'Unfair' council tax support cuts panned by Windsor & Maidenhead opposition councillors

The Liberal Democrats and Independents questioned the legitimacy of the decision to change its council tax reduction scheme (CTRS) from 91.5 per cent to 80 per cent at a full council meeting on Tuesday, February 23, following a second consultation.

This means vulnerable residents or those on a low-income will have to pay more than double in their discounted council tax.

READ MORE: Windsor and Maidenhead council tax support ruled 'unlawful'

Last year, the Royal Borough admitted at High Court its 2020/21 CTRS consultation was ‘unlawful’ and did not ‘adequately and lawfully’ consult people who were in receipt of the scheme about the changes due to a low response rate.

The court ordered the council to draft and undertake a second consultation and an equality impact assessment.

Councillor David Hilton (Con: Ascot & Sunninghill), lead member for finance, said they ‘accepted’ they failed to carry out a lawful consultation – but have complied with the consent order in full.

Cllr David Hilton

The second consultation received 27 responses of out of the 2,512 who were in receipt of CTRS.

In total, 191 responses were received – which is 50 more than last year’s consultation.

Of those responses, 110 did not agree that the level of support available for working-age customers in 2021/22 should continue at 80 per cent, while 112 did not agree that the level of CTRS support should have been decreased.

Cllr Helen Price

Councillor Helen Price (The Borough First: Clewer & Dedworth East), who feared last year the first consultation was unlawful, said the council will again ‘ignore’ residents where a majority of respondents disagreed with the scheme.

She also criticised the ‘very low’ response rate the second survey received and that the results were not scrutinised by councillors.

Cllr Price said: “I fear we got it wrong again and I fear it will be inevitable that we will be challenged again.”

READ MORE: Maidenhead councillor apologises for 'embarrassing' outburst at council

Cllr Geoff Hill

Fellow Borough First Cllr Geoff Hill (Oldfield) added: “Why are we asking people to pay more money post-Covid or during Covid? And why are we trying to take 20 per cent – which is double the amount – off the poorest of the community?

“It seems woefully unfair.”

Cllr Andrew Johnson

The leader of the council, councillor Andrew Johnson (Con: Hurley & Walthams), recognised it is ‘difficult’ to ask residents to pay more in taxation – but added they will still benefit from paying low council tax, meaning they will still pay less compared with other Berkshire authorities.

Cllr Johnson said: “If a challenge were to come, of course, we would deal with it in the most appropriate manner.

“It’s almost as if that is being orchestrated as inevitable. Nothing is inevitable at all – but be rest assured that the paper is in the best position it could be and the advice we received is sound.”

At the meeting, the ruling Conservatives voted for the continuation of the 20 per cent contribution for the CTRS.