Council Tax Support Scheme Survey


Before completing this survey please read the accompanying Council Tax Support consultation document which explains the proposed changes to Council Tax Benefit under the new Council Tax Support Scheme.
Please answer all questions unless otherwise directed.
The survey will take around 10-15 minutes to complete.

1. Principles

We have developed some principles for the Council Tax Support Scheme, we would like to know your opinion of these.
Principle 1: The cut in funding should not mean a cut to other Council services.
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Principle 1? (Please select one box only)
1.a

Principle 2: The impact of the cut should be shared equally across all working age Council Tax Benefit claimants.
2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Principle 2? (Please select one box only)
2.a

Principle 3: The most vulnerable Council Tax Benefit claimants should be protected from changes.
3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Principle 3? (Please select one box only)
3.a

Principle 4: The needs of those with children or caring responsibilities should be recognised.
4. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Principle 4? (Please select one box only)
4.a

Principle 5: The new scheme should not discourage Council Tax Benefit claimants from retaining or starting low paid employment.
5. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Principle 5? (Please select one box only)
5.a

2. Key features

We have developed some draft features for the new Council Tax Support Scheme, we would like to know your opinions on these.
Feature 1: Applying the cuts in the Government's funding equally to all working age claimants.
6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 1? (Please select one box only)
6.a

Feature 2: Protecting the severely disabled and those receiving specific types of income from the impact of the cuts.
7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 2? (Please select one box only)
7.a

Feature 3: Removing the current Council Tax exemptions and discounts for empty properties and second homes.
8. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 3? (Please select one box only)
8.a

Feature 4: Introducing an empty homes premium on properties left empty for longer than 2 years.
9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 4? (Please select one box only)
9.a

Feature 5: Reducing savings and capital limits to £6000.
10. To what extent do you agree or disagree with feature 5? (Please select one box only)
10.a

Feature 6: Limiting claims for backdated benefit to one month.
11. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 6? (Please select one box only)
11.a

Feature 7: Introducing a £2.50 minimum weekly award level.
12. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 7? (Please select one box only)
12.a

Feature 8: Removing Second Adult Rebate for working age Council Tax Benefit claimants.
13. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 8? (Please select one box only)
13.a

Feature 9: Introducing a cash-limited discretionary scheme to deal with extreme financial hardship.
14. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Feature 9? (Please select one box only)
14.a

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19. Are you responding as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation?

3. About You

Thank you for sharing your views on the Council Tax Support Scheme.  To make sure we have the views of a cross-section of local people, we would like to ask you for some personal details.  The Council will keep and use this information in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and your details will be kept confidential.  They will not be used for any other purpose than this exercise.  The information will also help us meet equality and diversity policy and legislation.  You do not have to complete all of this section if you don't want to.
20.
21.

22. What is your gender? (Please select one box only)
23. Do you have any long-standing illness or disability that limits your daily activities? (Please select one box only)
24. Which of these activities best describes what you are doing at the moment? (Please select one box only)
 

25. Are you caring for someone who has a long-standing illness or disability that limits their daily activities? (Please select one box only)
26.a If yes, are you caring for a relative, partner or friend who ...? (Please select all that apply)
27. Do you belong to any particular religion or hold particular beliefs? (Please select one box only)
   
 

28. What is your ethnicity? (Please select one box only)
 

29. What is your sexual orientation? (Please select one box only)
30. Would you describe yourself as trans-gender? (Please select one box only)
31. Do you pay Council Tax to Telford & Wrekin Council? (Please select one box only)
32. Are you currently receiving Council Tax Benefit in Telford and Wrekin? (Please select one box only)

33. Telford and Wrekin Community Panel is a group of local people who volunteer to give their views and ideas on a range on local issues and services through surveys, focus groups and other activities.  The Council listens to and takes into account the views of the Community Panel when planning and delivering local services.

If you would be interested in finding out more about the Community Panel and receiving a registration form, please provide your contact details below.
   
   
   

4. About your organisation

34. Are you responding to this consultation in your capacity as a representative of any of the following? (Please select one box only)

35. Please provide details of your Organisation below.
   
   
   
   

Thank you for completing this survey

The information from this consultation will be used by the Council to assist in making its decision on the final Council Tax Support Scheme.  The results from the consultation will be published on our website later this year. The decision on the final Council Tax Support Scheme must be made no later than 31 January 2013.
Thank you for sharing your views, please click the 'submit' button below to finish the survey
 
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