YOUR
Peterborough
Save on your energy bills Find out how we set our budget Council and parish elections Sign up for 2016 Perkins Great Eastern Run What’s on this year 1
Contents 3 City centre regeneration gathering pace 5 Healthy Peterborough 7 Council and parish elections
Peterborough
Register Office Making your day truly memorable
“…From the booking to the service itself, everything was perfect. The staff on the day were brilliant and made everything run just as we wanted. Thank you so much…”
9 to 19 Your council tax 20 to 23 Your fire service 24 to 27 Your police service 29 Could you benefit by switching your energy tariff? 31 Funding available for rural Peterborough and Rutland businesses 33 Countdown begins to Perkins Great Eastern Run 34 to 35 What’s on
Getting married • Forming a civil partnership • Naming a child Becoming a British citizen • Renewing your vows Peterborough Register Office 33 Thorpe Rd, Peterborough PE3 6AB. Telephone 01733 864646 | Email peterboroughregisteroffice@peterborough.gov.uk www.peterborough.gov.uk/registeroffice
PCC Register Office FP Advert (Council Tax Booklet) A4.indd 1
15/02/2016 12:55
Being a teenager is difficult enough at the best of times, so imagine what it would be like to grow up in foster care. It’s not just little ones that come into care. Sixty per cent of the children we look after are aged 13 or above. That’s why we’re looking for foster carers who can provide stability and safety for older children, whilst encouraging and motivating them to broaden their horizons.
01733 317412 ● www.peterboroughfostering.co.uk ● wanttofoster@peterborough.gov.uk
2
Cover photo by www.johnmoorephotography.com
Growth
City centre regeneration gathering pace You don’t have to walk far in the city centre to see the noticeable transformation that is underway. The latest improvements, the creation of Green Square in Long Causeway, opened at the end of last year, and there is more regeneration scheduled for 2016. Green Square followed recent work to bring a modern, welcoming look to Cathedral Square, St John’s Square, Bridge Street, Cowgate and Bourges Boulevard. Not only does this make the city centre a more appealing place to visit and work, but also to eat, drink and relax. Both Côte and Wagamama have applied for permission to open restaurants. They could join the likes of Bill’s and Argo Lounge, with both businesses enjoying a busy year since opening.
If you head in to the city centre along Thorpe Road you will notice work to build homes and a new primary school on the hospital site. Other improvement work in the city centre scheduled for 2016 includes Lower Bridge Street and the underpass, close to the Magistrates’ Court. The route from Midgate to the Cathedral is also getting a facelift. All this regeneration work is helping Peterborough to build its reputation as one of the fastest growing cities in the country. A record number of businesses are starting up and the unemployment rate is at its lowest level in decades. Peterborough has come a long way recently and as you can see, the pace of change sees no sign of slowing down.
Development is also gathering pace at Fletton Quays on the South Bank. Plans here include flats, offices and a hotel.
3
Feed Harry – don’t let your food go to waste! The food waste recycling service in Peterborough just got easier, as we’re now issuing every household with free caddy liners. All you need to do is scrape the items below straight into your lined grey food caddy and then when the small caddy is full, empty into your outside caddy and we’ll collect it every week.
Bread
Meat, poultry and bones
Tea and Coffee
Dairy (no liquids)
Fish
Scrapings
Egg shells
Peelings
The food waste collected in Peterborough generates enough electricity to power in the region of 400 homes for one year, so please use the service and do your bit to help make Peterborough a cleaner, greener place to live. If you want to know more about what happens to your food waste visit www.recap.co.uk To request more liners, display the bin hanger found in your roll of liners on your outside caddy on your collection day. If you need a replacement food waste caddy, call
01733 747474 or visit
www.peterborough.gov.uk/report
Healthy Peterborough
We sometimes take our health for granted, until we get ill. But it’s never too late to start being healthier. Throughout the year we’ll be highlighting health risks and providing you with tips on how every little change helps. As well as a Healthy Peterborough Facebook and Twitter feed, there is a dedicated website www.healthypeterborough.org.uk which offers advice on the best ways to stay healthy and pulls together local support services and opportunities available to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Some top tips include: Cut back on saturated fat, sugar and salt Check those food labels. Too much saturated fat, sugar and salt in products like cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, cereals and fizzy drinks, will increase your cholesterol, waistline and your risk of developing heart disease. Find out how much sugar is in your food and drink by scanning in your barcode to Change4life’s new Sugar Swap app.
Get moving If heading to the gym isn’t your thing there are still plenty of ways to get active. Find an exercise you enjoy as you’re more likely to stick to it. Or simply do things like take the stairs or walk the kids to school. Thirty minutes of activity a day will reduce your risk of having a heart attack.
Drink less alcohol It’s all about moderation. Drink less than 14 units per week, limiting the amount you drink in any one session, to reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. Download MyDrinkAware - an app to help you track what you’re drinking.
Stub out the cigarettes Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death. The good news is once you stop smoking your health improves and your body begins to recover. There is lots of help available to support you. Call the local Stop Smoking service on freephone 0800 376 56 55.
Get enough sleep Sleep is when our bodies heal and rest. Support these vital processes by ensuring good quality and quantity of sleep.
NHS
HEALTH CHECK
Get a free midlife MOT NHS Health Check is for adults aged 40-74 without a pre-existing condition. It spots the early signs to help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. To book a health check just call your GP.
www.healthypeterborough.org.uk 5
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Elections
Register to vote in council and parish elections With council and parish elections due on 5 May 2016, Peterborough residents are being urged to check whether they’re on the electoral register – if not, they could miss their chance to vote. The 2016 council elections are unusual in that they will be the first all-out election for more than a decade in the city. Voters will elect 60 councillors across the city based on new ward boundaries introduced in 2015. Residents have until Monday 18 April to make sure they are registered. People often think they’re automatically registered if they pay council tax, but that isn’t the case.
