POOLE residents on low incomes may have to pay more council tax as the borough tightens its financial belt.

Borough of Poole is seeking views on proposed changes to council tax support from next year, which could see thousands of means tested residents faced with higher bills.

Pensioners will not be affected and neither will the 25 per cent single person’s discount, or the most vulnerable people such as those receiving war pensions, disability or carers’ premiums.

Last month there were 11,132 households in the town receiving some level of council tax support of whom 49 per cent were pensioners. In cases of exceptional hardship the council may be able to offer help.

The current council tax support scheme was implemented in 2013 following a reduction in government funding, with some working age residents only able to claim council tax support on 91.5 per cent of their total bill for 2014/15.

Funding has now been cut further and the council says it will find it difficult to continue to provide the same level of support without affecting other essential services.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson, leader of the council, said: “For the past two financial years we have been able to maintain a certain level of support by using council reserves, but we are now faced with the difficult decision of putting forward changes that may reduce the amount of support available for some people.”

She emphasised that this was a consultation and no decisions would be made until results had been analysed.

“We recognise that the support we provide is important for many residents and any decision to reduce it will not be taken lightly.

“However, this is now the time when, unfortunately, cuts and pressures we have been warning about for some time, are now hitting us.

“We have worked very hard to try and avoid services being affected, but this is no longer possible with the budget we are allocated in Poole.”

The consultation will close on Friday, October 31.

Go to boroughofpoole.com for more information about the scheme and to give your views.