Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) is the way we help people on low incomes pay their Council Tax bill.
The scheme subsidises council tax payments for approximately 13,500 households and costs the council approximately £35.5 million per year.
About the consultation
The current scheme is due for review and the council is asking residents to have their say on possible changes.
Due to inflationary pressures and demands on services, the council is currently forecasting an overspend of £20.3 million on its £80 million annual revenue budget for the current financial year.
Proposals
- Proposal 1 - Keep the current scheme in place as it is
- Proposal 2 - All working age households will pay at least 25% of their council tax bill
- Proposal 3 - All working age households will pay at least 15% of their council tax bill
- Proposal 4 - Reduce administration costs
The two options for changes to the CTRS could, if implemented, reduce the cost of the scheme by up to £4.33 million per year whilst still providing support for our most vulnerable residents and making sure support is affordable and realistic.
Our current scheme offers more support than any other authority in West Yorkshire. Even with the proposed changes, it will be better than or in line with others.
Have your say
The consultation will run for 8 weeks from 16 August 2023 and will close at midnight on 11 October 2023.
Comment on the proposals
Fill in our simple online form.
Clock Completing this form takes around 5 minutes
Comment onlineAfter you have commented
The information collected will be used by the council to assist in making its decision on the changes to the scheme from 1 April 2024.
Affected households
Working age households within Kirklees who currently receive or will, in the future, apply for a Council Tax Reduction.
Pension age households will not be affected as Central Government prescribes their scheme.
How the scheme might operate under each proposal
A couple are married with one child. They live in a Band B property. The couple are not in a protected group.
Their income is made up of Universal Credit and Child Benefit.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is currently £26.79 for anyone not entitled to a reduction.
After the current council tax reduction is applied, their council tax liability is £6.25 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £7.81, an increase of £1.56 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £4.69, a decrease of £1.56 per week.
A couple are married with one child. One of the couple are disabled and receives the enhanced rate personal independence payment for both daily living and mobility.
Their income is made up of Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and personal independence payment.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is currently £26.79 for anyone not entitled to a reduction.
After the current council tax reduction is applied, their council tax liability is £0.00 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £7.81, an increase of £7.81 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £4.69, an increase of £4.69 per week.
The protection they receive under the current scheme recognises the disability, the current scheme treats them differently and more generously than the couple in scenario 1 because of the disability. None of the schemes take into account the disability income, in the means test.
A single parent has two children and lives in a Band A property. The children are under the age of 5 therefore the parent is currently in a protected group.
The household income, comprises Universal Credit and Child Benefit.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is currently £20.09
After the current council tax reduction is applied, the council tax liability is £0.00 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £5.02, an increase of £5.02 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £3.01, an increase of £3.01 per week.
A single parent has two children and lives in a Band A property. The children are over the age of 5 and therefore the parent is not in a protected group.
The household income, comprises Universal Credit and Child Benefit.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is £20.09
After the current council tax reduction is applied the council tax liability is £4.02 under the existing scheme.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £5.02, an increase of £1.00 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £3.01, a decrease of £1.01per week.
The Council Tax Payee is single, disabled and lives in a Band A property. They receive the enhanced rate personal independence payment for both daily living and mobility and so are in a protected group.
The household income, comprises Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is £20.09.
After the current council tax reduction is applied, the council tax liability is £0.00 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £5.02, an increase of £5.02 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £3.01, an increase of £3.01per week.
The Council Tax Payee is single and lives in a Band A property.
The household income, comprises Universal Credit.
The maximum weekly council tax liability is £20.09.
Their weekly council tax liability after reduction is £4.02.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 25% of liability then they would pay £5.02, an increase of £1.00 per week.
If the scheme changes so that the maximum support is limited to 15% of liability then they would pay £3.01, a decrease of £1.01per week.
Support for those who are struggling
There are provisions that allow discretion to further reduce the Council Tax charge in cases of severe hardship. The authority has a policy in place to assist in such cases.
For information on help that is available see: Cost of living support
If you know anyone who does not have access to the internet
They can comment online at the following locations during opening hours:
- Batley Library
- Birstall Library
- Cleckheaton Library
- Dewsbury Customer Service Centre
- Dewsbury Library
- Holmfirth Library
- Heckmondwike Library
- Huddersfield Customer Service Centre
- Mirfield Library
- Rawthorpe & Dalton Library
- Kirkgate Buildings
If you or anyone you know would like to comment using a paper form please contact the Benefits line:
- Phone 01484 414950 - Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:45pm