Shock as Conservative Mayor plans £800 council tax bombshell for the worst off

• People in a band B property face £888 extra a year, or in band C an extra £1,149.
• Up until now, the Council Tax Reduction Scheme ensured that those most in need could access a discount of 100%
• Papers released for Wednesday 9th July's Executive reveal the planned details

Cllr Michael Headley (Lib Dem, Putnoe) said: “An extra bill for £800 or more would be devastating for many families. And it isn't a small number of people.  Over 7,000 households in our Borough are entitled to Council Tax reduction. This is truly a shocking proposal. Targeting those least well off whilst frittering money away on waste and vanity projects.”

“How are people on the lowest incomes going to find these extra costs from their budgets, still reeling under the cost of living crisis? Rather than control council costs and wasteful spending – their first choice is to cruelly balance the books on the backs of the poorest. I urge Conservatives to rethink this before it’s too late.”

Christine McHugh (Lib Dem, Goldington) added: “This isn’t even a real saving: chasing people who can’t afford Council Tax through the courts will end up costing more than it brings in. And even worse, the Conservatives are discussing outsourcing debt chasing. I was proud to be a part of introducing the Council’s Fair Debt Collection Policy over 20 years ago, and I am very worried if debt collecting and bailiffs move further from the Council’s influence. The Council would lose control of how residents are treated.”

ENDS

Notes

(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Executive, 09/07/2025 19:30  Item 15 (page 399 onwards)