Views sought on proposed Council Tax Reduction schemes

Residents who currently receive Council Tax Reduction (CTR), as well as people who support them, are being asked to share their views on proposals for the schemes that will operate in the new East and West Surrey Councils from April 2027.

From 1 April 2027, Surrey County Council and Surrey’s 11 district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities: East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council.

As part of this change, a number of services and arrangements currently operated separately by the district and borough councils will need to be brought together. This includes Council Tax administration and Council Tax Reduction Schemes.

At present, each district and borough council has its own Council Tax Reduction Scheme, meaning the eligibility criteria and level of support available can differ depending on where someone lives. For people on low incomes, or who claim benefits, Council Tax Reduction reduces a household's Council Tax liability, providing important financial support.

The two new councils will each need to have a single Council Tax Reduction Scheme covering their own area. Draft proposals for the new schemes have now been agreed for consultation, following a review of the existing schemes across Surrey and the differences between them.

The aim of the consultation is to help ensure the new schemes are fair, sustainable and meet the needs of residents across Surrey. The draft proposals set out how the new schemes could operate from April 2027.

No final decisions have been made on the schemes, and existing support will remain in place while the consultation takes place. The consultation gives residents and relevant organisations an opportunity to consider the proposals and share their views before final recommendations are considered by the new councils.

Separate consultations for the draft East Surrey and West Surrey Council Tax Reduction Schemes will run from 7 October to 3 December 2026.

We particularly want to hear from people who currently receive Council Tax Reduction, as well as others who support residents who may be affected by the proposed changes.

Your feedback will be considered alongside the other consultation responses and will help inform the recommendations made before the final schemes are agreed.

Go to the East Surrey Council consultation – Future Surrey

Go to the West Surrey Council consultation – Future Surrey

Accessible versions of the consultation are available, and paper copies will also be available through local council offices and other community locations.

East Surrey Shadow Cllr Andy Burton, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Resources, said: 

“Council Tax Reduction is an important source of financial support for eligible residents, and I would strongly encourage anyone affected to take part in the consultation.

“No final decisions have been made, and existing support will remain in place while the consultation takes place. Your views will help decision-makers understand the potential impact of the proposals before the final scheme is agreed.”

West Surrey Shadow Cllr Leslie Rice, Portfolio Holder for Finance, said:

“As we move towards the new West Surrey Council, we need to bring together the different Council Tax Reduction schemes currently operated by the district and borough councils to support residents.

“We want to hear from people who currently receive Council Tax Reduction, and those who support them, so that their experiences and views can be considered before the final scheme is agreed.

“The aim is to ensure the new scheme is fair, sustainable and meets the needs of residents across West Surrey.”

More information about Local Government Reorganisation and the new East and West Surrey Councils is available on the Future Surrey website.