Press Release: Increased Support with Council Tax
Chief Officer – Alex Hughes reports:
Rushmoor Borough Council has reviewed how they fund Council Tax Support (CTS), responding to the severe challenges faced by local people with the rising cost of living – and also taking account of evidence from Citizens Advice locally and nationally. They are proposing to change the scheme for 2024/25 so that the amount of CTS for those on the lowest incomes will increase from 88% to 100% (a provision already made for pensioners). Rushmoor has assessed this as being “cost neutral” to the council, after reviewing the time and costs of collecting relatively small amounts of council tax from the most vulnerable people.
As a local charity, we have contributed to the CTS working group over the years and have actively supported extending the provision – using our evidence to illustrate just how difficult it is for the clients we see who are facing severe cost of living challenges. Rushmoor is currently consulting on the change, which is open until Friday 15th December. We would encourage Rushmoor residents to respond to the consultation positively, reflecting the great benefit this will have to local people facing growing pressures on stretched budgets. The link to the consultation is Council Tax Support Consultation.