Council tax reduction scheme
Published
Monday 11 August, 2025
Updated
Monday 11 August, 2025
Have your say on changes to council tax that would help support Swale’s lowest income households.
Swale Borough Council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed to consult on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
The scheme offers a discount to working age people’s council tax bill, with the level of discount being based on the income of the household.
The council want to change the council tax reduction for the lowest income households (band 1) from 80% to up to 90%, 100% or an option of both.
There are almost 10,000 people currently receiving a reduction on their bill in Swale, with 6,500 of them being of working age.
The changes, which aim to provide targeted support to households on the lowest incomes and reduce administration costs, include:
- increasing the reduction available to band 1 households (lowest income households) to 90% or 100%
- increasing the discount for band 2 to band 4 households by 10%
- removing the minimum income floor
- the inclusion or exclusion of income from compensations in the calculation of Council Tax Reduction
Any changes would take effect from 1 April 2026 and, if approved, would help reduce the financial pressure Swale’s most vulnerable families are facing.
Pension age applicants will see no changes, continuing to receive up to a 100% reduction, as they from part of a national scheme.
Swale Borough Council collects council tax on behalf of Kent County Council, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Swale Borough Council, Kent Fire and Rescue Authority and Town and parish councils, where applicable.
Cllr Tim Gibson, chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said:
“We are acutely aware of the financial hardships our residents face and want to make sure we can support our most vulnerable residents in any way we can.
“Increasing the discount from 80%, as well as a 10% increase for households up to band 4, will allow us to take even more financial burden off Swale’s struggling families.
“We are also looking at reducing the cost of running this service, so we can mitigate any extra costs that come with providing these increased discounts.
“Please let us know your thoughts on our proposals, the results of the consultation will help shape any decisions we take to change the council tax reduction scheme.”
Click here to read more and take part in the survey on the council tax reduction scheme before 28 September 2025.
If you require this consultation in another format or have any queries about the consultation, please email consultation@maidstone.gov.uk.
The recommendations on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27 will be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee in December 2025.
