by Tim Collins
tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Changes to the way council tax benefit is paid have been announced as part of an Ashford Borough Council consultation process.

The government is abolishing the national council tax benefit scheme on March 31, 2013, under welfare reforms.

Councils, including Ashford Borough Council, have been asked to replace it with their own system on April 1, 2013.

As part of this process, the council is holding an eight-week consultation to ask residents and other interested parties about the its plans for a new system.

Cllr Robert Taylor, portfolio holder for core services, said: “With the reduction in funding from central government we have had have to make some difficult decisions about who will receive financial support, and how much, in the future.

“Central government has prescribed much of what we can and cannot do and we have had to work within the framework we have been given.

“We feel we have proposed a system that is as fair as possible and in line with the needs of our community.

“Now we want to hear from residents who are both directly and indirectly affected, and local stakeholders.”

Full story in this week's Kentish Express.