Proposed changes to Calderdale's Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Please note: the survey has now closed. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to view results of the feedback in the survey.

Introduction

We are asking your views on proposed changes to Calderdale’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme from 2025/26.

• To have your say, you can complete our online survey using the link on this page. On a laptop or PC the link is on the right of your screen. On a tablet or phone, it is at the bottom of the screen.
• Alternatively, you can complete a paper survey (available in Calderdale libraries). Or you can download and print off a copy, using the link at the bottom of this page.
• Paper surveys can be posted or handed in to: Consultation Officer, Calderdale Council, Princess Buildings, Halifax, HX1 1TS. Or at your local library if you picked up your survey there. Surveys must be returned by 30 September 2024.

Data Protection

Survey responses will be collected and processed by Calderdale Council in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. For information, view or download our Privacy Notice.

Information to help you complete the survey

• You might want to read the following information about the proposed changes before completing the survey.
• Or read our Frequently Asked Questions document. View or download it using the link at the bottom of this page.

Why are we proposing the changes?

• Local government continues to face significant financial challenges. At Calderdale Council's budget setting meeting in February 2024, some savings proposals were agreed to balance the books.
• One of the required savings is to reduce spend on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme by £1 million from 1 April 2025.
• The scheme supports people on low incomes to pay their Council Tax by offering a discounted rate. The scheme has not changed since 2014/15 and now needs bringing up to date.
• Changes to the scheme require consultation before any decisions are made or changes introduced.

What is being proposed?

• Reducing the maximum discount provided by the scheme. This means some people would need to pay more towards their Council Tax from April 2025.
• Increasing the minimum award made so anyone eligible for less than £5.00 per week will not receive a discount.
• Removal of the second adult rebate.

Other changes being considered

Some other changes will be considered following decisions made by Cabinet about the proposals.

• Considering boosting support for financially vulnerable people struggling to pay their Council Tax. This would provide early help and advice.
• Considering introducing a Council Tax exemption scheme for care leavers in the future. This would help to prepare them for adulthood and independent living.
• Proposing further checks to ensure people claiming the single person's discount are still eligible. The discount reduces a single householder's Council Tax bill by 25%. There are no plans to remove this discount. However, if people are found to be claiming a discount they are not eligible for, their Council Tax payments will increase. This will make more money available to spend on vital Council services and support.

What are the options for consultation?

At the moment, the lowest amount a person contributes to their Council Tax is 19% of their total bill. This is an 81% discount on the full amount. We are asking for your feedback on three options. One of the options will be considered for approval by Cabinet in December 2024. The three options are:

• Increase the minimum required payment to 30% (a discount of 70%). This will enable us to achieve the savings needed to balance the budget.
• Increase the minimum required payment to 35% (a discount of 65%). This will enable us to provide additional advice and support for households facing the most challenging financial hardship. This includes support for care leavers.
• Increase the minimum required payment to 40% (a discount of 60%). This will enable us to invest in other Council priorities and protect some frontline services.

Discounts higher than 70% (or increasing the minimum required payment to less than 30%) would not achieve the £1 million budget saving.

Pension-age households eligible for Council Tax Reduction would not be affected by the changes. Pensioners on the lowest income will continue to receive discounts of up to 100% as before.

We are also asking for feedback on other proposals. These include:

• Increasing the minimum award made under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. This means anyone with eligibility of less than £5.00 per week would receive no discount.
• Removal of the second adult rebate. This is a discount for people who do not qualify for Council Tax Reduction. Currently, a 25% reduction in Council Tax is applied if there is another adult living in the house who meets certain criteria. This includes them being over 18, not paying rent, not the bill-payer's partner, not responsible for paying Council Tax and in receipt of certain benefits. Removal of this rebate means no discount would be awarded.

Your views will help inform decisions made by Cabinet in December 2024, when a recommended discount rate will be considered.

A summary of the results of this consultation will be published on this page in December.

For more information on Council Tax discounts and exemptions please visit Discounts and Exemptions on the Calderdale Council website.

Document links (paper survey and Frequently Asked Questions)