Isle of Wight residents are being given a say on County Hall’s support scheme for low-income council taxpayers, in a public consultation.
Local Council Tax Support (LCTS), which helps around 9,500 Islanders, can currently provide up to a maximum 75% reduction on council tax bills, with assistance varying according to weekly income and household type.
The council is proposing to maintain ‘all aspects’ of the existing scheme, including the maximum support level and the Exceptional Hardship Policy (EHP).
Further assistance is available to council tax support applicants experiencing extreme financial hardship through the EHP.
Applicants that can receive a 75% discount at present include couples with children earning up to £315 per week, single people earning up to £95 per week and single parents with one child earning up to £180 per week.
Chris Ward, director of finance for the Isle of Wight Council said:
‘‘The LCTS scheme consultation is open to all Island residents, not just those in receipt of support currently.
“It is important that as many residents as possible register their thoughts through the consultation as the results will form part of the decision-making process for setting council tax and the overall council budget next year.
Article continues below this advertisement “This consultation is also running alongside our annual budget consultation. This will gather views from the public on the spending prioritisation of an already very limited budget.
“We understand the difficulties many are facing and want to help Island residents when and where possible.”
The consultation runs until 3rd November and can be accessed at www.iow.gov.uk/lctsconsultation.
criteria 1: Are you on benefits and have tattoos, and expensive phone and contract, if you answer yes, no help.
criteria 2: smoke and are on benefits, if you answer yes, no help.
criteria 3: if you are working on minimum wage, receiving NO benefits, if you answer yes, then you get the help.
What I am getting at here, is if you’re on benefits and taking the piss, then why should those on low wages, paying taxes etc, help you. Get a low paid job or any job and contribute. Simple.
Out of respect for the people who actually pay the full amount. What are council doing to collect unpaid Council Tax. That according to this paper was £6.9 million pounds last year and totals £22.5 million .
Or to keep it more relatable, just over £132000.00 per week.
A huge amount of money for a council, always bleating on, about being overbudget.
It is unjust to continually ignore this issue and just add it to next years bill.
Excellent point, Dicky. What we need is some sort of independent watchdog to be based at the council offices and with the powers to demand facts and figures, show up bad practices and make recommendations. I bet he or she would save many millions for a hundred or so k a year in wages, secretarial staff and overheads. He or she could also undertake projects querying suspect/controversial actions and spends like taxis for schoolchildren whose parents have a Motabilty car, the floating (sometimes) bridge etc. I’d do it, and await an invitation to a meet at head office.
Council tax is so out of date, it’s about time
the bandings were updated.
So many properties are worth much more now than when
the current bandings were put in place, also so many
homes have had various improvements etc carried out
over the years.
It also makes one wonder how many households claim that
only 1 person is living in an household so they receive a
discount.
Most unfair tax in the country!