BRADFORD Council says it is looking at ways to reduce Council Tax for the poorest households during the Coronavirus crisis.

Many people have called for Council Tax to be paused during the crisis to help those who have been hit financially.

However, with Council Tax funding services like social care, children’s services and bin collections – services are even more important during the current lockdown, it remained to be seen what would be done in response to these requests.

The government has this week offered financial support to do this, and the Council says it is working to pass this support to people “as quickly as possible.”

Leader of Bradford Council Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We know that this is a difficult time for many of our residents and we are working hard to provide support to those that need it most.

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“The Government is encouraging councils to provide a small reduction in council tax this year to people who qualify for the Council Tax reduction scheme which the Council has operated for a number of years.

“The Government have given us a grant to cover that amount.

“We are still examining the Government guidance on the issue which was only received on Tuesday afternoon.

“We will act as quickly as possible on this guidance to pass on the benefit to the intended recipients.

“We want to support our residents as much as possible and would encourage them to check our website which has updated information.”

The Council has also today announced that it is suspending all parking charges to help support key workers as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Authority parking charges will not apply in all council-run car parks and on-street parking bays to support people whose jobs are vital to public health and safety during the coronavirus lockdown, including NHS staff and social care workers.

The parking charge suspension will operate with immediate effect and will be in place until further notice.

Enforcement measures will still continue for other contraventions, including anyone who is driving dangerously or parking illegally, such as in front of driveways.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are doing everything we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus and to support local people who are fighting the pandemic across our district.

“We need to stress that this change is to make it as easy as possible to support workers in vital services so they can respond quickly to service demands and have more time to help people.

“We are not introducing it so that it is easier for people who are not key workers to park.

“The advice for all non-key workers is to follow government guidance and Stay. At. Home.”