Residents invited to have their say on proposed changes to Council Tax Reduction Scheme
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Residents are being encouraged to take part in a consultation on proposed changes to Walsall Council’s Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme.
Council Tax Reduction helps people on low incomes pay their council tax. The current scheme for working-age residents was introduced in 2022 and is now being reviewed to ensure it remains fair, easy to understand and financially sustainable.
The consultation opens on Thursday 24 September 2026 and will run until Wednesday 21 October 2026.
“ We know many households continue to face financial pressures, which is why it’s important that we hear directly from residents before any decisions are made.
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme provides important support to residents on low incomes, and this consultation gives people the opportunity to tell us what they think about the options being considered.
All responses will be reviewed before any final proposal is considered by Cabinet and Full Council. “
Since the scheme was introduced, there have been changes to benefits, household incomes and the cost of living. There have also been legal changes affecting how some Universal Credit (UC) payments should be treated. As a result, the council is reviewing the scheme to ensure it remains up to date and sustainable for the future.
Residents, whether they currently receive Council Tax Reduction or not, are invited to take part in the consultation and share their views on three options being considered.
· Option one: keep the current scheme – this would keep the current income-banded scheme with only a small change to how one part of Universal Credit is treated.
· Option two: this option would only used earned income when assessing support and would introduce a £10 weekly non-dependent deduction where appropriate. To keep costs affordable, the maximum reduction available would reduce from 75 per cent to 70 per cent.
· Option three: this option would only use earned income when assessing support, keep the maximum reduction at 75 per cent, and introduce a flat-rate £10 weekly non-dependant deduction where appropriate.
The consultation will run for four weeks. Current CTR recipients will be invited to take part via SMS or email where contact details are available. The council is also considering contacting a random sample of claimants for whom it does not hold a mobile phone number or email address.
Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting www.go.walsall.gov.uk/CTR-review. Paper copies and alternative formats will also be available for anyone who may need additional support to take part.
For information in an accessible format, including Easy Read, large print, audio, or community languages, please email consultations@walsall.gov.uk or call 01922 650 000.
Once the consultation closes, all responses will be reviewed before a final proposal is considered by Cabinet and Full Council.
For more information about Council Tax Reduction and other council tax discounts, reductions and exemptions, visit www.go.walsall.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-discounts-reductions-and-exemptions.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
· The Council Tax Reduction Scheme provides financial support to eligible low-income households to help pay their council tax.
· The consultation will run from Thursday 24 September 2026 to Wednesday 21 October 2026.
· Responses received during the consultation will help inform recommendations on the future of the scheme. · Further information is available at www.go.walsall.gov.uk/CTR-review.
Press contacts:
Walsall Council Communications team – communications@walsall.gov.uk Becky Read – Senior Communications and Marketing Executive – becky.read@walsall.gov.uk | 07920 675 636
