Keynsham people invited to have their say on council tax changes

Keynsham people are invited to have their say over proposed changes to the new council tax support scheme that's due to start from next April.

The Government is abolishing council tax benefit and will provide grants to local councils to design their own systems for rebating council tax to low income households.

National funding for council tax support is being cut by 20 per cent, equivalent to £1.5 million for Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Cllr David Bellotti, the council's cabinet member for community resources, said, "Our proposals for consultation aim to protect the most vulnerable people and do not affect pensioners or council tax discounts, such as single person discounts.

"Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to hear the views of all local residents about the proposals to develop a fair system in response to this new Government legislation."  

The key points of the local changes are:

• Support will be paid up to a maximum of around 80 per cent of a Band D property bill, regardless of whether the property is in a higher band. Currently up to 100 per cent of council tax bills can be paid by the benefit.
• People with capital/savings of more than £6,000 won't be eligible for council tax support. Previously this was £16,000.This does not include the value of the property you are living in.
• Non-dependant deductions will be removed – this will benefit parents with young adults in the household as their contribution won't be considered when calculating council tax support. Child benefit and child maintenance will be considered as income when calculating support.

Consultation is taking place until October 2. Any resident without the internet at home can access the consultation for free via the council's self-service PCs available at the Keynsham Riverside offices and at Keynsham Library.

Find out more details on the proposals