Proposal for council tax reduction – opposed by Lib Dems

Councillor Allen Brett has proposed a reduction in council tax for poorer members of the borough

Council tax could be reduced under new proposals to help the poorer members of the borough – a move which has been controversially opposed by Rochdale Liberal Democrats.

Residents living in ‘Band A’ properties and claiming council tax relief could see their contribution to their council tax bills drop from 20% to 15%, in a bid to “help those who need it”.

Labour Councillor Allen Brett said: “This Labour proposal, which is currently out for consultation, is to help the poorest members of your community.

“It may only be one pound a week that they save, or a little over, but there are some people who would benefit from this. There are 14,000 people in our borough that are the poorest members of our community and although the savings don’t sound like a lot, it makes a difference.”

The proposal has been opposed by the Lib Dems.

Councillor Andy Kelly, leader of the local Lib Dems, said: “The local Council Tax Support Scheme is already very generous as many of our poorest get an 80% discount on their council tax.

“It's important to note that this change only affects residents of working age and not pensioners.

“Their figures don't add up either. They claim they'll pay for it by improving collection rates but provide no evidence that this small discount will do so. They also say they'll get money from 'pressures', without saying which services they'll cut or reduce.

“For that reason, I am against this proposal that will do virtually nothing to alleviate poverty in this borough.

“I support maintaining and improving access to the discretionary hardship fund so that we can target the poorest properly."