BENEFIT claimants on low incomes in Tendring will continue to receive a maximum 80 per cent discount towards their council tax bills for at least another year.

The move was agreed by Tendring Council at a meeting at Clacton Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Tendring gives the second highest maximum discount rate of any of council in Essex, despite facing £5million worth of cuts by 2019/20.

Finance boss Tom Howard also said there will be an extra protection for households that would otherwise be affected by the removal of the family premium.

"For 2017/18 I will commit to protecting the current scheme and keep the maximum local council tax scheme discount at 80 per cent,” he said.

“Although the Government is removing the premium for housing benefit applications, I have not followed this line of thinking and will keep this valuable premium within our own scheme for next year.

“This will mean that the amount people can earn before support is reduced will remain unchanged.”

Mr Howard said he is also proposing a revised hardship policy, which will provide additional relief and extend the scheme as well as widening eligibility for help with council tax bills for those with a genuine need.

Pensioners will continue to be eligible for up to 100 per cent discount on their council tax bills.