Newcastle

For our Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2018/19 we are consulting on two options, including an income-banded scheme which will offer greater support for low income families and gives stability to those whose income fluctuates on a regular basis.    We are consulting on the following options: Option 1 - No change to the main principles of our current scheme, where all working-age people receive maximum support on 85% of their Council Tax liability. This means that all working-age people will need to pay 15% of their Council Tax before they are entitled to Council Tax Reduction.Option 2 - Change in how the scheme is administered: we propose to change the scheme to an income-banded scheme which is simpler to administer and easier for customers to understand, as well as offering more support to lower-income families and giving stability to people whose wages fluctuate each month. This scheme moves away from the complex means test that exists in our current Council Tax Reduction scheme. Plus the introduction of a flat rate non-dependant charge, reduction of capital limit from £16,000 to £6,000 and increase the period for backdating of claims from 4 weeks to 6 months, where there is good cause. You can read more information about this here: Council Tax Reduction summary 2018. More information about this can be found online here: Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2018/19. Please give us your views on these proposals by completing the survey below before 13 December 2017. You can also email us at: letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk. Thank you for giving us your views.