Bedford borough councillors rejected plans to overhaul the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) after a heated and, at times, emotional debate.
The Conservative administration’s proposed changes were rejected at last week’s Full Council (26 November) – leaving the current 100 per cent support scheme in place for another year.
The proposed scheme would have required most working-age residents on low incomes to start paying at least 20 per cent of their council tax bill.
The current scheme allows for discounts of up to 100 per cent to be awarded to applicants for properties in Council Tax Bands A to D, and for up to 82 per cent for properties in Council Tax Bands E to H.
Read: Storm brews over proposed changes to Bedford’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme
The portfolio holder for finance and corporate services, councillor Marc Frost (Conservative, Wilstead and Wixams ward), said the changes were financially unavoidable, insisting Bedford “could not afford” to continue operating one of the most generous schemes in the country.
The proposal was to limit discounts to 80 per cent Council Tax Liability payable for council tax Bands A to D, 65.6 per cent for Bands E to H, and limit discounts to zero where the non-dependant has income of £300 per week or more (subject to other conditions).
He warned that rejecting the proposals would leave a £1.6m gap that would have to be found from frontline services, including children’s services, adult social care and community safety.
“Attempting to balance the books on the backs of the poorest”
“We do not have a magic money tree,” he told councillors.
But opposition councillors accused the administration of attempting to “balance the books on the backs of the poorest,” warning that thousands of families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis would be pushed into debt, hardship and possible homelessness.
Several members highlighted the potential consequences of forcing low-income households to suddenly find hundreds of pounds per year.
Councillor Dean Crofts (Lib Dem, Kingsbrook) said a Band A household would face bills of around £235 a year, with missed payments triggering court action and bailiff fees.
“Do we really want children opening the door to bailiffs?” he asked.
Councillor Frost rejected this claim: “You know as well as I do, councillor Crofts, that if somebody doesn’t pay their council tax, it does not immediately go to liability order and bailiff. That’s not how it works.”
The consultation results also came under scrutiny. While the administration described responses as “generally positive,” councillors pointed out that slightly more residents opposed the key proposal than supported it.
Councillor Ben Foley (Green, Greyfriars) said that more said they disagree than agree to the key proposal.
“Saying that is a positive response is like claiming Dave Hodgson was re-elected,” he said. “But actually, I see it’s Tom Wootton’s name at the bottom of this farcical report.”
Councillor Frost said: “Overall, 60 per cent agree that every household should contribute something.”
Immediately before the amendment was put to a vote, councillor Frost made a final appeal to keep the administration’s scheme on the table.
“We’re not asking people in a Band A property to suddenly find £1,000,” he told councillors.
“And even those who can’t afford £4 have other options.”
The amendment from Lib Dem’s councillor Christine McHugh (Goldington) to retain the current scheme for 2026/27 and allow a full year for proper cross-party work on a redesign won majority support.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