To vote in a local government election a person must be registered to vote and be one of the following: • a British citizen living in the UK • a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK • a citizen of the Republic of Ireland living in the UK • a European Union citizen living in the UK
The fastest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you would like a postal vote, you need to both be registered and apply by Tuesday 19 April. This is also done via www.gov.uk.
Working with the community to tackle: Anti-social behaviour ● Violent crime Domestic abuse ● Sexual offences Hate crime ● Road safety Drug and alcohol misuse
Peterborough Together. Supporting victims, reducing crime, building safe and confident communities. For more information visit www.saferpeterborough.co.uk
7
Bright future for young musicians Opportunities for Peterborough’s young musicians have never been better and Peterborough Music Hub continues to work with music making organisations across the city, providing training and performance events that support progression and develop skills.
Peterborough cultural partnership for children and young people
Admission is by audition and aimed at musicians aged between 7-18 years. The centre is not for the complete beginner. However, it will seek to attract talented young musicians who are able to demonstrate a technical and musical fluency. They will be welcomed to audition alongside more experienced players. Peterborough has a rich and diverse heritage of musical endeavour. Peterborough Youth Orchestra, the City of Peterborough Youth Ensembles and the Peterborough Centre for Young Musicians offer focused professional training and an opportunity to bring the city’s talented young musicians together, producing the perfect environments for creative excellence. Together they offer a superb foundation for higher education training options and professional music careers in the future. For further information email: musichub@peterborough.gov.uk
Young instrumentalists with the Peterborough Youth Orchestra and the City of Peterborough Youth Ensembles already enjoy the benefits of high quality tuition. Weekly sessions are held during term time on a Thursday evening at Ken Stimpson Community School, in Werrington. Sessions include junior band, concert band, junior string and senior string. All groups are currently recruiting new members. The city’s young musicians will have even greater choice from October this year with the opening of the Peterborough Centre for Young Musicians (PCYM). This exciting new venture, a collaboration between Ormiston Bushfield Academy, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Peterborough Music Hub, will offer music training on Saturday mornings throughout the academic year. Peterborough’s young musicians will have the opportunity to train locally in association with one of the world’s leading conservatoires. 8
YOUR
Council Tax
Spring 2016/17
Your Council Tax
A balanced budget with no service reductions With multi-million pound reductions in our government funding continuing to bite and ever increasing demands, the days of councils simply providing services are gone. Nowadays we have to find innovative ways of making money to provide the services residents rely upon. This year’s budget includes a number of schemes that will generate money, such as the joint venture to build our own housing. We will also continue to sell our expertise to other councils and organisations. It’s in part thanks to this income generation that we’ve been able to balance the budget this year with no reduction in services. That’s despite our government grant reducing by £9.7m and extra demands on our services totalling £14.4m. In fact, we will be investing more money in some areas including street cleaning, public transport and city parks. If we fail to generate extra income, the level of savings needed in the future could be as high as £50m, particularly with a growing elderly population and more residents with dementia or disabilities. It is for this reason, plus the government no longer offering a freeze grant, that we have had to raise council tax so we can protect the most vulnerable - as well as maintain and improve the services we deliver for all residents.
10
Cover photo by www.johnmoorephotography.com
We are increasing council tax by 1.99 per cent, as well as levying the government’s adult social care precept of two per cent. Even with this rise, residents will still be paying the lowest rates of council tax in the county and one of the lowest in the country amongst unitary authorities. Most residents will be paying between about 70 to 90 pence extra a week. We know that many of our residents are also feeling the pressure and that a rise in council tax will not be popular. However, we continue to protect those on the lowest income by making no changes to our Council Tax Support Scheme. We are also introducing a Hardship Fund to help those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I believe this budget is the result of Peterborough being a growing, and increasingly successful, city. We have a record number of businesses starting up and the unemployment rate has dropped significantly. In the last year, 1,342 houses were built in Peterborough – the highest number since 1980. Despite the constant financial challenge we face, we remain committed to ensuring that the services we deliver are improved rather than cut back. Through strong financial management, and taking difficult decisions early on, this is exactly what we have achieved for residents in this budget.
Your Council Tax
Where council funding comes from The council sets its budget each year to establish how much it needs to spend in order to provide services to the community within the resources available. A significant proportion of the total expenditure is met from general and specific government grants, including grants for schools. The council also retains a proportion of business rates and receives other income such as fees and charges. The remainder is met from council tax. The total amount the council needs to spend in 2016/17 is £438m including precepts from parish councils and levies from levying bodies. This is shown in the table below which compares this year’s figures to those of 2015/16. To arrive at the amount of money the council needs to raise from council tax payers (£64m), income from government grants, business rates and other service income needs to be deducted. The table shows an increase in the amount raised from council tax which is due to a 1.99 per cent general increase and a two per cent adult social care precept (see below). However, Peterborough continues to have one of the lowest levels of council tax in the country and there are no service reductions for 2016/17. The reduction in gross expenditure includes a reduction for schools of £0.8m, as more schools have become academies. There is also a reduction in government grant.
For 2016/17 the council needs to make £24.1m of savings in order to deal with service pressures and remain within its funding levels. Further reductions in government grants are expected in future years and the system for funding is to change as the government implements its new Business Rate Retention scheme. In deciding where the savings will be made, the council has maintained its commitment to its priorities of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, improving educational attainment, promoting growth, regeneration and economic development, supporting culture and the environment, keeping our communities safe, cohesive and healthy and achieving the best health and wellbeing for the city. Prior to the approval of the final budget the budget proposals went through a period of public consultation.
