BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has announced that it will provide aid to residents who require additional aid to pay their council tax.

At a meeting on Thursday, December 15, the councillors agreed the council tax support scheme and discretionary discounts for 2023/24.

This will see the borough’s most vulnerable residents given help at a time they may be struggling to pay bills and energy costs.

Support is available for residents who are in receipt of benefit payments or on low incomes and can help pay for some or all of their council tax bill.

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The scheme also includes continued discounts for young care leavers aged between 18 and 25 to support them as they set up home on their own or with others after previously being in care, following the introduction of the scheme in 2019.

Under the scheme, there will be a 100 per cent discount for those aged between 18 and 21 who are solely responsible for their council tax, with the discount then reduced by 25 per cent each year until their 25th birthday.

As has been previously reported, councillors at the same meeting also agreed to a special 100 per cent discretionary discount for people who have been forced out of their home due to fire, flood or other repair needs that make it uninhabitable if they are living temporarily in another part of the borough.

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Cabinet member for finance and property Cllr John Izett said: “Supporting the more vulnerable residents in our community is a key priority for the council and this scheme is another example of how at this difficult time of rising costs for many residents we are able to use our strong finances as a council to continue to help those on low incomes.

“We also want to support young adults leaving care at a time when they are paying bills for the first time. This scheme means they can take steps to become financially independent and avoid getting into debt.

“In addition, we want to help people in the borough to find somewhere to live and we are pleased to be taking further steps to prevent houses standing empty for long periods of time while people need new homes.”

More information can be found by visiting basingstoke.gov.uk/council-tax-discount.