Council Tax support to increase for vulnerable residents for 2025/26

Following a public consultation, Horsham District Council is changing the support it gives to vulnerable residents to help them pay their Council Tax.

At a meeting of full Council on 11 December, councillors voted unanimously to pay 100% of the Council Tax due for the most low-income taxpayers of Horsham District, an increase from the current 90% discount.

Other changes to elements of the means tested criteria within the Council Tax Reduction Scheme have also been agreed which will benefit eligible residents.

Currently, the Council only helps residents up to a sum equivalent to the Council Tax of a property valued at Band D, going forward this will be increased to Band E. The Council has also increased the limit on the savings people can have before it will help them, from £6,000 to £10,000.

The main updates to the Scheme will be implemented on 1 April 2025.

Welcoming the changes, Horsham District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Cllr Mark Baynham said:

“In response to the cost-of-living crisis and the severe financial situations that some of our residents are facing, we have decided to increase the discount level applied to this Scheme, amongst other benefits.

"This action delivers on our Council Plan priorities of helping people through the cost of living crisis, improving vulnerable residents' access to benefits and ensuring that as a Council, we are always listening, learning and improving."

“We have listened to the public feedback and taken the necessary steps to help improve outcomes to support our most vulnerable residents.

“Thank you to those who responded to our survey, your views really do count and have helped us to help those in need in our community in the best ways possible.” ​