From next year there will be a new single council in North Yorkshire. The new North Yorkshire Council will replace the seven district and borough councils as well as the county council. All eight councils are working together to make sure that the services people value continue as usual when North Yorkshire Council comes into being on 1 April 2023.

Having one council means services can be strengthened and joined up to improve the quality of life and opportunities for people across North Yorkshire. It will also save money by reducing duplication to put back into frontline services and support local priorities and decision-making.

Currently the seven borough and district councils all have slightly different Council Tax Reduction schemes, and by law North Yorkshire Council must introduce a single scheme covering the whole of the North Yorkshire area. Council Tax Reduction is a discount that helps people on low incomes pay their Council Tax bill. The proposal is to introduce an income banded scheme that is more supportive, with the maximum level of reduction for the people most in need.

The changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme will affect working age households in the North Yorkshire area who will get Council Tax Reduction from 1 April 2023. Pension age households will not see any change as the scheme to support this group is set out by Central Government.

Most applicants will get the same support as they do now and many will be better off. Although some households will have a little more to pay, the proposals set out plans for a hardship fund so that anyone affected who needs additional help will be supported. People are invited to share their views on the proposed changes as part of a consultation.

A link to take part in the consultation and more detailed information can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/CouncilTaxReduction. The consultation will close at midnight on 18 September 2022. All comments and feedback will be considered in October, before a final decision is made in November.