2015/16
2016/17
Change
£m
£m
%
436.4
438.0
0.4
Service income
165.3
169.0
2.3
Government support - revenue support grant
34.3
27.0
-21.4
Locally retained business rates
47.2
48.6
3.0
Schools grants
130.2
129.4
-0.6
Council tax requirement
59.5
64.0
Cost of services Gross expenditure Less:
11
Your Council Tax
Adult social care precept The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has made an offer to adult social care authorities. (“Adult social care authorities” are local authorities which have functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, namely county councils in England, district councils for an area in England for which there is no county council, London borough councils, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.) The offer is the option for an adult social care authority to charge a “precept” of up to 2 per cent on its council tax for the financial year beginning in 2016 without holding a referendum, to assist the authority in meeting expenditure on adult social care. Subject to the annual approval of the House of Commons, the Secretary of State intends to offer the option of charging this “precept” in relation to each financial year up to and including the financial year 2019-20. In relation to the financial year beginning in 2016, the Secretary of State has determined (and the House of Commons has approved) a referendum principle of 4 per cent (comprising 2 per cent for expenditure on adult social care and 2 per cent for other expenditure), for adult social care authorities. These authorities may therefore set council tax up to this percentage in 2016 without holding a referendum.
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Between 2010 and 2021 it is predicted that the number of people in Peterborough aged 85 and over is set to increase by 52 per cent. As life expectancy increases, older people are living with multiple long-term conditions associated with ageing. For example, supporting people with dementia is a growing pressure on adult social care budgets in the UK. Like many other councils, Peterborough has experienced pressure on its adult social care budgets due to a combination of increasing demand for services, including those with more complex needs, and also has had its grant funding cut. Therefore, the council has decided to levy the adult social care precept to help protect services going forward. Money raised from this precept will be spent, and continue to be spent, on adult social care services. This includes managing increasing demand for mental health and physical disability referrals, and helping the growing numbers of older people and adults with learning disabilities who require support as well as a number of other adult social care services.
Your Council Tax
Balancing our books Where does the £438 million (£436.4 million) come from?
What will be provided for £438 million (£436.4 million)?
An analysis of the gross income for 2016/17 is shown in the chart below.
An analysis of the gross expenditure for 2016/17 is shown in the chart below. 0.3%
5.5%
0.1% 3.0% 2.7% 3.6%
16.6%
7.9%
1.5%
29.5% 11.1%
16.6% 16.6%
55.6%
14.3% 6.2%
8.6% 0.3%
*Note: Figures in brackets represent the corresponding values for 2015/16
Schools funding £129.4m (£130.2m) Council tax £62.8m (£59.5m) Adult social care precept £1.2m (£0m) Specific grants £37.8m (£37.1m) Revenue support grant £27m (£34.3m) Housing benefit subsidy £72.6m (£72.6m) Locally retained business rates £48.6m (£47.2m) Other income £34.6m (£31.7m) Income from fees and charges £24 (£23.8m)
Chief Executive £0.4m (£0.4m) Public health £11.9m (£9.7m) Governance £13m (£12.8m) Growth and Regeneration £15.8m (£15.6m) People and Communities £243.7m (£242.1m) Resources £72.7m (£75.6m) Business rates tariff £6.7m (£6.6m) Housing benefit £72.6m (£72.6m) Levies and precepts £1.2m (£1m)
*Note - Public Health is now a separate department to People and Communities
The majority of the council’s funding comes from the government and comprises the specific funding for schools, revenue support grant (RSG) and individual grants for specific purposes, such as housing benefits. The council’s other main sources of income are council tax and a proportion of the business rates collected.
The main expenditure is incurred in the People and Communities directorate, which includes Children’s Services, schools and Adult Social Care. Growth and Regeneration covers other major services including planning, transport, engineering and highways. Governance includes commercial operations, legal services and the licensing function. Resources includes major external contracts for waste management, cultural services, support services and capital financing costs. Chief Executive includes some support and project costs. 13
Your Council Tax
Levies paid to other organisations by Peterborough City Council Levies are statutory payments made to other organisations who are funded by local taxpayers. The total levy issued is shared in proportion to the taxbase of all contributing local authorities. The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood and coastal erosion risk management for 2,292 kilometres of main river, tidal and sea defences in the Anglian Northern Region. Money is spent on the construction of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood defences. The majority of the funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Flood and Rural Affairs (Defra). However some schemes do not attract full funding and to ensure the
scheme’s completion the Environment Agency may seek match funding from councils in the form of a levy. Changes in the gross budgeted expenditure between the years reflects the impact of the Government Spending Review and national prioritisation of capital projects. The total local levy raised by the Environment Agency has been frozen for 2016/17. Internal drainage boards manage an extensive network of watercourses, embankments, pumping stations and other water control assets within the local area in order to maintain water levels and mitigate the risk of flooding. Under the Land Drainage Act 1991 the boards can raise income from the areas for which they provide water level management to maintain and improve their assets, this is partly achieved by a levy on local authorities.
