11/11/2025
Have Your Say: Bedford’s Council Tax Reduction Consultation — Deadline 12th August
This one matters!
Bedford Borough Council is consulting on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the support that helps low-income households pay their council tax.
Why should you care?
Because these changes could hit young people, families, carers, and those on low or unstable incomes the hardest. The kind of people who already feel the pinch, and who often don’t have the time, information, or energy to fill in yet another council form.
🕓 Deadline: 12th August
💻 Take part: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/b02017cc-6b16-4ba4-8649-f6538e1b5ea9?fbclid=IwVERDUAN_lFVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeJqjYVb_HCsXSNJwpu2_SpCPlNYY_2_KHNwzIy4hHHtaXESfGKjHy3ATOnP8_aem_mWu8gkj5nhyVezLGdNiqQg
📍 Who should respond: Anyone living in Bedford who receives (or might need) council tax support — or who believes in fairness.
When councils make changes like this, it’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet, it’s food shops missed, rent delays, and mental strain. It’s young people losing trust that anyone’s listening.
👉 Things to think about before you respond:
How do rising living costs already affect your household or your community?
Who will struggle most if council tax support is reduced?
Are the consultation questions clear and accessible to everyone?
Do you think Bedford Borough Council has reached out to the right people in the right ways?
🗣️ Your voice counts. Even if you think “they never listen”, responding means your experience gets logged. And when enough of us speak up, they have to listen.
You can help to decide what council tax support will be available for people on low incomes next year.
Bedford Borough Council is consulting on its Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which allows for discounts of up to 100% on council tax depending on people’s personal circumstances, or up to 82% in more expensive properties.
However, the Council is facing significant financial pressures, which means that it is reviewing all spending.
Currently around 10,500 people receive Council Tax Support Discount in Bedford Borough, and around 7,200 of these people are of working age. The gross cost of the working age scheme in 2025/26 is £9.8million, including the discount for the share of council tax which goes to the police, fire service and parish councils.
Any changes would not affect people of pensionable age, as their entitlement to a Council Tax Support discount is prescribed by government legislation.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said; “Please let us know your thoughts on the proposals set out in the consultation and any comments, ideas or alternative suggestions you may have.
The proposals and consultation document can be found on our website at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/ctrconsultation
“The consultation will run from Wednesday 1 October until Wednesday 12 November. You can also have your say by filling out a paper form which can be collected from all Bedford libraries during staffed hours, the Bedford Borough Hub Horne Lane, or Borough Hall reception in Cauldwell Street.”
