Council to Consider Council Tax Support Renewal

South Tyneside Council supports thousands of people with their Council Tax every year.

The Council will consider a package of continued support to eligible households when it meets next week (Thursday 23 January).

The local Council Tax Reduction Scheme gives a Council Tax discount to eligible households who are on lower incomes in South Tyneside.

The scheme was revised last year, and the Council introduced an income banded scheme from 1st April 2024. The new banded scheme is easier to understand, offers greater financial assistance to customers and targets council support at the residents that need it the most in a bid to reduce inequalities and make things fairer.

Customers fall into one of five groups based upon income levels and the amount of support that they are awarded is clearly linked to each group.

Care leavers in South Tyneside continue to be exempt from council tax up to the age of 25 while pensioners are eligible for national support.

Cllr Jane Carter, Lead Member for Governance, Finance and Corporate Services at South Tyneside Council said: "18,000 households across South Tyneside get financial assistance with their Council Tax every year. Of that, around 11,000 working age customers benefit from the Council's local scheme which offers up to 90 per cent discount for those who need our support the most.

"Our local scheme is about having a fair and transparent council tax support system that is easier to both understand and administer.

"We know that people are still facing intense financial pressures, and we will continue to support those individuals wherever we can. Our ambition of targeting support to make things fairer underpins everything we do and is a fundamental driver to our financial decision making."

Despite limited finances the Council has been working hard to make sure that every penny counts, and that finances and resources are targeted in the right way to try and reduce inequalities across the borough.

The local scheme does not apply to claimants of pensionable age who will remain eligible for up to 100 per cent of support towards their council tax liability. The allowances, premia and deductions applied to assess entitlement continue to be set by Government for claimants within that group.

The estimated cost of the scheme (including support to those of pensionable age) is around £19m per annum.

For more information about Council Tax, the support scheme and how to apply go to www.southtyneside.gov.uk/counciltax