AN eight-week consultation began this week into West Devon Borough Council's proposals to change the rules on how much council tax support is given to residents on the lowest incomes.

The council introduced its own council tax reduction scheme to replace council tax benefit, which was abolished in April 2013.

The Government says councils must design their own council tax reduction scheme each year for working age residents, but with reduced funding. Pensioners have been protected so are unaffected by these changes

Last year, the council decided on a one-year solution to fund the difference between the old benefit system and the new council tax reduction scheme for 2013/14. This meant those entitled to a reduction in council tax were given the same level of help as the previous council tax benefit system. The council's decision also allowed those residents affected to adjust to other benefit changes which were being introduced as part of the Government's welfare reforms.

The council is now reviewing the current scheme and is proposing a series of options to change it from April 2014.

Council leader Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'We were able to give residents on low incomes a 12 months breathing space to get used to the other welfare changes that have been introduced since April.

'But we indicated that we would not be able to continue this for the next year starting in April 2014 and we now need to start reviewing the reduction scheme for that year. All local authorities are facing substantial cuts in government funding which sadly require us to make some very tough decisions which will undoubtedly create difficulties for some of our residents.

'We have a choice to make between four basic options with the possibility of more than one being selected, so we are asking our residents for their views on these options to help us choose the best solution.'

The options are that:

l All working age households who receive a council tax reduction would pay up to a 25% minimum council tax charge

l Those receiving a council tax reduction and living in a property of B and E or above will have their entitlement reduced to the same level as a Band D property

l No council tax reduction will be paid to households with more than £6,000 in savings

l The council provides a fund to help and support those in extreme financial difficulties.

Full details and examples of the likely impact of these options can be found at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/ctreduction">www.westdevon.gov.uk/ctreduction

To take part in the consultation which ends on Monday October 7, you can complete a survey online at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/ctreduction">www.westdevon.gov.uk/ctreduction or call the council on 01822 813600 for a printed copy or visit its offices at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock PL19 0BZ or 10 St James Street, Okehampton EX20 1DH

You can also visit one of the West Devon Connect outreach events where there will be information on the consultation.

The West Devon Connect events are being held at:

Belstone Village Hall: September 12, 10am–noon

Broadwoodkelly Village Hall: August 16, 10am–noon

Chagford Library: August 23 and September 27, 10.30am-12.30pm

Chagford Show: August 15

Exbourne, The Burrow Café: September 6, 10am–noon

Hatherleigh Market: August 20, September 3 and September 17, 9.30am – noon

Tavistock Area Support Services, The Anchorage Centre: August 29, 10.30am-12.30pm

Tavistock Community Event, Bedford Square: September 7, 10am-1.30pm.