Tax relief scheme expanded in Wolverhampton

Members of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet agreed to several changes to the council tax discretionary discount scheme (CTDDS) at a meeting on May 26.

The alterations mean more people who previously didn’t meet the criteria will be helped as a result of the revised policy.

A report to committee said the estimated cost of the changes will be £100,000 per year and will be initially funded from what is left of a £3.27 million council tax Covid hardship pot it was given by the Government.

To date, £3.1 million has been spent. Council bosses said they would look to include the ongoing cost of the revised CTDDS scheme in the annual budget.

Leader Ian Brookfield said: “There are times in people’s lives – actually haven’t we all just gone through one and are still going through one – where people may need a bit of extra help.

“You could have been on furlough and only receiving 80 per cent of your finances, you could have other pressures on your budgets whether that be fuel poverty, help with food and prices continue to rise.

“What we’re proposing are changes to the scheme to support residents who fall outside the normal criteria but who are suffering financial hardships.

“Backdating is an important thing. This is recognising the fact if you apply today, you might have been suffering for two, three or four months.

“Also, we’re looking at expanding the period in which discretionary discount can be given beyond within the existing financial year.

“There are other options. We could have made no change but that’s not us in Wolverhampton. We want to look after as many people as we can and take everyone with us.”

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre added: “I realise we’re not legally obligated to do this but we are in fact, if we are a caring, decent democratic society morally impelled to put this forward.

“Since 2015, the figures for child poverty have gone up by 15 per cent. There are over 6,000 children known to be living in poverty.

“Child poverty doesn’t just mean they’re not getting enough to eat. There is a clear causal link between poverty and educational achievement.”

Following the meeting, Councillor Paul Appleby, vice chairman of the vibrant and sustainable city scrutiny panel, said: “The Conservative Group welcomes this change to the scheme.

“Widening the scope to support those suffering exceptional misfortune that is out of their control is the right thing to do and I am pleased that the Government have provided funding that has allowed the council to make this change.”