Changes Proposed to Council Tax Reduction Scheme
Council says they will benefit thousands of low-income households
Process would be 'more transparent and simpler to understand'
October 27, 2023
Wandsworth Council is proposing changes to its Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme which it says will help thousands more residents in the borough and make it fairer.
The main change is that a maximum income would be introduced for those that qualify for support although overall the proposals will mean more money being disbursed through the scheme if it is introduced as planned next April.
The council is making these changes because over the next few years, working-age residents in receipt of CTR will transition over to Universal Credit. It believes a simplified and stabilised alternative scheme will remove administrative burdens for both working-age claimants and the Wandsworth local authority.
Residents are being invited to have their say on the plans for the CTR. The council says that the proposed change will reduce the impact of income fluctuations within a household, be clearer and easier to understand for residents and to protect the most vulnerable residents by reducing bills.
Alongside the proposal, the Council has frozen the main element of Council Tax this year and launched a £10 million fund, the biggest in London, to help residents with increased bills.
Angela Ireland, Cabinet Member for Finance, said that this year the CTR scheme reduced bills to zero for almost ten thousand vulnerable households.
“We want to build on that and make sure our scheme is future proofed to enable more people to plan ahead with their money whilst also having trust in the council that we are here to help them when it matters.
“This consultation will give the people of Wandsworth a good opportunity to help shape the Council Tax Reduction Scheme moving forward and we encourage residents to have their say.
“We want to look after those most vulnerable in our community by making the process more transparent and simpler to understand, whilst providing additional support to households who are financially vulnerable.
“By doing this, we will continue to take steps towards becoming a fairer and more compassionate borough.
“We hope the outcome of the consultation will give residents certainty and protection of current support levels.”
The proposals are open for public feedback until 15 November 2023.
Take part in the consultation
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