WEST Devon is beginning an eight-week consultation to allow residents to have their say about how they wish their council to spend a shrinking pot of money, when they implement their own scheme to replace council tax benefit after its abolition next April.

It is proposed that all working age people who are currently receiving council tax benefit in the borough will be expected, from next April, to pay a minimum of 25% towards their council tax.The move is expected to affect around 2,300 households in West Devon, although pensioners will be protected from the changes.

The Government has tasked councils across the country to design their own localised replacement to council tax benefit, to be called the council tax support scheme.

From this week, the borough council is starting an eight-week consultation, which ends on October 1.

In West Devon, all affected households will receive a letter about the changes in the coming weeks and will have an opportunity to comment on the scheme.

Information on the changes will also be available at the council's Connect outreach events: August 10, Chagford Library 10.30am–12.30pm; 17, Broadwoodkelly, The Friday Market 10am– noon; 20, North Tawton, The Square 10am-1pm; 21, Hatherleigh Market 9.30am– noon; 24, Chagford Library 10.30am–12.30pm; 24, Okehampton, Parklands Leisure Centre 11am–3pm.

September 4, Hatherleigh Market 9.30am–noon; 7, Exbourne, The Burrow Café 10am–noon; 13, Belstone Village Hall 10am– noon; 14, Chagford Library 10.30am – 12.30pm; 18, Hatherleigh Market 9.30am–noon; 28, Chagford Library 10.30am–12.30pm. To have your say log on to http://www.westdevon.gof.uk/ctsupport">www.westdevon.gof.uk/ctsupport and click on to the questionnaire.