2015/16 Levy raised
Gross exp
Total
Council share
£m
£m
Environment Agency Anglian Region
42.8
Welland and Deepings Drainage Board North Level District Drainage Board
Levying bodies
14
2016/17 Levy raised
Change in council levy
Gross exp
Total
Council share
£m
£m
£m
£m
%
1.7
0.2
44.0
1.7
0.2
0.0
2.1
1.5
0.2
2.1
1.5
0.2
0.0
1.5
0.8
0.3
1.5
0.8
0.3
2.6
Your Council Tax
How much is council tax? We set the council tax by adding together the amounts needed by Peterborough City Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority and your parish council (if you have one). PCC general council tax increase
We collect the total tax on behalf of the other organisations. We set the charge for band D properties. We then set the charges for properties in other bands in proportion to this, as set by an Act of Parliament. Band D Charge
1.99% 2%
2015/16
2016/17
change
Peterborough City Council
£1,128.03
£1,173.04
3.99%
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire
£181.35
£183.15
0.99%
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority
£64.26
£65.52
1.96%
Total
£1,373.64
£1,421.71
PCC adult social care precept
Plus the parish council charge, if you have one - see below. The amount of discretionary council funding received by parishes has been reduced. Precepts 2015/16 £
Precepts 2016/17 £
Parish
Band D parish charge 2015/16 £
Band D parish charge 2016/17 £
Change
5,614
5,923
Ailsworth
24.21
25.02
3.4
%
5,695
5,821
Bainton & Ashton
38.77
39.55
2.0
10,776
12,741
Barnack
26.65
30.62
14.9
80,000
105,000
Bretton
26.49
33.89
27.9
17,336
21,766
Castor
47.61
59.08
24.1
3,096
3,416
Deeping Gate
14.85
15.91
7.1
1,995
2,109
Etton
38.74
42.43
9.5 -7.2
53,025
52,550
Eye
37.86
35.12
13,652
14,778
Glinton
23.53
25.00
6.3
76,315
96,706
Hampton
21.75
26.88
23.6
8,550
10,300
Helpston
20.44
24.02
17.5
711
1,494
Marholm
10.05
20.10
100.1
4,200
4,200
Maxey
13.44
13.30
-1.1
15,250
21,346
Newborough & Borough Fen
26.80
36.67
36.8
20,980
20,628
Northborough
43.28
42.19
-2.5
32,250
32,413
Orton Longueville
10.74
10.52
-2.1
44,735
47,023
Orton Waterville
13.54
13.54
0.0
5,715
5,585
Peakirk
34.02
32.09
-5.7
555
555
2,975
1,350
Southorpe
7.49
7.56
1.0
Sutton
44.14
20.52
-53.5
0
0
40,710
40,560
St Martin’s Without Thorney
0
0
0
52.89
51.58
-2.5 -0.8
5,075
5,075
Thornhaugh
55.71
55.28
7,371
7,420
Ufford
60.47
60.47
0
0
0
Upton
0
0
0
9,985
9,985
Wansford
42.06
41.62
-1.0
46,936
46,936
Wittering
64.48
64.13
-0.5
0
0
Wothorpe
0
0
0
15
Your Council Tax
Council tax discounts If only one adult lives in a home, we reduce the bill by a quarter. In some cases, we do not count some groups of people when adding up how many adults live in a property. These groups of people include students, apprentices, some student nurses, certain care workers and carers, youth trainees and people with severe learning disabilities. Annexes occupied by family members may also receive a discount. You have to claim the single person’s discount as it is not automatic. So, if you think you should receive a discount please visit www.peterborough.gov.uk where you can complete the relevant application form on-line. If you already receive a discount, you must tell us within 21 days about changes to the people living in your home affecting your discount (for example, someone who lives with you becoming 18 or someone else coming to live in your home). If you do not tell us, you may have to pay a £70 fine. Who pays council tax? There is a council tax bill for all homes. The person who has to pay council tax is usually the adult householder. The amount of council tax you pay reflects the value of your home, so the more expensive your home the more council tax you have to pay. The person who is highest in the box to the right is the person who has to pay. If there are two or more people at the same level for example - joint owners or joint tenants - they are all responsible for payment.
Responsibility for payment This list helps us decide who is the liable person: • the resident owner (freeholder) • the resident leaseholder • the resident tenant • the resident licensee • the resident Couples living together are both responsible for paying the bill. If nobody is living in a domestic property the owner has to pay. The owner also has to pay if the property is: • A residential home • Lived in by religious communities (for example a monastery or convent) • A house in multiple occupation – occupied by persons who do not constitute a single household • The main home of someone employed by the owner in domestic service • Lived in by certain ministers of religion • Provided under Section 95, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Council tax instalments are usually payable over ten months. You now have the right to request your instalments over 12 months and to do so you must apply in writing to the council by 8 April 2016. Any written applications received after this date will be entitled to be spread over the number of full months remaining in the year.
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Your Council Tax
Council tax support
Council tax exemptions
If you are having difficulty paying your council tax you may be entitled to some help. Many people may be entitled to reduced council tax, for example those receiving Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit. If you receive one of these benefits, or are on a low income, you can check your entitlement to support using the online calculator or make an online claim for council tax support on our website.
