Proposed changes to Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2024-25

Audience: Council Tax payers, advice and advocacy organisations, registered providers, recipients of local Council Tax support, parish councils, public sector partners

This consultation is now closed. It was open from 2 October 2023 to 30 October 2023.

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 30 October 2023.

It is proposed that West Suffolk Council continues the 2023-24 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 the cost-of-living crisis.

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 2024 to 2025 and decision to consult

This online consultation is open from 2 October to 30 October 2023 to take part online visit: Have your say

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 2024.

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 crisis.