Bills could soar under plans for new council tax cap

Some residents could pay an extra £136 next year if plans are approved

More than 15,000 households on low incomes in Coventry could see their bills rise under a planned new cap for council tax support.

If approved, it would mean residents in city could pay an extra £136 on average next year.

It is part of proposals by Coventry City Council to find £11m to reduce a huge budget gap for 2024-25.

The authority said the plans were due to soaring demand for services, inflation and low funding.

However, Coventry Poverty Alliance said many people simply could not afford to pay any more due to rising costs.

"These changes are just going to push those people further into debt," she added.

Council would save £1.6m a year

The plans would be brought in from April this year if approved, and would affect households aged 18 to 65.

Council cabinet member for finance, Richard Brown, said: "If we don't make these changes, the alternative would be to cut back other services even further."

The move would save the council £1.6m a year.

The Labour councillor claimed that Coventry was receiving £31m less than the average local authority every year.

"If the government's funding programme was fairer, we wouldn't even be looking at making these difficult decisions," he added.

A public consultation on the council's budget closes on 7 February.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.