Exempt homes Some homes are exempt from council tax, meaning that no one has to pay. This includes homes: • lived in only by students • where all the residents are under 18 years old • where all the residents have severe learning disabilities
• You may qualify even if you are working
• that are owned or leased by a diplomat or a member of visiting armed forces
• Both tenants and owner-occupiers can apply
• that are empty, including the following:
• People of state pension age can get up to 100 per cent reduction in their council tax. Those of working age can get up to 70 per cent reduction • If you pay for childcare we can disregard up to £175 (for one child) or up to £300 (for two or more children) from your earnings • The amount of council tax support may be reduced if there are other adults living in your home Changes to Council Tax Support: • From April 2016, for working age claims, the maximum amount of time you can backdate your entitlement to a discount is being reduced from up to six months down to one month. Please ensure you make a claim as soon as you may become entitled, as any delay without ‘continuous good cause’ could result in loss of entitlement. • From May 2016 the family premium is being removed. This is an amount included in the benefit calculation where you have at least one dependent child. Anyone receiving the premium on 1 May 2016 will be protected from the change and will continue to receive it until they no longer meet the criteria for this, at which point it will cease. • To assist with the above changes and to help with any other individual circumstances that may cause significant financial hardship there is a discretionary scheme available. For more information about this and to apply please contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 0344 499 4120 or go to www.citapeterborough.org.uk
- are owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months) - left empty by someone who has gone to prison, hospital or a nursing or residential home - left empty by someone who has died (exempt up to six months after grant of probate) - have been repossessed, or are the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee - awaiting to be lived in by a minister of religion - empty caravan pitches or boat moorings On 1 April 2013 some council tax exemptions and discounts changed. There is a single change for 2016/17. Substantially unfurnished and unoccupied: The one month discount of 100 per cent has been removed. Help with council tax for disabled people If you, or an adult or child who lives with you, has a room, an extra bathroom or kitchen or extra space in your property to allow the use of a wheelchair that is needed to meet the special needs of the disability, we may be able to reduce your bill. Please contact us for more information. Contact If you are unsure about whether you can get help, please visit www.peterborough.gov.uk in the first instance for FAQs and on-line forms. If you still require assistance call 01733 452258 for further advice. The quicker you ask, the less you may have to pay. 17
Your Council Tax
Valuation bands The government has put all homes in one of eight bands depending on their open-market value as at 1 April 1991. This cannot take account of any changes in the price of property (either up or down) since April 1991. The council tax is set at the level of Band D properties. Other bands pay in proportions of ninths, as shown opposite. Council tax banding appeals The listing officer of the valuation office agency (part of HM Revenue and Customs) values a home for banding. If you think that your valuation band is wrong, you must contact the listing officer. The address is: The Listing Officer, Council Tax East, Valuation Office Agency, Ground Floor, Ferrer’s House, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AB Fax: 03000 500975 Email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk National helpline: 0845 602 1507
Valuation band
Values
Proportion of band D payable
A
Up to £40,000
6/9ths
B
£40,001 to £52,000
7/9ths
C
£52,001 to £68,000
8/9ths
D
£68,001 to £88,000
9/9ths
E
£88,001 to £120,000
11/9ths
F
£120,001 to £160,000
13/9ths
G
£160,001 to £320,000
15/9ths
H
More than £320,000
18/9ths
Council tax liability appeals You can appeal if you think your bill is incorrect – for example, if you are not the resident, if you think you should have an exemption, or there is a mistake in working out your bill. You may appeal in writing to us, giving your reasons so that we can look at your case again. Please note: Making an appeal does not allow you to stop paying the council tax that is due. If your appeal is successful, you will be entitled to a refund of any council tax you have overpaid. If you would like more details of the appeals procedure (including the role of valuation tribunals), please visit www.peterborough.gov.uk and search for council tax. If you should still require assistance call us on 01733 452258.
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Your Council Tax
Do it online You can set up direct debit payments for council tax and business rates and get information about benefits in a matter of minutes - if you do it online. Our online services help Peterborough residents get what they need fast and simply. There’s also an online housing benefits and council tax support application form. This means: • no need to phone and wait for a form to arrive in the post • no need to go into town to pick up or drop off a form • no more endless pages of forms to fill in How you can sign up Sign up for self service and access information about your benefits, council tax or business rates. You will be provided with a secure login to keep your information safe. To find out more information or to sign up for any of the self service options visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/selfservice Applying for a benefit Register in three simple steps: Step one – log on to www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/benefits Step two – answer a few questions then click submit
Benefit self service
Benefit landlord’s self service
In addition to now being able to claim benefits online, you can also sign up to benefit self service. This will allow you to view the following information about your claim:
Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your tenant’s claim if being paid direct:
• benefit payments • calculations • household members
• summary of claim details • payment details • overpayments/invoices • view correspondence
• income used in assessment • overpayments/invoices Council tax self service
Business rates self service
Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your council tax account:
Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your business rate account:
• payment details
• account details
• account and property details
• bill details
• correspondence sent
• e-billing sign up
• e-billing sign up
• set up a direct debit
• rateable values
• set up a Direct Debit • make a payment arrangement
Step three - scan and email the documents the form requests
There are a number of ways you can contact Peterborough City Council. If you can’t find the answer to your question on our website www.peterborough.gov.uk you can send us an email using the ‘contact us’ page on the website or send an email to ask@peterborough.gov.uk. You can also call 01733 452258.
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Your Fire Service
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is responsible for providing an efficient and effective fire and rescue service. This is achieved by responding to 999 emergencies along with balancing resources across fire safety in the home and at work. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to be one of the lowest costing fire and rescue services in the country, yet continually strives to improve the service it provides to the public.
Background The fire authority has continued to face significant financial challenges for the past few years. The grant funding received from the Government has been reduced by 46.6 per cent over the last four financial years. The reduction for the coming year is 12.2 per cent.
For the latest information about CFRS, follow us on @cambsfrs and
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Facebook/cambsfrs
Your Fire Service
What does it mean? The budget has been prepared for the next four to five years after making a number of assumptions, which are: • A two per cent increase in the fire authority element of council tax for 2016/17 • A reduction of £2.8 million in government funding over the next four years • An increase of one per cent per year due to inflation. In summary, the authority will receive revenue support and business rate contributions of £10.7 million.
