People have just over four weeks to give their views on how Maidstone Borough Council should save money on its council tax benefit scheme.

As part of the government’s welfare reform bill, the council is facing a £1.3 million cut in its funding to provide council tax relief.

The government currently decides who is eligible for council tax relief and how much they can get, but from April councils will have to introduce their own rules – although pensioners must be protected from any cuts.

Forced to save 10% of the amount currently distributed, the council is proposing three options: an across-the-board 24.5% reduction in discounts for everyone except pensioners; an across-the-board 18.5% reduction in discounts for everyone except pensioners, and the discount for empty properties reduced from six to three months; an across-the-board 13% reduction in discounts for everyone except pensioners, and the discount for empty properties reduced from six months to one month, plus the abolition of the 10% discount for second homes.

There will be no change the 25% single person discount. To respond, visit www.maidstone.gov.uk before Monday, October 8.