Council Tax Reduction Scheme

    Somerset Residents are being encouraged to have their say on possible changes to a scheme that gives financial support to working age adults on low incomes.

    In November 2023, Somerset Council declared a financial emergency due to increasing costs of providing key services and agreed to a number of actions to reduce spending. This included a commitment to consult with the public on potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Council Tax Reduction is a discount offered for Council Tax payers on low incomes. 

    The proposed changes would only apply to working age adults, the support provided for pensioners would not be affected. The options for consideration include reducing the maximum available discount from 100% to 75%.

    Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans says they have no choice but to consider all available options to cut spending, due to the poor state of the Council’s finances. Any decision to reduce the discount available to qualifying council tax payers will not be taken lightly and ask that as many people as possible take part in the consultation so the Council can consider every impact before any decisions are made.

    To have your say or find out more about the proposals, go to the Somerset Council website.

    The consultation runs until October First, with any decisions taking place later in the year and any changes coming into effect from 1 April 2025.

    More from Community & Charity News

    • Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

      Monday 10th to Sunday 16th February 2025

    • Cold Weather Scam

      Criminals are exploiting the cold weather, sending fraudulent texts on winter fuel payments to people in Somerset.

    • Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

      Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th February 2025

    • Headlights

      Experts have warned that motorists are at risk of a fine of £1,000 for flashing their headlights at other drivers.

    • Yeovil Country Park

      Improvements are being carried out to the pedestrian and cycling pathway, linking Pen Mill railway station with nearby Yeovil Country Park.

    • NHS Somerset

      People who regularly attend A&E at Somerset’s hospitals are getting additional help to find services that better meet their needs.

    • Recycling Changes

      Somerset businesses are being reminded of their new responsibilities as the government brings in new legislation around waste and recycling.

    • Dog DNA

      Avon and Somerset Police are encouraging dog owners to protect their pets from theft by entering their details into a DNA doggy database.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    • Chard

      Sunny

      High: 7°C | Low: 1°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny

      High: 7°C | Low: 1°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    Recently Played