Budget The fire authority has approved a budget of £28.5 million for 2016/17. This is equivalent to an annual Band D council tax contribution of £65.52, which equates to £1.26 a week. The fire authority will have estimated general reserves of £2.2 million at the end of 2015/16. This is to fund excessive operational costs that might arise. For more information about your fire service visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk
This is a reduction of £1 million from the grant received in 2015/16, equivalent to 8.6 per cent.
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Your Fire Service
What is the money spent on? 2015/16
Inflation
Other variations
2016/17
£m
£m
£m
£m
Employees
21.406
0.244
0.143
21.793
Premises
1.266
0.005
-0.002
1.269
Supplies and services
5.323
0.007
-0.460
4.870
Transport
0.466
-0.030
0
0.436
Agency costs
0.141
0.001
0.001
0.141
Capital financing
1.763
-0.001
-0.026
1.788
Gross expenditure
30.365
0.226
-0.294
30.297
Income
-1.646
-0.018
-0.180
-1.844
Net expenditure
28.719
0.208
-0.474
28.453
2015/16
Inflation
Other variations
2016/17
£m
£m
£m
£m
Where does the money come from?
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Business rates
3.504
0
0.036
3.540
Non-ringfenced government grant
8.129
0
-0.989
7.140
Council tax requirement
17.086
0.069
0.618
17.773
Total
28.719
0.069
-0.335
28.453
PR
THE BUETSTSO N
Press to test Your smoke alarm Check your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button. If you know someone that would have difficulty testing their alarm, give them a hand and press their button for them. For news, incident updates and safety tips follow us on: 23
Your Police Service
Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner As Police and Crime Commissioner I am responsible for ensuring that the police force in Cambridgeshire Sir Graham Bright is efficient and effective. My overarching objective, and that of the constabulary, is to keep people safe. I do not run the police force. That is the job of Chief Constable, Alec Wood. I hold him to account on behalf of the public for delivery of the Police and Crime Plan within the budget I have set. Because of increasing funding pressures I have had to make very difficult decisions in relation to the policing part of the council tax. I am pleased to say we have succeeded in balancing the budget with minimal council tax rises and still maintained the same number of front line officers, an achievement very few forces can claim. Reporting on the Constabulary’s efficiency, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary stated that “Cambridgeshire Constabulary is well prepared to face 24
its future financial challenges” and has “plans in place to make all the expected savings needed through to 2019.” Cambridgeshire efficiency was judged to be good. Our priorities are set out in the Police and Crime Plan. Our commitment includes: • Maintaining local police performance • Delivering policing within the available budget • Tackling crime and disorder • Keeping people safe • Maintain the resilience of protective services The full Police and Crime Plan can be found on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website: www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk The Chief Constable and I remain committed to providing an effective and efficient police service that will continue to protect those living in, working in or visiting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Sir Graham Bright
Your Police Service
Keeping people safe In the past year we have continued to help make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a safer place: • The Victims’ Hub continues to support all victims of crime, providing specialist support services across the county. Over 10,000 victims of crime have been referred to the hub since opening and specialist support provided to 6,200 people • The Volunteer Police Cadets continue to go from strength to strength with units established in Peterborough, Wisbech, Soham and new units under development in other areas • The Police and Crime Commissioner issued over £2 million of grants to prevent crime and safeguard the public • There has been a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable members of society
Looking to the future There are a number of major programmes of work that will continue in the year ahead including: •C ontinued collaboration with other police forces, particularly Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary to share resources and improve efficiency •C ontinuing to work closely with local authorities and other local agencies in order to ensure there is a joined-up approach to preventing and reducing crime • E quipping officers with new communication technology, reducing the amount of paperwork and allowing officers to spend more time in their local communities • S upporting the victims of crime through the Victims’ Hub and other victim focussed initiatives
Caption: @fencops 25
Your Police Service
The budget
Where the money comes from
The 2016/17 budget will see a 0.52 per cent reduction in policing grant on the previous year, which is £416,000 less. Despite ongoing budget pressures, the total number of police officer posts in the constabulary establishment is budgeted to slightly increase from 1,343 in 2015/16 to 1,352 in 2016/17. We have been able to balance the budget with a 0.99 per cent increase in the policing element of the council tax for 2016. Looking further ahead we face ongoing budget reductions over the next few years with an estimated additional £6.6 million of savings to be found by 2019/20.
2016/17 Council tax
£m
%
50.1
37.4
Police grant
79.4
59.3
Other grants
1.0
0.7
Other income
1.4
1.0
Reserves
2.0
1.5
133.9
100
Total
What the money is spent on
2016/17 Employees
£m
%
78.3
58.5
Police officer pensions
12.4
9.3
Premises
3.9
2.9
Transport
1.1
0.8
Supplies and services
11.1
8.3
Collaborated units
22.4
16.7
2.3
1.7
PCC grants Capital financing Total
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2.4
1.8
133.9
100
Your Police Service
Capital programme The Commissioner has a capital programme (premises and other assets) for 2016/17 of £4.8m which includes historical and new commitments such as: • ICT, finance and communications projects to replace current systems with updated and integrated ones • Major repairs to buildings and the replacement of the vehicle workshop • Replacement of vehicles • Collaborated unit projects Workforce Despite the significant funding reduction, police officer numbers have slightly increased. The total number of police officers budgeted for will be 1,352 in 2016/17 with 1,047 of these being local policing officer posts. A total of 803 police staff and 150 PCSOs have been included in the budget. Our target for special constables remains at 300. Through collaborating with Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary also has access to additional officers if needed.
