Plans to cut council tax support have gone out to public consultation.

Government austerity measures will next year strip local authorities of 10 per cent of the total amount they can recover from council tax support - which would leave a £1.4million hole in the council budget if no action is taken.

Without raising council tax to make up the shortfall, two main ways of bringing in additional money have been identified.

Sutton’s residents get their chance to make their feelings felt on the future of council tax support as a 12-week consultation gets into full swing.

Technical changes to support entitlement could raise up to £678,000 as rules on second homes, unoccupied and uninhabited properties and empty homes are tightened up.

The tougher measures - which could end or seriously reduce periods during which landlords with unoccupied properties are exempt from paying council tax – will encourage owners to bring them back into use quickly.

Up to a further £789,000 could be raised by making small changes to entitlements to support - although pensioners, disabled people and households with children under five will not be affected.

The council said the plans have been carefully calculated to spread costs fairly across residents and not discourage people from getting into employment.

The consultation will end on September 17 after which councillors will have to decide what course of action must be taken for implementation on April 1 next year.

Give your opinion at consultation@sutton.gov.uk or visit Sutton.gov.uk