THE Forest of Dean District Council is encouraging residents to take part in a consultation on its Council Tax Support scheme for working-age residents.

The council said the consultation gives people the opportunity to share their views on the support available to help eligible households pay their council tax, and will help shape future decision-making.

It is open now until Wednesday, October 28 and seeks the views of residents on the advantages and challenges of each available option, including how they balance fairness, financial support, stability for households, and the need to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most.

Andy Moore, Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor, said: “As a council, we want to ensure that our residents have access to the support they need, should they need it.

"Council Tax Support provides an important safety net for many working-age households across the Forest of Dean, and we would like to make sure the scheme continues to meet the needs of residents while remaining financially sustainable for the future.

“The consultation sets out three options for how Council Tax Support for working-age residents could be delivered in the future. The proposals consider different approaches to providing financial assistance for residents on low incomes, balancing the need to support vulnerable households with the financial pressures facing local government.

“The council is keen to understand how the various options could affect residents, and I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to look at the proposals and to share their views."

Residents are asked to share their thoughts on three options for the future of Council Tax Support for working-age households.

The first option would retain the current banded scheme, which provides stable and predictable support based on income ranges and means small changes in income are less likely to affect entitlement.

The second would introduce a taper scheme, where support is calculated using a household's individual income and circumstances, potentially providing up to 100 per cent support for some residents and more accurately reflecting levels of need.

The third option combines elements of both approaches, retaining the banded system for most applicants while using a taper calculation for households receiving disability-related protection.

Council Tax Support provides financial assistance to residents on low incomes who may be struggling with the cost. Eligible owner-occupiers, tenants and other residents who are responsible for paying council tax can apply for support.

The council said it reviews its scheme regularly to ensure it continues to provide support to those who need it most while remaining fair, effective and sustainable.

Feedback from residents will play an important role in helping the council understand the potential impact of any proposed changes and ensure that local views are considered.

Residents can find out more information about the proposals and complete the survey online via the Forest of Dean District Council's consultation webpage.