Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation
Closing date: 31st October 2024
We are proposing changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) which helps low-income households with payment of Council Tax.
This consultation only relates to the scheme for working age claimants which is set by Cheshire West and Chester Council. Pension Age claimants are not affected by the proposed changes as that scheme continues to be set by central government.
The scheme we are proposing aims to simplify the system for applicants and administrators.
For details of the proposals please read our Consultation document below. (You should read this before completing our survey)
How we developed the proposal
The government prescribed the regulations for pensioners relating to council tax but gave councils the discretion to implement their own rules to be applicable to people of working age. Our CTRS scheme for working age claimants was set and agreed in 2012 and last amended in 2014. The scheme for pensioners remains the same.
Modelling of various scenarios have been considered using current claimant data, the Council looked at different percentage awards for protected groups and different deductions for how much income a claimant can retain. This modelling needed to balance making the scheme simpler to understand and administer and ensuring the cost of the scheme did not increase.
The Council is now consulting on a proposed change to the current local CTRS for working age claimants and seeking to understand your views. We are particularly interested in the views of all council taxpayers, as well as those residents currently in receipt of support through the local CTRS and key voluntary support groups.
The proposals are modelled at no additional cost to the council taxpayer and the impacts show that the majority of claimants will not see a change in their award.
|
Details |
Number of residents |
|---|---|
|
Claimants whose CTRS award will increase under the revised scheme |
1,050 |
|
Claimants whose CTRS award will stay the same |
9,640 |
|
Claimants whose CTRS award will decrease under the revised scheme |
680 |
Some key messages
- Simplified scheme – easier to see if you are eligible
- Easier and quicker to administer
- Residents will receive fewer bills when income & circumstances change
- Resources can be better used to support claimants
- 94% of claimants will stay the same or will benefit
- 6% could lose some benefit but will have access to a transitional support fund
- Transitional support will be available for a minimum of 2 years for those impacted by the proposals.
- Protected Group support will remain at 100%
You can share your views on the proposal by:
- Completing the consultation survey by clicking below:
- complete a paper questionnaire and send your response back to us at the address below. These can be obtained by contacting us by phone or email. (details below)
- Email your views to: – benefits@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Send a letter to: Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Finance, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.
- Telephone: 0300 123 8 123 quoting Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation.
- Request a copy of our consultation in alternative formats, including paper and easy read.
This consultation is open for responses until 31st October 2024.
Drop-in sessions will be available with details to follow.
If you would like to be kept informed about the drop-in sessions, please contact us by emailing benefits@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
What happens next
Your views are really important and what you tell us will be used to help shape the Council's revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age claimants. Once the consultation is closed your feedback will be used to refine the scheme which will then be shared with the Council's Cabinet in November 2024.
Privacy Notice
If you would like to know more about how we use and store the information you give us, you can visit our privacy notice page.
Accessibility
Council information is also available in audio, braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please use one of the methods below.
- Email: equalities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0300 123 8 123
- Textphone: 18001 01606 867670