Council Tax is changing

The benefit system is being overhauled because the Government is abolishing the Council Tax Benefit scheme and is asking councils to replace it with their own local Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme from 1 April 2013.

As well as having to create a local scheme, the council will also have to work within a budget that has been reduced by at least ten per cent. 

This reduction in funding means we have to make difficult decisions. We are now seeking the views of residents to see how you feel about the proposals we are making. 

It is likely that further changes to our local CTS scheme will be required over the next few years to fund the ongoing shortfall in the budget provison for this scheme. We will consult you again if this happens.

What the changes mean

Every single council will have their own local CTS scheme, with its own eligibility criteria.

Next year Malvern Hills District Council will have at least 10% less money for CTS than it currently spends on Council Tax Benefit. This results in a shortfall of around £485,000 in next years budget to pay for the new CTS scheme.

The council will therefore have to carefully manage what it spends on helping people within this budget.

The government has specified that certain groups such as pensioners will be protected and should see no changes to their entitlement.  However, it is up to each council to consider whether to protect other groups and how to fund these choices.

Malvern Hills District Council is proposing to retain much of the existing national Council Tax Benefit scheme within our new local CTS scheme for 2013/2014. However, to help with the shortfall in funding, we are proposing to restrict the amount that some working age claimants can claim under the new CTS scheme.

An easy read guide outlining our draft Council Tax Support scheme is available here: CT Support Scheme

Consultation

The Consultation starts on 26^th September 2012 and ends on the 9^th November 2012.

A decision - taking account of your views for a new Council Tax Support Scheme will be made at Full Council on 4^th December 2012.

Take part in the consultation by completing the online questionnaire

Further information

For further enquiries on our proposals, email cts@malvernhills.gov.uk