HART District Council has launched a 12-week public consultation on possible revisions to its council tax reduction scheme.

The scheme was launched on September 5 and the consultation will close on November 30.

The council says that since the initial council tax reduction scheme was introduced in April 2013, the council has received less money from the Government to fund the scheme, adding that until now it has chosen to find this money by making savings “in other areas”.

It is one of just 41 councils nationally, out of 326, that has not made any significant changes to its council tax reduction scheme since it was introduced.

The authority is considering basing council tax support for working age claimants on 80 per cent of the charge and, if agreed, residents of working age who currently receive 100 per cent support would have to pay 20 per cent of the charge.

Those working-age claimants who receive partial support would see the level of their support proportionately reduced, while there would be no change for pensioners.

Speaking about the consultation, Ken Crookes, cabinet member for finance on Hart District Council, said: “The consultation aims to gather public opinion on possible changes to the council tax reduction scheme. I urge local residents to read the full consultation information on our website and have their say via the online response form.”

It is estimated that if the change is implemented, Hart will save around £33,000 per year.

To have your say on the consultation, visit hart.gov.uk.