Call to suspend council tax in Lewes until end of coronavirus pandemic

In a statement issued today, Lewes District Council leader Zoe Nicholson and deputy leader James MacCleary have called on the government to cover the cost of council tax bills for at least three months. 

The councillors say the intervention would save most Lewes residents an average of £481 during the crisis.

Cllr Nicholson said: “As the coronavirus crisis escalates, thousands of residents in Lewes District will be unable to pay their council tax, and may fall into arrears if steps are not taken to suspend payments.

“Rapid action is needed, or many more families will be under unbearable financial pressuring in the coming weeks.

“Councils have been hit hard by government funding cuts over the last five years. Every penny is now vital to ensure Lewes District Council can continue to operate. Not only that, but council tax also funds East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Sussex Police, and East Sussex County Council. 

“Under these proposals, councils would receive equivalent funding from central government, to make sure they can continue to provide the services that people in Lewes District rely on.”

Under the proposals, the council would be able to suspend all council tax bills for households in Bands A to E, with a 50 per cent reduction in payments across other bands. 

The treasury would be expected to make up the shortfall in tax revenue with direct payments to councils, the councillors say.

Cllrs Nicholson and MacCleary go on to say they would like to see these measures implemented for a minimum of three months, with an option to extend the scheme if required. 

Cllr MacCleary said: “Every morning either Zoe or myself do Facebook Live sessions where we take questions from residents. Every day someone asks about council tax.

“It is causing anxiety and we are calling on the government to support councils to be able to give hard-pressed taxpayers a break.

“We cannot afford to do this on our own – we wish we could! However, the government certainly can and could provide critical financial support to households at this difficult time. 

“So far they have only provided a limited fund that gave some people a £150 discount on the council tax. Although welcome, we need a lot more than that right now.

“I really hope the government will respond positively to support council taxpayers.”

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