7,500 households with the lowest incomes in Ipswich will pay less Council Tax in 2022/23 due to council support. This a proposal within Ipswich Borough Council’s budget published today (31 January 2022).
To help tackle the cost of living crisis the Council is proposing a £10 discount for all 7,500+ households receiving Local Council Tax Support; that is those households in greatest need of financial support.
This will mean that every household currently receiving Local Council Tax Support will see a cut in their bills from April. This local discount scheme was proposed by Ipswich Borough Council and has been supported by Suffolk County Council but not by the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ipswich Borough Council will also consult with these two bodies about increasing the maximum local discount on the Council Tax for those on the lowest incomes from 95% to 100% in 2023/24. Those that currently receive a 95% reduction will see an actual fall in their bills for 2022/23 – i.e. from the bills they paid in 2021/22.
The proposals will be considered first by the Council’s Executive meeting on Tuesday 8 February and then, if endorsed there, by the Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday 23 February 2022.
Cllr David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says:
“I’m proud that Ipswich Borough Council has stepped up to the challenge that the cost-of-living crisis poses and taken action to reduce the council tax bills of over 7,500 households in Ipswich. As far as I am aware, we are the only council in Suffolk helping our residents in this way. I want to thank Suffolk County Council for agreeing to join in this scheme which means we can offer a larger discount than we could have afforded on our own.”
Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, says:
“Suffolk County Council was pleased to offer the required support to Ipswich Borough Council, which will now enable eligible Ipswich residents access to an extra reduction to their Council Tax for 2022/23. Given the pressures that so many people are feeling as we emerge from the pandemic and the increasing cost of living, I hope that this is welcome news for Ipswich residents.
“District and Borough Councils have the power to introduce Local Council Tax Reductions schemes and these exist in slightly different forms across Suffolk.”
