Council tax relief to be discussed by local leaders in Suffolk
A relief scheme could be extended
Leaders at a Suffolk council are due to discuss extending a council tax relief scheme.
The Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS), has been put in place by several of the county’s councils to help struggling residents and encourage people back into work.
On Tuesday next week, members of East Suffolk’s cabinet will be discussing the extension of the scheme into the next financial year ahead of setting their budget.
Since the 2022/23 financial year, thousands of residents have been able to get up to 91.5 per cent of their council tax taken off their bill — this could now be taken into next year for around 7,765 working-age residents.
Council papers state an option to provide relief for 100 per cent of a claimant’s council tax, or around £117 extra support, was also considered but not recommended.
This was due to the pressure it would place on the council’s finances and how it would ‘impinge on the ability of authorities to assist in other areas’.
Papers also stress a ‘wide range of other measures’ are in place to support affected households.
A further option to increase the scheme to cover 95 per cent of the bill was also considered but also not recommended for the same reasons.
Other Suffolk councils will also be considering their version of the scheme in the coming months.