Tens of thousands of Rotherham residents on low incomes will be eligible for the Council’s revamped Rothercard discount scheme from April, following a decision of Cabinet (on Monday 23rd January).
Originally introduced in 1993 as an anti-poverty initiative by offering a discount on a range of Council services, Rothercard offers eligible residents discounts on some Council services, including:
- A concessionary rate is available on a range of leisure activities at Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre, Maltby Leisure Centre, Rotherham Leisure Complex and Wath-upon-Dearne Leisure Centre, including a Junior Rothercard rate for those under 16 who live in the same household as a Rothercard holder
- 50 percent discount on the removal of furniture, electrical and gas appliances from your home
- 50 percent discount off the cost of a new or replacement pink lid bin
- A concessionary rate at Rotherham theatres
- A concessionary entry price at selected leisure venues across South Yorkshire
Two new concessions have also been agreed, including a 10% discount on the cost of a hot drink at Clifton Park Museum, Thrybergh Country Park and Rother Valley Country Park from 1 April 2023; and a 5% reduction on the cost of the 2024/25 garden waste collection service for their first bin.
Over the last few years take up of the Rothercard scheme has been low and eligibility rules complicated, so from April the simpler scheme will mean that anyone in receipt of Council Tax Support will automatically be eligible. People already receiving this support will be notified of their eligibility and new applicants will be provided with a card when they make their application.
All young people aged between 16 and 21 will also be eligible for a Rothercard under the new scheme.
It’s believed that around 50,000 people in total will be eligible from April, which is around 1 in 5 of the population of the borough.
Councillors have also set out their intention to try to secure a universal “shop local” discount scheme, which would sit alongside the other discounts, but be open to every Rotherham resident. They also took the decision to introduce an electronic version of the card that could be used on smartphones, so people don’t have to carry a paper-based card where they prefer not to.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr David Sheppard, said: “The Council is dedicated to ensuring residents live well and the Rothercard is one of the ways we are working to help those on low incomes do so. By having access to the Rothercard, residents are able to access paid for services at a discounted rate so that they can remain safe and healthy, such as discounts on bulky waste removal, new pink lidded bins and on some pest control services.
“While many residents have applied for the Rothercard scheme, it is vital to see how we can make sure more residents are able to benefit from the scheme, especially in the current economic climate where it is vital that those most in need get the financial support they require, and these improvements will make this a possibility.”
Further information about the Rothercard scheme including how to apply under the existing rules can be found online at www.rotherham.gov.uk/benefits/apply-rothercard.