Helping the poorest members of society in Enfield

AVRUPA TIMES/ENFIELD-Residents are being asked for their views on changes proposed in the borough’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which is currently out to consultation.Enfield Council has been required by the Government to implement a local support scheme to help people on low incomes pay their Council Tax since 2012. Currently, the Council pays up to 73.5% of the Council Tax bills of some working age households, with the household paying a minimum of 26.5 per cent. 

In Enfield, 35,678 households currently receive some level of support under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme costing the Council around £32m per year.

If agreed, Enfield’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21 would see working age households minimum payment drop to 24.5 per cent, where they currently pay 26.5 per cent, of which

Some, not in receipt of Universal Credit, would see a decrease in their support due to the income taper increasing from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent 

Some in receipt of Universal Credit would not receive support where their net earned income is £1,100 or more a month.

The consultation can be found at https://new.enfield.gov.uk/consultations/2019-08-12-council-tax-reduction-scheme-for-202021/  and closes on 3 November.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement, Cllr Mary Maguire, said: “In common with many other local authorities across the United Kingdom, we have seen significant reductions in our funding from the government since 2010. 

“We have tried to protect Council Tax Support claimants from these reductions but we cannot keep our subsidies at their current level without significant cuts to services and/or increases in Council Tax in addition to the £18 million we have to make in 2019/20 and a further £12m in 2020/21. 
 
“Despite these funding reductions we want to strike a balance between providing an affordable scheme and giving those in most need some financial support. 
 
“We want to know what local people think of our proposals and the different options so I am urging people to take the time to complete the survey and tell us what they think.”