Views sought on Council Tax Support
Council consulting with public over Council Tax support scheme.
Politics & local government
Selby District Council is asking for comments to help in a review of Council Tax Support for people living in the area.
The scheme enables people to apply for discounted Council Tax, if they are on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits. Every two years Selby District Council has to decide how much Council Tax Support to give to working-age adults living in the area. From April next year, the Council is considering changes to the way in which this support is calculated and delivered, in line with central government changes to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit payments.
The level of support is based on the income within a household. Currently the maximum discount is 90% of the total amount payable for working age households, with a 100% discount (e.g. no payment required at all) for eligible pensioners.
A range of options are being considered, and the Council is now inviting comments on these in an online survey which can be accessed via the council's website. These options consider changes to bring our support into line with the way other benefits are paid, the extent of any ‘back payments’ and how the Council will make a decision on the level of support. All these options are explored in more detail as part of the survey, in which you can give your comments about each element.
The Council’s proposed changes affect only working age adults, not pensioners.
Selby District Council’s executive member with responsibility for finance, Cllr Cliff Lunn, explained the Council’s position, “The primary aim here is to bring Council Tax support into line with other benefit payments; this is not about making savings for the Council. This would make it much easier for people to understand what support is available to them and at what level.
“We’re committed to ensuring that those most in need receive the right support, which is why we’re asking for people to take part in a consultation on our proposed approach. The survey is for everyone, not just those who directly receive this support.”
You do not have to be in receipt of Council Tax Support, or any other benefits, to be able to take part in the survey.