HOUSEHOLDS in the Forest will soon be able to receive a £150 Council Tax rebate from the Government to help with rising energy bills.

Forest of Dean District Council will be working to issue the non-repayable rebate to households in council tax bands A to D over the coming weeks.

Payments will be first be made to residents who pay their Council Tax by direct debit in late April.

The council says that contrary to some reports, the ‘rebate’, which is being issued under the Government’s Energy Bills Rebate scheme, will not be taken off residents’ Council Tax bills but will be issued as a separate payment.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Richard Leppington, explained: “Energy bills and the cost of living in general have been on the rise for some time now, and we are pleased to see that the Government is acknowledging this and providing some level of support through these £150 payments, which do not have to be paid back by residents.

“For those eligible, I encourage you to sign up to pay for your council tax via Direct Debit using our new online payment system, OpenPortal. This is the easiest way to set up and track your bill, and will also be the smoothest way to receive your £150 rebate in April as it can be paid directly into your bank account.”

For more information and to register, go to www.fdean.gov.uk/openportal.