Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025/26

Arun District Council is looking to revise its Council Tax Reduction scheme within the Council’s area from 2026/27. The reason for the change is to correct issues with the current scheme and to provide more support to those on the lowest incomes.

Experience has shown that leaving the scheme the same will have an adverse effect on both taxpayers claiming Council Tax Reduction and overall collection levels.

Key Proposed Changes:

• 100% support for households with the lowest income (up from 90%)
• Full disregard of all Armed Forces pensions and compensation payments to help our veterans.
• Support for UC claimants: disregard the Limited Capability for Work element
• Support for carers: disregard Carers Allowance and the Carers element of Universal Credit.
• Lower minimum payment threshold from £5.00 to £1.00.

Details of the changes are designed to:

• support the most vulnerable including those unable to work or who have caring responsibilities.
• assist in the overall administration of claims; and
• assist in the collection of Council Tax.

It should be noted that the Council's Council Tax Base continues to increase and this has been further enhanced by the introduction of empty homes premiums which can now be charged up to 300% and also the introduction of second home premium from 1st April 2025 which will be charged at 100% on all dwellings that are not a person's main residence but are furnished

A public consultation is now open with and we are inviting people to complete the online survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ARUNCTRFINAL/