Source: City of Plymouth
Plymouth’s new Council Tax and benefits champion is urging people to give their views on the Government’s proposals to change key elements of how the tax is administered and collected.
Councillor Lewis Allison, who has been appointed to support Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance, is championing Council Tax and benefits matters, says it is likely many people will welcome the proposals and is encouraging them to help shape the final changes.
The Government’s proposals include:
- Moving Council Tax payments from 10 to 12-month instalments by default, to spread payments over a longer period.
- Improving the transparency of bills so residents can see what their Council Tax is being spent on and ensure households know about the support they are eligible for.
- Changing the outdated title of the Severe Mental Impairment ‘disregard’ to Severe Cognitive Impairment and amending its definition to encourage more eligible people to make use of it.
- Listening to views on how the ‘disregards’ for care workers and apprentices and how they can be improved.
- Making it easier to challenge the Council Tax band your home has been allocated.
- Ensuring the action taken by councils to recover unpaid Council Tax is proportional and sympathetic to those in hardship through proposed changes such as amending the time before councils request a full-year’s bill or seek a liability order, as well as views on capping the cost of liability orders.
Councillor Allison said: “The Government has recognised that the rules around Council Tax are outdated and wants to hear views on its proposals to modernise them. I’m sure some of the proposals – such as the ability to spread payments over 12 months – will be welcomed by many taxpayers but it is important that they hear from as many people as possible to help get this right.
“The consultation is also asking for views on how councils deal with non-payment of Council Tax. While we have a duty as a council to collect the Council Tax that households owe and aim to firmly deal with deliberate tax avoidance, we are also acutely aware of the real financial pressures many households are under.
“We already promote the support that is available for those who are struggling with their payments and always urge anyone in difficulty to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
“We would like to see a national framework that helps councils take a consistent approach to maximising collection rates without practices that make matters worse for those who are genuinely struggling. The proposed changes would allow us to support residents more than we are currently allowed to.”
The Government’s consultation run until 12 September 2025. You can give your views on the Government website.