• Review taking place for all residents claiming the 25% single person council tax discount
• Council appointed Northgate to deliver the review
• Review expected to complete by early 2025
Tamworth Borough Council is undertaking a review of all residents claiming the 25 per cent single person council tax discount in the borough.
The project, funded by Staffordshire County Council, is a countrywide review and expected to take until early next year to complete.
Northgate have been appointed to manage the review and are contacting those who claim a single person discount on their council tax to report any changes in their circumstances.
The council gives a 25% discount to more than 11,000 households where there is only one adult living at the property.
Northgate will work with credit reference agencies using data-matching technology, to identify where people are possibly claiming a discount on their council tax to which they are not entitled.
To report a change of circumstances, please complete: https://mytamworth.tamworth.gov.uk/do-it-online/contact-us/council-tax-… or to apply for single person please complete: https://mytamworth.tamworth.gov.uk/do-it-online/apply-for-it/council-ta….
If you have been awarded a discount you must notify the council tax team, within 21 days of any change in your circumstances which may affect your entitlement. Failure to do so may result in a penalty of up to £280.
Anyone living alone is eligible to claim a council tax discount, and we’re also encouraging anyone eligible who is not yet making a claim to register.
Applications for all council tax discounts must be made in writing. If there is no discount showing on your bill, and you think you could qualify for one, please contact the council tax team for further advice and information, with your name, address, account number, phone number and email address. You can email counciltax@tamworth.gov.uk.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Council taxpayers across Tamworth Borough Council who receive the single person discount on their council tax bill are checked from time to time to make sure their reductions are correct. This review forms part of the council’s measures to prevent and detect fraud.
“By reducing fraud, we can protect public finances and offer more support for the most vulnerable people living in our borough.
“Appointing an external company to conduct a full and thorough review, means our teams can prioritise and support those most impacted by the current cost of living crisis, and seek to make our local council tax reduction scheme easier for everyone eligible for this benefit.”
Notes:
Every council has their own local scheme to reduce council tax for people of working age on low incomes to help support the most vulnerable individuals and families in the borough.