Council tax reduction scheme survey

Since 1 April 2013, all local authorities have been required to establish their own Council Tax support scheme for residents of working age who are on low incomes. In Bexley, this is called the Council tax reduction scheme (CTRS).

National regulations mean that the Council has to protect the Council Tax Reduction levels for those of state retirement age so that they receive no less financial support than they would have under the former Council Tax Benefit rules.

The Council has to set a balanced budget for each financial year, however there are many challenges ahead. The forecasted budget gap is set to reach £39.498m by 2027 to 2028 due to rising costs, pressures and demands on services and ongoing economic uncertainty.

There continues to be increasing spending pressures in a number of key services, including both Children and Adult Social Care, Special Education Needs Transport, Emergency Accommodation and other demand led services such as Parking and Waste services. The uncertainty around the state of the economy over the next few years will also have an impact.

The Council will receive information from the Government about local government funding and the level of grants from central government as part of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the 2025 Spending Review, and the local government finance settlement, and until that information is provided there is uncertainty over the resources available to the Council.

The impact of energy prices, inflation and interest rates has a direct impact on the Council, the amount we pay for services and the income we are able to collect. Our challenge is to continue to provide good quality and affordable public services, while balancing our income and spending levels in the current challenging circumstances. As such, the Council now needs to consider whether changes need to be made to the working age Council Tax Reduction Scheme in order to provide a scheme which provides a reasonable level of support to residents, whilst taking into account the budgetary position.

In order to help people gain employment/get back into employment, the Department for Work and Pensions provides various types of support via the Jobcentre Plus network. Details of support available can be found at help with moving from benefits to work.

The Government also expanded support with childcare costs from this year to help parents who are working. Check you're eligible for free childcare if you're working.

Have your say

The Council is seeking your opinions on potential changes to the current scheme. Bexley is keen to receive views from residents, local voluntary and welfare organisations, landlords, and other interested parties regardless of whether they currently claim Council tax reduction scheme or not. The information you provide will be treated confidentially and used solely by the Council.

Details of the current scheme can be found on the Bexley website. Read this webpage before answering the questions in our survey.

Please ensure you submit your response by the deadline of 30 October 2024.

The information you provide will be treated confidentially and used solely by the London Borough of Bexley. The final decision on the scheme will be made by the Council no later than 5 March 2025, and details will be made available on the Council’s website.