Concerns Grow Over Potential Cuts to Council Tax Support in Gloucester

Residents of Gloucester are expressing concerns that a local council tax support scheme may be jeopardized due to an impending reorganisation of local government. Currently, the Gloucester City Council provides significant assistance to individuals of working age who are facing financial difficulties, offering reductions of up to 100 per cent on their council tax bills.

Approximately 5,164 individuals in Gloucester benefit from this support. In addition, 2,461 pensioners receive council tax assistance, which remains unaffected by the reorganisation as it is determined nationally by the government. However, the potential restructuring could impact the level of support available to working-age residents, raising fears about the future of the current scheme.

The reorganisation plan involves merging the county council with district councils, a move that has prompted conversations among local leaders. Declan Wilson, a member of the council’s resources cabinet, expressed his worries regarding the future of the support scheme. He noted, “What worries me is that Gloucester has a very good council tax support scheme for those who are really struggling. It’s the most generous of all the councils in Gloucestershire. If we were a single unitary authority, would that survive? I doubt if it would.”

A spokesperson for the city council confirmed that while local authorities are required to establish a council tax support scheme for working-age residents, the scheme for pensioners is determined by national guidelines. “The national scheme for pensioners offers up to 100 per cent support,” the spokesperson added.

As discussions progress, three options for the future of local government in Gloucestershire are expected to be submitted to the government. These proposals, developed collaboratively by Gloucestershire County Council and the six district authorities, include a single unitary authority, a split into eastern and western councils, or a Greater Gloucester unitary council alongside a separate unitary authority for the rest of the county.

Councillors are scheduled to discuss these options, with the final proposals required to be submitted to the government by November 28, 2023. A public consultation on these proposals is anticipated to take place early next year, followed by a decision from ministers during the summer regarding which option will be implemented in Gloucestershire.

According to the government’s current timetable, elections for the new council or councils would take place in May 2027, with the newly established authority expected to take over from the existing seven councils in April 2028. Details of the proposals, including a schedule of council meetings for discussions, can be accessed on the Future Gloucestershire: Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation platform.

As the conversation around local governance continues, the implications for council tax support remain a significant concern for many residents in Gloucester, highlighting the need for careful consideration of any changes that could impact their financial well-being.