Have a say on council tax scheme

Residents are being invited to have their say on a new council tax reduction scheme for North Yorkshire.

Council tax reduction is a discount that helps people on low incomes to pay their council tax bill.

From next April, there will be a new single council in North Yorkshire, replacing the seven district and borough councils and the county council.

Currently, the seven borough and district councils each have slightly different council tax reduction schemes.

By law, the new North Yorkshire Council must introduce a single scheme covering the whole of North Yorkshire.

The proposal is to introduce an income banded scheme that is more supportive, with the maximum level of reduction for the people most in need.

The changes to the council tax reduction scheme will affect working age households in North Yorkshire who will get council tax reduction from April 1, 2023.

Pension age households will not see any change as the scheme to support this group is set out by the Government. Most applicants will get the same support as they do now and many will be better off.

Although some households will have a little more to pay, the proposals set out plans for a hardship fund so that anyone affected who needs additional help will be supported.

People are invited to share their views on the proposed changes as part of a consultation.

Take part in the consultation and find more details at www. northyorks.gov.uk/ CouncilTaxReduction

The consultation will close at midnight on September 18, 2022. All comments and feedback will be considered in October, before a final decision is made in November.