Full council tax discounts to continue for Doncaster flood victims

Elected mayor Ros Jones, responding to a question from Bessacarr councillor Nick Allen on the discounts, said tenants living in 685 properties had claimed for council tax waivers after the River Don burst its banks in November last year.

The mayor along with DMBC bosses decided to scrap council tax payments for any home affected by the flooding for a minimum of three months but continues for anyone who can’t return to their property after that time.

Local authority bosses have stopped over £260,000 worth of council tax payments for people affected by the flooding. The council will be able to claim the money back from central government.

Speaking at a meeting of cabinet members, mayor Jones said: “We remain fully committed to supporting the people affected by the floods of November 2019.

“Following a key decision that I took on November 20 under Rule 16 for Special Urgency, we will award a 100 per cent council tax discount to all properties where flood water entered the habitable area of the property; or where flood water did not enter the habitable area, but the authority considers the property was unlivable for any period of time.

The council tax discount is awarded for a minimum of three months, but will continue for longer while anyone is unable to return home as a result of the flood.

“Also, where someone is unable to return to their main home, they will receive a 100 per cent parallel council tax discount at any temporary accommodation where they have council tax to pay.

So far, discounts have been awarded to 685 properties affected by the flooding, with a further 51 parallel discounts awarded on temporary accommodation.

“The total value of discounts to date is £266,661.54 pence and we will be reimbursed by the Government, for the value of discounts awarded.”

For more information on council tax payments for Doncaster residents, please click here.