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Changes to Council Tax Support Consultation |
Council Tax Benefit is changing |
Next year the Government is giving councils less money to pay for Council Tax Benefit. Fareham Borough Council has to make some tough decisions about how to make up for the shortfall in funding. We would like to know what you think about the changes we are proposing for the new Council Tax Support scheme. |
We have put together a number of questions about how the Council could choose to make-up for the shortfall in available funding for supporting local residents to pay their Council Tax. The answers you give will help shape the new scheme. The consultation will close at 5pm on Friday 30 November. |
Find out more about the proposed changes |
What will we do with your answers? |
The Council will look at all the answers received and use these to help decide the final design of the new Council Tax Support scheme. We will also use the information to help complete an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). |
· November to December 2012: Changes to the draft scheme taking into account the results of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)
· January 2013:Full Council meeting to adopt the draft scheme
· March 2013: Council Tax Bills issued
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1. |
If everyone should pay something towards their Council Tax bill, should the minimum amount they pay be 20% or 25% of their bill?
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2. |
Should people who receive Council Tax Benefit who are in properties with a higher Council Tax charge be asked to pay more? |
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3. |
Should people who are working receive more Council Tax Benefit to encourage them to increase the number of hours they work? |
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4. |
Should other adults living in a household where the Council Tax payer claims Council Tax Benefit, be asked to pay more toward the Council Tax bill than they do now? |
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5. |
Should the Second Adult Rebate be removed? |
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6. |
Should all non-dependent adults make a contribution to the household Council Tax bill? |
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Second Homes and Empty Properties |
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7. |
Should people with empty second homes (a furnished property which is no ones sole or main residence) stop receiving a 10% Council Tax discount? |
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8. |
Should people with empty homes which need, or have recently had major repairs to make them habitable, pay Council Tax? |
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9. |
Should people with empty homes that have been left unoccupied and unfurnished for less than six months pay Council Tax? |
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10. |
Should people with homes left empty for more than two years pay 150% Council Tax? |
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11. |
Should the most vulnerable local residents that find it very difficult to work, be protected from any cuts to the level of support available to them? |
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12. |
Should the Council provide funding for more Money Advice for local people? |
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13. |
Should the Council create a Hardship Fund to support people suffering genuine hardship because of the changes to Council Tax Benefit? |
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14. |
Do you think there are any groups of people in the community who would be affected more than others if everyone currently on benefit has to pay something towards their Council Tax? |
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14.a |
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14.b |
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The Council has also identified some groups that may be affected by these changes. These are listed below. |
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17. |
Would you say that any of the following describe your household? Tick all that apply |
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18. |
Are you a service personnel or ex service personnel? |
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Fareham Borough Council - Equality Monitoring |
Fareham Borough Council is committed to providing people with equal opportunities and eliminate unfair discrimination, both in the provision of service and in our role as a major employer. We want to collect information about people so that we can tailor our services to meet their needs and also make sure that we are not doing anything that stops people from having access to services, jobs or opportunities, and will change our policies and practices if that is what we need to do. |
We would be grateful if you would help us by completing the monitoring information on this form. Any personal information you give us is held securely and will be used only for council purposes in accordance with our data protection policy. If you are still unsure, the "why should I answer these questions" leaflet on the 'have your say' page at www.fareham.gov.uk may help. |
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22. |
Do you consider yourself to have a disability, or long-term illness, physical or mental health condition? |
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The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010 define a person as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (i.e. has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months) and has an adverse effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. |
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23. |
Your ethnic origin (These are based on the Census 2001 categories and are listed alphabetically) |
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You can make a difference - join our E-Panel |
If you enjoyed telling the Council what you think then you might be interested in joining the Council's e-panel. If you are a resident of Fareham you can answer questions on a range of topics relevant to you and your local area. All you need to do to sign up is provide your email address and postcode (so that we can confirm you are a resident of Fareham). |
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Thank you for telling us what you think. If you are online please click submit to complete the survey. You will then be redirected to www.fareham.gov.uk/consultation. |
If you are completing a paper survey. Please return it to Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ by Friday 30 November. |
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