Consultation on Council Tax Support Scheme

Date published: 23rd October 2024

The Council is considering making changes to our Council Tax Support scheme. As part of these changes, we are undertaking a consultation so residents in North Norfolk can tell us about their views on them.

The Council Tax Support under review is the help provided for working age people on low incomes to pay for their Council Tax. Council Tax Support for low-income pensioners (66 years or over) is decided by central government and is therefore not affected by this.

Until April 2013 there was a national scheme called Council Tax Benefit. The Government made local Councils responsible for replacement schemes from 1 April 2013 and reduced funding to support the schemes. Since then, funding has further reduced. We also need to make changes to keep the Council Tax Support Scheme in line with Housing Benefit which we also administer to keep costs low.

Decisions about changes to the scheme need to be considered alongside the wider challenges being faced by local authorities.

As government funding continues to decrease, we need to strike a balance between a revised scheme that is fair and affordable for those who receive support, and also for all our residents who receive council services. However, we remain committed to providing the maximum level of support for those with the lowest income.

In this consultation we are asking for views on several proposals to change the scheme. Options include:

• Introducing a flat rate non-dependent deduction of £10 per week for each adult.
• Removing the additional earnings disregard of £17.10 a week from earnings.
• Reducing the time we can backdate an award of Council Tax Support.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 24th November 2024.

View full letter being sent to residents here with full details of the scheme.

Take the survey here.