District council consulting on future council tax discounts (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

District council consulting on future council tax discounts

7:40am Monday 8th October 2012 in News By William Tomaney

WYRE Forest District Council is seeking residents’ views about its options for council tax discount from April 2013 onwards.

Under new rules which come into play from April 2013, the national council tax benefit system will be replaced by local council tax support.

As well as having to create the local scheme, the district council’s funding from the Government for council tax support is being reduced by 10 per cent.

According to the council, this means a total reduction of £850,000 for Wyre Forest, of which £110,000 has to be found by the district council and the remainder by Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Conservative district councillor Nathan Desmond, cabinet member for resources and transformation, said: “All councils are facing tough choices as a result of the Government’s decision to end the national scheme.

“We are seeking views of local residents and other interested parties about its local scheme of discounts that will help working age people pay their council tax bills.

“We have set out our options and we want to know what local people think about them and to contribute their views to this important issue.

“I would encourage local residents to let us have their views on the options in the consultation paper.”

The council’s discount scheme and feedback from the consultation will be considered by cabinet and overview and scrutiny committee before full council takes a decision at its November meeting.

To have your say email counciltaxconsultation@wyreforestdc.gov.uk, visit the Worcestershire Hub at Kidderminster Town Hall or the council’s website at wyreforestdc.gov.uk The consultation closes on Monday, October 15.