Still time to have your say on Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Arun District Council continues to seek the public’s views on whether to change the Council Tax Reduction scheme (CTR) for working age applicants in the district.

This year the Council has decided changes should be considered to bring the CTR in line with Government changes to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. Arun is currently consulting residents effected by the proposed changes.

Over the past two years direct financial support to Arun from the Government has reduced significantly and the reduction in this grant means there is less money available not only to help towards the CTR scheme, but also towards supporting the cost of delivering the many other services Arun provides.

Making savings through reducing the amount of help provided by the CTR scheme help are essential if the Council is to have sufficient funding to continue to deliver the large range of high quality services to the public.

Councillor Dudley Wensley, Arun District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance, said: “Tax payers have a right to expect excellent customer service being provided at best value and Arun is working hard to achieve and sustain this.

“Any savings that the Council makes on the CTR scheme could be invested into the other services Arun provides which may in turn reduce the likelihood of Council Tax increases and mean that residents across the district benefit.

“The Council has to make the right decision which is why it is so important the consultation questionnaire is completed.”

The consultation can be completed online where a link to the questionnaire and a document containing background information can be found when visiting the consultation page.

The deadline for comments is Sunday, 16 October.