Council seeks views on changes to Council Tax Support

Local people are being asked for their views on proposed changes to Dover District Council's Council Tax Support Scheme.

This is the scheme that provides financial support to residents on low incomes to help them pay their Council Tax. The current scheme, which was introduced in 2013 as part of a Kent-wide agreement, is due to end in March 2017. In 2015/16, 9,774 people in Dover District received financial support from the council totalling £8.4m.

Funding for the scheme has continued to reduce and the council, along with every local authority in Kent, will be consulting on options for the future to ensure that it is affordable. This is so it can continue to support the most vulnerable residents in the district, whilst protecting all Council Tax payers.

As pensionable age people who receive Council Tax Support are protected, the changes will not affect them.

Fourteen proposals are being put forward for consideration. Members of the public have until Friday 16 September to give their views on the proposals.

Cllr Michael Conolly, DDC Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and Performance, said: "It's important that we find a fair way to ensure Council Tax is affordable for those on low incomes, and we hope everyone will take the chance to look at these options and let us know what they think. With Government funding reducing, it’s simply not sustainable to continue with the current scheme, and that’s why we, along with other Kent councils, are consulting on options for the future."

As part of the consultation, the council will contact all existing working age benefit claimants with details of the proposals and encourage them to complete and return a survey free of charge. People can also attend drop-in events where staff will help answer any questions they may have and help them understand how the different options might affect them. A random five per cent sample of the population will also be contacted to gather their views on the proposals.

For more information, including an online survey and video description of the 14 options, visit the Council Tax Support pages. Documents on the proposals and the surveys will also be available in local libraries.