Council Tax Support scheme set to remain unchanged

30 Oct 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Council tax support is set to remain unchanged in Northumberland next year – and the county’s scheme will still be one of the most generous in the region.

Cabinet are being asked to continue to provide support for 2024-25 at a maximum level of 92% of council tax liability and if they agree they will recommend Full Council approve the support scheme.

By law a local Council Tax Support Scheme for pensioners and working age claimants needs to be agreed by 31 January 2024. Pensioners will continue to be eligible up to a maximum of 100% of their council tax liability.

Last year the Council Tax Scheme had a maximum level of support for working age claimants of 92% - the same figure agreed for this year. This means that all working age claimants pay a minimum of 8% of their property’s council tax charge.

The cost of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023-24 is forecast to be just short of £27m.

In Northumberland there are currently 24,840 Council Tax Support claimants. This is made up of 9,856 who are of pensioner age and 14,984 who are working age.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said: “Once again our scheme is set to remain unchanged in the year ahead, helping support thousands of people in the county.

“Of the 12 North East Local Authorities only Durham has a more generous council tax support scheme in place.”