RESIDENTS are being asked to give their views on how much a council tax relief fund that helps some of the poorest residents in Wyre Forest should be cut by in the face of budget pressures.

Wyre Forest District Council is asking people to take part in a consultation by answering a questionnaire on its Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS).

The scheme gives help to working age people on a low income to pay their council tax bill. The authority has to review the scheme each year and is looking to make changes to it.

Savings made as a result will go towards the council’s overall target of saving around £1m over the next three years.

At the moment people can claim up to 90 per cent of their bill, which means they have to pay at least 10 per cent. One of the proposals is to change the minimum amount someone has to pay.

The Council is asking people whether they think it should change and, if so, whether the minimum paid by working age people should be 15 percent or 20 percent.

Another suggestion is to change the amount of savings people are allowed to have whilst still being entitled to apply for the scheme. At present, anyone who has savings and investments of more than £16,000 is not entitled to a reduction.

The survey is asking whether people think this should be reduced. The authority also provides a Council Tax Support Fund, to make sure the most vulnerable people are protected and residents are being asked whether they feel the fund should be continued.

Councillor Sara Fearn, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Transformation and Change said: “The Council Tax Reduction Scheme helps the poorest residents in our communities by reducing the amount of council tax they have to pay.

“The amount of help we give is based on a claimant’s financial situation. We are reviewing the way we run the scheme and considering changing some of its features.

“The Council has a difficult financial situation to manage over the next three years and will have to make savings of £1m. Part of this could come from making a small reduction to the amount of help provided to residents through the scheme.”

Councillor Fearn added: “It is a complex issue and we have fully explained the various options in the questionnaire.

“It really is important that people read the background information and then have their say on the scheme. It can be completed online or paper versions of the survey will be available from the Worcestershire Hub.”

People can take part by visiting www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/CTRS between July 6 and September 27 2015.

Any decision to change the scheme must be agreed by full Council by 31 January 2016 and they would be implemented in April 2016.