Bath residents are being given the opportunity by B&NES Council to have their say on proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for people of working age.
The current scheme was implemented in April 2013, when the Government ended the previous Council Tax Benefit scheme and passed responsibility for designing local Council Tax Support schemes to Local Authorities.
Bath & North East Somerset Council implemented a scheme which took into account a reduction in government funding, and the rules have since remained the same.
With further reductions in government funding over the coming years, the Council has reviewed the current scheme and is proposing to make some changes from April 2017.
Councillor Charles Gerrish (Conservative, Keynsham North), Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, said: “Our proposed scheme aims to protect the most vulnerable by providing help with Council Tax payments to those on the lowest incomes, whilst at the same time maximising incentives for people to work.
“Bath & North East Somerset Council invites all local residents, key stakeholders and partner organisations to respond to the consultation and comment on the changes proposed.
“The Council Tax support scheme is also in addition to our local Welfare Support scheme, which we propose to enhance as part of these changes.”
Key features of the proposed scheme:
- Residents currently receiving Council Tax Support will stay on the old scheme until they move on to Universal Credit. Their eligibility will be based on entitlement to Universal Credit.
- The maximum amount of support available is determined by income bands.
- The maximum support available to all working-age claimants will be set at around 90% of the Council Tax bill.
- Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments is not counted as part of an applicant’s household income when calculating entitlement to support. All other income is counted.
- The housing cost element of Universal Credit is considered as income when calculating support.
- Self-employed applicants declaring unrealistic income are assessed at the national living wage income.
- People with capital / savings of over £6,000 won’t be eligible for Council Tax Support in line with the lower capital limit of Universal Credit, though this does not include the value of the property you are living in.
- Any savings achieved by changes in the level of support will be allocated to the Council’s local Welfare Support Team. This means they can offer more targeted assistance to people and those most impacted by the changes will be actively encouraged to seek this additional support. There will be no reduction in the overall amount available for support.
Further details on the proposals and the consultation,taking place until 16th October 2016, can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ctsconsultation.
Following the completion of the consultation, a final policy will be developed which needs to be passed by full Council for agreement before 31st January 2017.
