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More than 12,000 families face £415 council tax hike

BBC John wears dark glasses, a checked shirt and a navy jumper and is sitting in an armchair in front of a sofa.BBC
John Hardy, who is visually impaired, runs a charity in Bridgwater which supports people including those on low incomes

More than 12,600 families with low incomes in Somerset could be made to pay more council tax – on average £415 a year.

The affected families would lose some of their discount from council tax bills under proposals from the local authority.

The plans would save Somerset Council £3.88m a year. But it would still face a £54m gap in its budget for the next financial year and so is has written to the government to ask for help.

Councillor Liz Leyshon, lead member for resources, described it as being "between a rock and a hard place".

The council said 12,633 families would be affected by the changes - including 5,606 disabled households.

Charities supporting people on low incomes and those with disabilities have voiced concerns.

A woman with black-rimmed glasses, in a purple cardigan and colourful scarf sitting on a grey sofa in an office in front of a pot plant.
Councillor Liz Leyshon is Liberal Democrat lead member for resources at Somerset Council

Ms Leyshon said it was a decision "no councillor would ever want" to take.

"We need to balance the budget. We need the money to pay for... adult social care, for children's services, for homelessness," she said.

"We are looking somewhere nobody would want to look - to reduce support for vulnerable people, in order that we can support vulnerable people."

"It is not where councils want to be," she said.

A couple are sitting at a table which has children's toys at one end such as a surprise joke box and unicorn toy and Colleen is wrapping a box with pink Christmas paper.
John and Colleen Hardy wrap Christmas presents which have been donated for children from low-income families

John Hardy, founding trustee of The Hub in Bridgwater, said he already sees many families struggling for money and the changes to council tax support "really worries" him.

"I have to say there was a large increase in the amount of people needing food, for example, needing clothing, needing beds, furniture for houses," he said.

"People who were in dire situations with not enough income coming into their hands and increased electricity prices, increased gas prices, increase food prices - It's just terrible for them.

"People are having to go and look for handouts to feed their family."

A woman with short blonde hair and dark-framed glasses and hooped earrings in a blue knitted jumper looks into the camera.
Kim Watts, from Citizens Advice Somerset, said council tax arrears are already the main debt people ask for help with

Kim Watts is operations manager for debt and money for Citizens Advice Somerset.

The organisation gave the council feedback on its plans earlier this year.

Ms Watts said council tax arrears is the biggest debt people ask for help with.

"Council tax seems to be a bill that people don't pay - because food, energy, fuel to get to work and paying their rent and mortgage payments really are the priority."

She said she thought the changes could be the "tipping point" for some.

"The last few years have been really difficult for everybody. The pressures on households are absolutely huge these days."

Somerset Council’s executive committee voted through the proposals on Monday.

It will not affect pensioners, only those of working-age who currently receive a council tax reduction.

A final decision by the council will be made in the new year and come into effect from April 2025.

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