Fareham Borough Council is inviting residents to take part in a public consultation on proposed changes to its Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme for 2026, which helps people on low incomes to pay their Council Tax.

Fareham’s current scheme has remained unchanged since 2013 when it was introduced. With over 3,600 active claims in the Borough, the Council is now reviewing the scheme as part of its Opportunities Plan.

The aim is to simplify the process, improve administration, and make it easier for residents to understand.

The proposed changes include moving to a banded income-based model which means a person’s income is sorted into specific bands. The amount of support or benefit they receive is then based on which band their income falls into, rather than the exact amount of money they earn.

The consultation is running from 13 November 2025 until 11 December 2025, and residents can find out more about the proposed changes and give their views on them here: www.fareham.gov.uk/consultations.

Councillor Simon Martin, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that our support schemes are fair, accessible, and responsive to the needs of our residents. This review is about making the system easier to navigate while maintaining the level of help available to those who need it most. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help us build a better, more inclusive Fareham.”

You can find out more about Council Tax Support at the Councils Website:

https://www.fareham.gov.uk/benefits/how_to_claim/intro.aspx