HEREFORDSHIRE Council leaders last night recommended keeping the county’s tax relief scheme for working and pension age claimants as it is.

There are around 11,000 council tax bill payers in the county who receive the local authority’s tax reduction scheme – more than 50% of these are pensioners Council tax charges can be reduced where the bill payer meets certain set criteria.

The pensioner scheme is set nationally while working age scheme is set locally by the county council.

The current tax reduction scheme was initially approved by council on December 18, 2015.

Council officers say the current set-up has been reviewed and there is no evidence to support a change at this time.

Councillors will have the final say on the proposals at a full council meeting on February 14.