Redditch people invited to have their say on possible council tax changes (From Redditch Advertiser)

Redditch people invited to have their say on possible council tax changes

10:10am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

REDDITCH residents are being urged to have their say on possible changes to council tax benefits.

Over the last year the Government has reviewed the amount allocated nationally to council tax benefit, resulting in a 10 per cent reduction in the amount they will give Local Authorities to fund council tax benefit.

This cut will impact on all the organisations that provide services that are funded by council tax, with reductions in funding for police, the fire service, county council, and the borough council.

Redditch Council is looking at ways to reduce the impact of these cuts. To enable it to offset the reduction there are a number of proposals put forward.

These include a reduction in council tax discount currently available for empty properties, council tax discount to be limited to the value of a Band D property, full council tax to be payable on second homes and no discount on long term empty properties.

The consultation will run until 30 November 30. The survey is available at redditchbc.gov.uk or call 01527 64252 for a hard copy or visit the town hall customer service centre.