the public, but he added: “As this council is very democratic, some sort of direct public consultation will happen each year.”
Browse Sections
