IntroductionSouth Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is required by law to provide a Local Council Tax Support Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to help low-income households with the costs of their council tax bill.
The scheme is administered by the Council using rules which have been set locally. Underpinned by national legislation, support is focused on those facing financial hardship, with costs being met by SKDC and central government.
To help the Council determine how best to allocate/distribute its Council Tax Support from April 2026, we would like to know what you think of the key elements of our current scheme. These include:
- The principles of the scheme
- Council Tax technical restrictions (discounts and premiums)
- an exemption for young people leaving the care system
- a Special Constable Discount
- disregards of War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Payments
- an alignment of Capital Tariff and Disregard for pensioners
- a council tax second home premium
- a Discretionary Council Tax Payment Scheme
What is SKDC’s Council Tax Support Scheme?The Council Tax Support Scheme is a scheme operated by the Council which helps low-income households with the costs of their Council Tax. Introduced after the abolition of Council Tax Benefit in 2013, the scheme sets out the rules and principles that guide how discounts will be calculated and is reviewed annually. The amount of discount received is dependent on income, savings, council tax band and household circumstances and is applied as a reduction to Council Tax bills.
Why is SKDC consulting now?The Council is required by law to review its Council Tax Support Scheme every year. We must consult on the main elements of our scheme and any changes we are proposing.
Although it has already been agreed that the Council is not intending to make any changes to the current scheme for 2026/27, we still have to consult on the scheme. We also need to ensure that the scheme is approved by the 31st of January of the year to which the scheme applies.
How can I help? You can help by taking part in this consultation. Your comments will help to inform the decision SKDC councillors will make about the scheme early next year. This will give enough time for the proposed ‘no change’ scheme to be taken through the committee process and implemented for the start of the new financial year in April 2026.
When does this consultation start and finish?The consultation starts on 1st September 2025 and finishes on 30th September 2025.
I am a pensioner. Will I be affected by any of the proposals outlined in this survey?No, you shouldn’t be. We are consulting on a “no change scheme’’. This means there are no changes expected to the way your Council Tax Support is calculated. We would, however, still welcome any feedback you may have on the current scheme.
What happens next?Your views will be considered by the Council when they make the final decision about SKDC’s Council Tax Support Scheme in January 2026.
Please complete this survey by 30 September 2025. If you have any queries or need assistance completing this survey, please contact the Council on the details below.
Email: benefits@southkesteven.gov.uk
Phone: 01476 406080 and select benefits
All information will be held in confidence and in accordance with the Council’s Privacy Notice and General Data Protection Regulations, as part of the Data Protection Act 2018.
THANK YOUTHIS CONSULTATION CLOSES ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025 