Reserves General reserves are held in the event of any unforeseen high impact policing operations. The Commissioner will have estimated general reserves of £7.2m (5.5 per cent of net budget) at the end of 2015/16. The Commissioner also maintains earmarked reserves for capital financing, potential risks, new initiatives and to deal with insurance claims. Finally, the budget assistance reserve currently stands at £9.8m. The revenue budget for 2016/17 seeks to use £2m of this budget assistance reserve to balance the budget, while the changes and savings being achieved through organisational and operational support collaboration are realised. Opportunities to replenish this reserve will be sought throughout the Medium Term Financial Plan period as those benefits materialise in later years. Contacts If you need to contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, please write to: The Chief Executive Office of the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner PO BOX 688 Huntingdon PE29 9LA Telephone: 0300 333 3456 Email: cambs-pcc@cambs.pnn.police.uk Website: www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk Twitter: @PCCCambs
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Make friends and save money by car sharing! What is car sharing? When more than one person occupies a car on a journey.
Why should I car share? It saves you money (up to £1000 a year for commuting) and benefits the environment—less individual car journeys, means less CO2 pollution.
Is it just for drivers? No. As a driver, you can offer someone a lift, but equally non-drivers can take lifts with others.
How do I find people to share with? Search online for car sharing platforms. There are a growing number of websites and apps that you can use to help you find someone to car share with, this could be for a one off journey to a game or for your regular commute.
Find links to car sharing websites at www.travelchoice.org.uk/carsharing
travelchoicepcc
@pcctravelchoice
Peterborough Energy
Half a million in savings for Peterborough residents! More than 2000 Peterborough residents are seeing the benefits of switching their energy tariff to Peterborough Energy. Formed by Peterborough City Council and award-winning national supplier OVO Energy, Peterborough Energy aims to save residents money by offering competitively priced, fair tariffs. On average, residents have saved £242 per year by choosing Peterborough Energy to supply their gas and electricity on a dual fuel fixed tariff since it launched a year ago, resulting in potential savings across Peterborough of almost £500,000. Peterborough Energy also offers tariffs for city residents with pre-payment meters. Cause for celebration Special prizes have been given to mark the 500th, 1,000th and 2,000th customers to sign up. Mandy, the 1,000th customer, received a bumper pre-Christmas bonus with a voucher worth £237 to spend at Queensgate shopping centre.
Paulina, from one of the rural villages, said: “The process was very simple, one of the best switching experiences I have had. I am impressed that I could still save despite switching regularly.” Ryan, from Bretton, bought his first house last autumn so making savings was top of his agenda, “Buying a house is definitely the most stressful thing I have done and it’s easy to feel the costs are spiralling. Switching energy providers has helped me keep some of my bills down and hopefully I’ll have a bit more to spend on my new home.” Award winning partners OVO Energy provide all customer service and billing for Peterborough Energy. They have recently received accolades at the uSwitch Energy Awards 2015. OVO was crowned Supplier of the Year for the second year in a row, won 11 out of the 12 awards available and scored the highest customer satisfaction rating in the awards’ history (93 per cent).
Success stories The Mayor of Peterborough and Leader of Peterborough City Council have switched. The Mayor, Councillor John Peach, made an annual saving of £400 and the Leader, Councillor John Holdich, is now potentially £450 better off each year.
Tell your friends! Already switched to Peterborough Energy? Ask your friends to mention your name when they set up their own switch and you will each receive a £20 Amazon voucher once they complete their switch.* How to switch For more information or to switch, visit www.peterboroughenergy.co.uk or call 0800 408 6706 for pay monthly customers or 0800 408 6710 for Pay As You Go (pre-payment). *Full T&Cs available on https://goo.gl/y1yPZU 29
Sign up to the 2016/17 Garden Waste Collection Service
Renew or subscribe for the first time from 4 April 2016
Receive garden waste collections throughout the year for £39 The 2016/17 service will run from 23 May 2016 – 19 May 2017. Sign up before the 30 June and you can pay by Direct Debit in three instalments. How to sign up…
by phone 01733 747474
Visit us online www.peterborough.gov.uk/brownbins
Visit Bayard Place, Broadway PE1 1FZ Monday to Friday 9am – 2pm
If you do not re-subscribe to this service your brown bin will not be emptied after 20 May 2016. You can also take your garden waste to the Householders’ Recycling Centre in Dogsthorpe.
SERVICE with a
Consider a career at the city council Peterborough City Council is a unique and high performing local authority and our staff are at the centre of our success. Our city is a thriving, regional centre for commerce, transport and leisure. It’s home to approximately 200,000 people and a significant number of local businesses. We are a council central to the success of Peterborough, welcoming hundreds of commuters and visitors each day. It is our job not only to meet, but also exceed, the needs of different communities within the city.
Supporting local businesses
Value, variety and freshness
Next to Northminster Car Park
LOVE YOUR CITY MARKET Less than 5 minutes walk from Queensgate Shopping Centre
Our core values are designed to ensure we deliver excellent services for the public. Our ambition is to create a bigger and better Peterborough through sustainable development and growth so that every neighbourhood remains a great place to live, work and visit. At the council, if you have the drive and determination to succeed you will benefit from career, wellbeing and lifestyle opportunities. If you think you are up for the challenge, we hope you choose to join us as we lead Peterborough through the exciting times ahead. View and apply for council jobs at www.peterborough.gov.uk
Rural Peterborough and Rutland LEADER Programme ÂŁ1m fund available to help rural Peterborough and Rutland businesses and communities.
