Have your say on proposed changes to Council Tax Support

Residents are being asked for their views on possible changes to Cornwall Council’s Council Tax Support scheme for working-age households.Council Tax Support helps people on low incomes with the cost of their Council Tax. Around 19,000 working-age households in Cornwall currently receive support through the scheme.The Council is consulting on a range of options, including keeping the current maximum level of support at 75%, or reducing it to 70%, 65%, 60% or 55%.Pension-age residents would not be affected by the proposed changes.The consultation comes as the Council continues to face significant financial pressures, with the cost of providing key services rising.The working-age Council Tax Support scheme currently costs around £21 million a year and is expected to rise to around £22.2 million next year if no changes are made.Councillor Adam Paynter, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Finance, said: “Council Tax Support provides important help to thousands of households across Cornwall, and we know many of those receiving it are already managing on very limited incomes.“At the same time, the Council is facing significant financial pressures, and we have to look carefully at where savings can be made.“It’s important to stress that no decision has been taken – that’s why we’re carrying out this consultation. We want to understand what the different options would mean for people before councillors decide what happens next, so I would encourage residents to take part and tell us what they think.”The consultation runs until December 13, 2026. Feedback will be considered before Cabinet makes a recommendation to Full Council, which is expected to make the final decision in January.You can take part by visiting https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/council-tax-supportAny agreed changes would take effect from April 1, 2027.Published on October 19, 2026Source