> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# New council tax support scheme aiming to prevent Lichfield and Burntwood residents being “trapped” in arrears
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/new-council-tax-support-scheme-aiming-to-prevent-lichfield-and-burntwood-residents-being-trapped-in-arrears/
- Published: 2022-12-08T08:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-12-07T18:14:52.000Z
- Description: A new scheme to support residents in need of help with their council tax bills will prevent people being trapped in arrears, a councillor has said.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:07, News

A new scheme to support those struggling with their council tax bills will prevent people being trapped in arrears, a councillor has said.

Cllr Rob Strachan told a cabinet meeting at Lichfield District Council this week that some residents had been “perpetually trapped” in debt from being unable to pay.

The cabinet member for finance said a new local council tax support scheme would offer greater support for those who need it most.

> “It will look to offer support to families struggling to pay their council tax and who we have inadvertently trapped into previous bad debt.  
>  
> “The previous scheme could only offer up to 80% support and there are some for whom even that 20% expectation was always going to be too high a bar to meet. We have households who have found themselves perpetually trapped in increasing council tax arrears.  
>  
> “The support scheme will aim to include 100% support where we can offer it and includes a number of disregards of income.  
>  
> “I would hope it will be far better tailored to support those who are most vulnerable and deal with any further concerns about people being trapped in permanent arrears.”  
>  
> Cllr Rob Strachan, Lichfield District Council

Cllr Strachan said he was also hoping to tackle the issue of long term arrears given many would likely not be repaid.

> “As far as historic arrears are concerned, we recognise there are going to be some of such an age that they will never, ever be recovered.  
>  
> “It may be there are things we can do to address some of those historic debts.”  
>  
> Cllr Rob Strachan, Lichfield District Council