Consultations are now underway across Surrey to gather public opinion on the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (CTR) that will be in operation from April 2027. The call for views is directed at current CTR recipients, their supporters, and the wider community.
This initiative is part of a significant local government reorganisation, which will see Surrey County Council and the county's 11 district and borough councils replaced by two new unitary authorities: East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council, effective from 1 April 2027. Consequently, services such as Council Tax administration and reduction schemes will be consolidated.
Currently, each district and borough council operates its own CTR scheme, leading to variations in eligibility criteria and support levels for low-income households. The proposed new schemes aim to create a single, fair, and sustainable system for each of the new councils, following a review of existing arrangements.
No final decisions have been made, and existing support mechanisms will continue until the new schemes are finalised. The consultation period, running from 7 October to 3 December 2026, offers residents and organisations a crucial opportunity to influence the final recommendations.
East Surrey Shadow Cllr Andy Burton, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Resources, urged affected residents to participate. "Council Tax Reduction is an important source of financial support for eligible residents," he stated. "Your views will help decision-makers understand the potential impact of the proposals before the final scheme is agreed."
The draft proposals for the East Surrey Council Tax Reduction Schemes can be viewed online at www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk/ctrs-eastsurrey. Accessible and paper copies are also available at the Town Hall and community centres. Further information on the Local Government Reorganisation is available on the Future Surrey website.
