Budget cuts planned for next year mean some of the poorest residents in Bristol could have to pay more in council tax. Over 22,000 working-age households currently qualify for Council Tax Reduction, but City Hall chiefs want to cut £3 million from this scheme.
Bristol City Council will consult the public over the summer on the cuts. Options include maintaining the current levels of support, reducing the help available with means testing, and introducing a banded scheme providing different levels of support depending on incomes.
A consultation begins in July looking at how the scheme could change from next April. This year the scheme will cost £43.4 million, which covers the council tax bills of 32,700 households, including 22,700 of working age. The proposals in the consultation would only impact those of working age, and not the 10,000 old enough to receive a pension.
