Consultation starts on changes to council tax reduction scheme
Changes are to be made to the council tax reduction scheme – but local authority bosses have pledged it will continue to protect the most vulnerable in the borough.
Dudley Council’s cabinet approved plans this week on going out to consultation to ask residents’ views on a revised scheme.
People can now have their say at www.dudley.gov.uk/ctr. The consultation will run until November 6, with a view to the new scheme coming into force in April next year.
The changes are designed to reduce the administrative burden on the council, ensure the continuation of support for lowest income families and improve the level of council tax collection.
It is also hoped it will cut through red tape and make it easier for vulnerable residents to make a claim.
Working age claimants are currently allowed up to a maximum of 77 per cent off their council tax bills, and the revised scheme maintains that figure.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:
“It is absolutely critical that we continue to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable residents in our borough.
“To that end, the revised scheme will not see benefits cut for the people who most need it.
“The changes are more about making it easier to administer the scheme, both for our staff and for residents.
“The consultation is now now live and we want to hear residents’ views. We will take those into account and look to put a revised system in place in time for April next year.”