Are you a farmer, grower, forester or other business or community organisation based in rural Peterborough or Rutland? If so, you may be eligible to apply for LEADER funding to help you expand. Contact Opportunity Peterborough to find out more: 01733 317 404 www.leaderfunding.co.uk
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Enter the greatest run in the east! With almost 7,000 runners across the half marathon, Anna’s Hope Fun Run and wheelchair race, it was a record breaking event - including for its winner, Kenyan Philip Koech, who ran its fastest time yet of 61.40. The half marathon was the second fastest in the UK last year and turnout on the day was the highest ever. Registrations are now open for the 10th successive year of the race, which takes place on 9 October 2016, and organiser Peterborough City Council is gearing up for another bumper year. The Perkins Great Eastern Run has a great reputation among half marathons in the UK. Not only does its fast, flat course give runners an excellent chance of a personal best, but the route is a visually interesting one and is lined throughout with supporters, giving runners excellent encouragement and support.
The Perkins Great Eastern Run starts and finishes in the heart of historic Peterborough and takes in plenty of sights on the way. Runners also appreciate the high quality goody bags that are given out at the finish line, which include a technical t-shirt, a commemorative medal and other running-related treats. Novice runners can get all the running support and training advice they need for this year’s race. Free weekly training sessions take place at the Peterborough Embankment Athletics Track from July and on race day pacers will lead runners around the course at different times from start to finish. To enter visit www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk or pop into the Visitor Information Centre.
2014|2015
Last year’s Perkins Great Eastern Run was the city’s most successful half marathon since the race made its return to Peterborough in 2006.
Follow us @CityofPeterAcad
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What’s on
What’s on Here is just a snippet of the events that are in store for our city this year.
24–25 World War One Centenary Concerts – The Kingsgate Conference Centre
For a full list of what’s on in and around the city visit www.visitpeterborough.com/events
25–26 Rail Mail Weekend – Nene Valley Railway
March 24–28 Annual Easter Beer Festival – Charters
29 Pantaloons Out Door Theatre - Gulliver’s Travels – John Clare Cottage
25–26 Festival of Antiques – Peterborough Arena
July
27 Burghley Easter Egg Hunt – Burghley House & Gardens
April 5 If you go down to the Fen today! – The Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre 8–10
Diesel Gala – Nene Valley Railway
9 National Garden Railway Show – Peterborough Arena 23 Roy Orbison & the Travelling Wilburys Tribute – Key Theatre 23 The Mayor’s Concert with the Royal Anglian Regiment Band – Peterborough Cathedral
2–3
Heritage Festival – City centre
2–3
Open Art Studios – Peterborough
8–10
Just Dogs Live – Peterborough Arena
9 Battle Proms Concert – Burghley House & Gardens 9–10
Open Art Studios – Peterborough
23 Peterborough Youth Choir Summer Concert – The Broadway Theatre 24
Classic Car Sunday – Nene Valley Railway
27–31 Burghley Film Festival 2016 – Burghley House & Gardens
August
27 The Manuscripts of John Clare – Peterborough Museum
5 Bryan Adams – Get Up tour – Peterborough Embankment
28 Swan Lake presented by The Vienna Ballet – The Cresset Theatre
13
May
20–21 The Aspergers Flyers – Nene Valley Railway
1–2
Truckfest – Peterborough Arena
14–15 MCN bike show – Peterborough Arena 21
Motorcycle Event – Cathedral Square
28 Opening of the Lido for its 80th Season – Peterborough Lido
June 9-19
Cherry fair – Embankment
11
Bryan Ferry – Burghley House
11 Dragon Boat Festival – Peterborough Rowing Club at Thorpe Meadows 18 Outdoor theatre-Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles – Sacrewell Farm & Countryside Centre
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25–26 Burghley Fine Food Market – Burghley House & Gardens
Green Festival – Cathedral Square
17–21 Equifest – Peterborough Arena
23–27 39th Peterborough Beer Festival – Embankment
September 1–4 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – Burghley House & Gardens 3–4 Peterborough Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show – Embankment 3–4 Keyfeste – Key Theatre and Riverside 4 Magic of the Muscials – The Broadway Theatre 10–11 Peterborough Italian Festival – Cathedral Square
What’s on
17–25 Nene Valley Festival – Key locations in the Nene Valley 29 Sep– 9 Oct Bridge Fair – Embankment 30 Forever Jackson 2016 – The Cresset Theatre 30 Sep– 1 Oct Peterborough Festival of Antiques – Peterborough Arena
October 1–9 Burghley Flower Festival – Burghley House & Gardens 9 The Autumn Food and Country Fair 2016 – Peterborough Arena 9 Perkins Great Eastern Run – Embankment 15–30 The Burghley Pumpkin Trail – Burghley House & Gardens 22 Peterborough Diwali Festival – Cathedral Square
November 5
Firework Fiesta – Peterborough Arena
11
Armistice events – City centre
13
Remembrance Sunday – City centre
18 Some Guys have all the Luck - (The Rod Stewart Story) – The Cresset Theatre 19 Christmas Lights Switch on – Cathedral Square
December From 1 Christmas services – Peterborough Cathedral
www.visitpeterborough.com
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Last year
Peterborough Energy
SAVED RESIDENTS
an average of
£242 *
Switch today and you could save too.
Pay monthly call 0800 408 6706
Pay as you go call 0800 408 6710 Visit www.peterboroughenergy.co.uk
*£242 is the average saving of dual-fuel customers that actually switched to Peterborough Energy between 01/05/2015 – 31/12/2015; individual savings will vary according to current supplier, location, consumption and Peterborough Energy tariff options. Should you change your mind about switching, you will have 14 days from the date of sign up to cancel your contract.
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