District councillors have renewed their commitment to supporting low-income households with their council tax bills in Tendring.

Tendring’s cabinet are to recommend that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and Exceptional Hardship Fund remain unchanged for 2026/27, continuing assistance for those who would otherwise struggle to pay. The schemes currently support more than 11,000 households across the district.

The proposal is due to be discussed at a full council meeting on November 25, when councillors are also expected to maintain the council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties.

The council says this measure, introduced in 2024 to encourage properties back into use as main residences, is already having an impact – with 138 fewer second homes in Tendring since April – helping to increase housing availability for local families.

Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of TDC, said: “Keeping the Local Council Tax Support Scheme unchanged provides stability for thousands of households who rely on it.”

He added: “The reduction in second homes shows that our approach is working to bring properties back into full-time use, which helps to address the housing shortage in our area.”