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Subject to approval as part of next month’s council budget:
- Over 8,300 people who receive council tax support in North Somerset will automatically get a further £25 discount from their 2023/24 council tax bill
- Around 1,000 people who receive housing benefit but not council tax support will also receive a £25 discount
- A further 3,000 households who have children receiving free school meals but don’t receive council tax support will automatically get a discount of £22.16.
The discounts will be funded from North Somerset Council’s allocation of £310,960 from the government’s national Council Tax Support Fund.
Cllr Ash Cartman, Executive Member for Corporate Services at North Somerset Council said: “We know bills are still rising and times are tough. We’re all having to make difficult decisions to make our finances stretch further. That’s why I’m pleased we’ve been able to propose a £310,960 package of support which will help our most vulnerable – those on council tax support, housing benefit and to families who receive free school meals. Unfortunately, we cannot protect everybody from rising bills, but we can try to reach the individuals and families who most need our help.
“This support will go side by side with other help the council has provided to residents over the last year during the cost of living crisis. This includes Household Support Fund grants totalling just under £4m, food vouchers, over 75 community living rooms as free places to keep warm this winter and welfare provision grants which help people in short-term financial crisis.”
If approved at Full Council on Tuesday 21 February, the council tax support discount will be automatically applied to those eligible in 2023/24 council tax bills.
For a round-up of advice and guidance about the cost-of-living crisis, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col. It includes help with bills, childcare costs, housing support as well as energy and heating advice.
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