Struggling families could be getting more help with their council tax payments thanks to a new scheme.
Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show that 25% of children in South Holland are living in households with relatively low incomes – highlighting the financial problems faced by some families.
South Holland District Council’s cabinet has agreed to increase the amount of support it offers to households with children from a 75% discount to 85% – the final decision will not be approved until the new year.
Up to 25% of children in South Holland live in low income households Photo: iStock
However, the proposal has received an objection from Lincolnshire County Council, stating that the change ‘would reduce the income LCC receives which in turn reduces the available budget for spending on its services’.
Other modifications include removing the earnings disregard from Universal Credit claimants, introduce a standard £10 rate for non-dependant deductions, returning the lower and upper capital limits to £6,000 and £16,000, increase the threshold for changes for Universal Credit cases to £30 per week (£130 per month), with discretion, uprate the 2025/26 scheme in line with DWP uprating.
It is also looking to introduce a Discretionary Exceptional Hardship Fund scheme.
Coun Nick Worth in Spalding town centre
The cost of the scheme is estimated to be £45,000 which would be funded by: £4,400 by the district council, £34,000 by the county, and £6,500 by the police and crime commissioner.
Coun Nick Worth said: “There were objections from the council around the (Council Tax Support) increase from 75% to 85% as Coun Redgate has indicated the cost to Lincolnshire County Council would be £34,000 the increase they will get from scheme homes income will more than adequately compensate them for that.
“I don’t have a problem supporting households with children, we have quite a large amount in South Holland and they are struggling. I think it is a good thing to be doing.”
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