Introduction
The council prioritises support for residents who are most vulnerable and on the lowest incomes. Our aim is to help those who need it most. This forms part of our wider strategy to reduce poverty and to make sure the support and services we provide offer good value for money and are delivered responsibly.
From 1 April 2026 we have introduced a new banded Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age claimants. This approach is similar to schemes already used by many regional councils, and a large number of councils across the country have adopted this type of system.
The scheme has been developed in line with guidance from Central Government.
The banded scheme is easier to understand and simpler to administer. It clearly shows when you qualify for reduction and how changes in your income affect your reduction. Your entitlement will only change if your income moves into a different band, so there will be fewer updates to your bill. This also makes it clearer when you need to tell us about any changes to your income.