Lib-Dems make case for hardship fund
Date published: 29 October 2013
LIBERAL Democrats are calling for more help with council-tax support for the borough’s poorest residents.
Party leaders have written to the borough treasurer about Oldham’s council-tax support scheme.
The Lib-Dems say they welcome a proposal to increase the level of support to the poorest taxpayers — presently capped at 75 per cent of the bill for those in Band A properties.
This means every council taxpayer, regardless of circumstances, will pay at least a quarter of the tax.
Coupled with an increase in council tax bills of 3.7 per cent from April of this year, the Lib-Dems claim Oldham’s council-tax support scheme is “the most draconian” in Greater Manchester.
The party suggests the Oldham scheme isn’t generous enough because it is based upon a theoretical 50 per cent council-tax collection rate rather than the current 70 per cent.
Councillor Howard Sykes, Lib-Dem group leader, said: “Lib-Dems have always believed the support scheme could be improved to provide more financial help to the poorest in our borough.”
The Lib-Dems also believe the council should establish a hardship fund similar to that of Stockport Council, which would support first-time council taxpayers in arrears, who make some payment but face hardship in paying the total debt.
