Cornwall Council began a consultation on 19 October 2026 on possible changes to its Council Tax Support scheme for working-age households1. The council said around 19,000 working-age households in Cornwall currently receive support through the scheme1.
The council is consulting on a range of options: keeping the current maximum level of support at 75%, or reducing it to 70%, 65%, 60% or 55%1. Pension-age residents would not be affected by the proposed changes1.
The scheme currently costs around £21 million a year and is expected to rise to around £22.2 million next year if no changes are made1. The council said the consultation comes as it continues to face significant financial pressures, with the cost of providing key services rising1.
Councillor Adam Paynter, the council's portfolio holder for Finance, said:
"It's important to stress that no decision has been taken, that's why we're carrying out this consultation."
The consultation runs until December 13, 20261. Feedback will be considered before Cabinet makes a recommendation to Full Council, which is expected to make the final decision in January1. Any agreed changes would take effect from April 1, 20271.
| Maximum level of support under consideration | Status |
|---|---|
| 75% | Current level; option to keep |
| 70% | Option under consultation |
| 65% | Option under consultation |
| 60% | Option under consultation |
| 55% | Option under consultation |
Source: Cornwall Council1
Why it matters for households
Council Tax Support reduces the council tax bill of people on low incomes. For the roughly 19,000 working-age households in Cornwall receiving it, the maximum share of the bill covered is the figure under review1. If the maximum were reduced from 75% to 55%, a household at the maximum level would become liable for a larger share of its council tax, though the council has not reported bill-level figures for each option. Pension-age recipients would not be affected1.
No change has been agreed. The decision rests with Full Council after the consultation closes and Cabinet makes its recommendation, with any new arrangements applying from April 1, 20271. The council has not reported how many households would be affected under each option, or the savings each option would produce.
What happens next
The consultation closes on December 13, 20261. Cabinet is then expected to make a recommendation to Full Council, which is expected to decide in January1. Any agreed changes would take effect from April 1, 20271.
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