Proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme
ANYONE wishing to comment on proposed changes to Tamworth Borough Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme has until September 25th to make their views known.
The Authority is consulting on a proposed amendment to the scheme which would see child maintenance payments being disregarded as income when calculating a working age claimant’s Council Tax Reduction entitlement. It is seen as a positive step towards encouraging parents to find work or stay in work.
If supported, the amendment would take effect from April 1st, 2016.
Tamworth Borough Council has been seeking people’s views on the proposed change through the official consultation period which started on July 31st and ends on September 25th. It is also using the opportunity to gauge opinion on the rest of the scheme, which has been in operation since April 1st, 2013.
Working age Council Tax Reduction claimants can use the Council’s estimate calculator at http://tamworthcts.entitledto.co.uk/ to see how the changes would affect their award if implemented from April 2016.
Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Pritchard, said: “We are considering this amendment and want to know what local people think. Council Tax Reduction payments are funded by the Council Tax payer, so we want to seek the public’s view on this proposal.
“We believe that the rest of our Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme supports the most vulnerable people in Tamworth and balances the cost to the local tax payer. I would urge people to have their say before the consultation period ends.”
Consultation questionnaires are available on the Tamworth Borough Council website at www.tamworth.gov.uk
At the end of the consultation, all responses will be considered by the Cabinet and Full Council will finalise the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme from April 1st 2016.
