Council Tax Support Scheme consultation launches

Council Tax Support Scheme consultation launches

An eight-week consultation has launched today (Monday) into proposed changes to the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme. 

Cabinet agreed to consult on the 2027/28 proposals at their meeting on 19 October.

Currently, working-age households who are not in employment can receive up to 70% Council Tax Support, and the proposal is to retain this maximum level of support.

For working-age customers who are employed, support levels would be reduced by 10% across all income bands.

The scheme would also introduce a Band C cap. This means the maximum amount of Council Tax Support a household could receive would be based on the Council Tax charge for a Band C property. 

Currently there are 6,562 working age households in Slough in receipt of CTS, out of 56,000 households in the borough which are liable for council tax. 

There would be no changes to the scheme for pensioners in 2027/28, as this is set nationally.

A letter will be sent to all impacted working age council tax support claimants, giving them details on the proposals and consultation.

Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for corporate resources, said: “The proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme are part of our wider review of spending as we work to put the council on a more financially sustainable footing.

“No final decision has been made. This consultation is an important opportunity to understand how the proposals could affect residents, particularly those on lower incomes, and what additional support may be needed. I would encourage anyone affected to take part and also give us their views on the future of the Council Tax Support Hardship Fund.”

The online survey is open until 20 December. 

As part of the consultation, staff will be attending a number of meetings with voluntary and community sector groups, to share the proposals.

Find FAQs on the Council Tax Support webpage. 

Responses to the consultation will help shape the Council Tax Support Scheme and Council Tax Hardship Fund for 2027/28.

If the proposed revised scheme came into place, it would deliver a total gross reduction in CTS expenditure of £0.661m. 

Results from the consultation will be analysed and another report will come back to Cabinet in January, with a recommendation to be made to full Council to agree a scheme by March.

Requests for hard copy versions and any queries can be sent to cts.consultation@slough.gov.uk