The council is legally required to consult on any alterations to the scheme for working-age applicants, which is set to begin on 1 April 2027. Key proposals include raising the maximum support level for the lowest-income working-age households from 78% to 86.5%, thereby reducing their minimum contribution from 22% to 13.5%.
Further aims of the proposed changes are to simplify the scheme, making it more accessible, particularly for Universal Credit claimants. The council also intends to reduce the frequency of changes to Council Tax Support awards and bills that result from minor, regular fluctuations in Universal Credit payments. Disabled applicants, carers, families, and war pensioners will continue to receive protection under the revised scheme, alongside efforts to reduce administrative costs.
Pension Age applicants are unaffected by these proposals as they are part of the national scheme. Council Tax Support is a discount designed to assist individuals on low incomes with their council tax bills, with the discount level determined by household income.
The council introduced a revised scheme in 2026 to achieve financial savings while maintaining resident support. The focus for 2027 is on further streamlining the scheme to enhance administrative efficiency and improve the customer experience. The current means-tested calculation is noted as complex due to frequent changes in Universal Credit awards, which can lead to revised bills and instalment changes, difficulty in understanding entitlements, extensive paperwork requirements, and collection challenges.
Responses must be received by 19th November 2026 at 5pm.
The council encourages residents to read the proposed scheme document and submit their views. Comments can be emailed or sent by post to Warrington Borough Council, Council Tax Support Scheme 2027-28, East Annex, Town Hall, Sankey Street, WA1 1UH.
