Published: August 1, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea residents to have their say on council tax changes

Sedgemoor District Council is to ask residents in the Burnham-On-Sea area for their views on proposals to begin a new localised scheme for Council Tax Support.

Council Tax Benefit currently helps people on low incomes pay their Council Tax.

It is managed by local authorities and funded 100% by national government, however from April 2013 there will be a cut in the national funding of about 12.4%, resulting in Sedgemoor having to make up the difference.

Therefore, the district council is seeking to introduce a new local scheme. One proposal is to limit the maximum benefit a person can receive to 80%, a second is increasing non-dependant deductions, and a third proposal is to limit eligible liability to 80% of a Band C equivalent house.

Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The proposed new scheme has been developed to deliver fairness to those claiming benefit and to the taxpayer, protect the most vulnerable in our society and create the right incentives to get more people into work by ensuring that work always pays."

To give your opinions on the plans, request a paper copy from 0845 408 2540 or see www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/counciltaxbenefitreform. The consultation runs from 9th August until 5th October.

Open days will also be held in Burnham on Thursday 30th August from 5pm-8pm at The Princess and on Friday 14th September from 2pm-5pm when more information will be available.