£150 council tax rebate due to rising energy bills

Cotswold District Council will be making payments to those eligible in the coming weeks.

Payments will first be made to residents who pay their council tax by direct debit in April.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance, Mike Evemy, said: “We are pleased that the Government has acknowledged the increasing cost of energy bills and the rising cost of living by providing some support through these £150 payments.

“I encourage residents eligible for the rebate to sign up to pay council tax by direct debit using our new online payment system, OpenPortal.

"This will ensure we have your bank details on file and can issue the £150 rebate as quickly as possible.

"Our OpenPortal is also the easiest way to set up and track your bills and is available for you to use 24/7.”

More information on the rebate and how to set up an OpenPortal account will be sent out with council tax bills which will be delivered in the middle of March. Alternatively, you can set up an account by visiting cotswold.gov.uk/openportal

The rebate will not be taken off council tax bills when they are issued but will instead be a separate payment.

Residents who are eligible but unable to set up an online account via OpenPortal will be contacted separately.

Cllr Evemy added: “We understand that many residents may have questions about the rebate. However, please do wait until you have received and read through the information in your council tax bill before contacting us.”

When signing up for OpenPortal you will need your council tax reference number which can be found on a council tax bill. Your council tax account number and your property valuation band can also be found on your annual bill.

The council will also be setting up a discretionary fund to support households who may be in need of support from the Energy Bills Rebate but are not eligible for the national scheme.