The council’s magazine for the city and villages of Peterborough
Special Edition - April 2012 to March 2013
Great Expectations
Inside: Your Council Tax Summary for 2012/2013 www.peterborough.gov.uk
Contents Pages 9 to 32 - Council Tax Summary 2012/2013 Page 10 - Leader’s message These are challenging times but I am proud of Peterborough – proud of its people, the jobs we are creating and the opportunities that are out there for all of us. Councillor Marco Cereste – Leader of Peterborough City Council and Cabinet Member for Growth, Strategic Planning, Economic Development and Business Engagement.
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Pictures (above) and on page 5 courtesy of John Ord Photography
Pages 4 to 5
Page 5
How Louis Smith is preparing for London 2012
Louise Hazel and the other top local stars to watch out for at the Olympics
Horse power
London calling
Page 7
Pages 36 to 37
The multi-million pound schools rebuilding programme continues
Your essential guide to what’s planned and when
Dream to reality
What a year ahead
The Perkins Great Eastern Run This year’s Perkins Great Eastern Run will be bigger and better than ever. For the first time, the half marathon has been designated a Grand Prix and Championship race. For more information on the race, how to enter and road closures go to pages 38 to 39.
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Cool Hand Louis How Smith is preparing to stun the world again Louis Smith is a picture of calm. Cool, laid-back, untroubled. And that’s some feat given everything that’s happened to him in the last four years. Only those closest to him would have known what he was capable of when he went to the Beijing Olympics. Let’s face it, gymnastics was hardly on the nation’s radar when it came to looking out for medal hopefuls. But after a spectacular performance on the pommel horse, the image of the guy from Eye was everywhere. One faultless display of balance and strength added to the ability to keep calm while under the most intense scrutiny saw him become the first Briton for a century to win an individual Olympic medal – and Peterborough’s best-kept secret was suddenly international news. Spin forward four years and where there was hope in Beijing, there’s now expectation in London. But when asked about how he’s feeling about the Olympics, that unflappable character once again comes through. “I feel alright about it all,” he says. “There’s always expectation and pressure in whatever job you do. It doesn’t worry me. “I’ve felt the pressure for four years now and I’ve just got to make sure I stay in the right frame of mind.” It’s cool hand Louis now then, but even Smith’s temperament must have been tested back in October when he and his team mates in the Great Britain’s men’s squad failed at their attempt to qualify for the London games. With the top eight going through, the GB team finished tenth. Without a team to be part of, the rules for Olympic qualification get complicated. It is likely there would have only been only one individual place available and the selectors would have had an agonising choice to pick a single gymnast from GB’s elite group. In the end, the team did secure its place at the Olympic test event at the O2 Arena in January. But it must have been a troubling few weeks and Smith – who launched Peterborough’s Olympic torch celebrations last May - isn’t taking his London selection for granted. “I’ve got to qualify yet,” he says.
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“I’ve got to make it into the team yet,” he says. “There are five places up for grabs. “We won’t be told until May. I’m just training as hard as I can ahead of the European Championships in April first.” Between now and then, GB gymnastics officials will piece together a team ready to take on the best in Europe and then the world. “We’re capable of putting together a really good team – but there are lots out there,” says Smith. “In Europe, the Russians are very strong, so are the Romanians. “Then there’s the Japanese, the US team and the Chinese – there’s plenty of competition.” Plenty of competition then and, says Smith, plenty to work on. His base is the Huntingdon Gymnastic Club where he trains alongside another GB medal prospect Daniel Keatings under the watchful eye of coach Paul Hall. To an outsider there’s nothing hi-tech about the gym. Equipment such as the parallel bars are housed in deep trenches. The trenches are filled with foam to break the fall of gymnasts as they practice yet another dismount. It’s a cramped building, but such has been the success of Smith and World Championship silver medallist Keatings that it’s become a dream academy for young hopefuls. From a balcony several feet above the gymnasium, anxious parents look down. They chat quietly, but their eyes never leave their own children as the youngsters below attempt the same early, faltering moves that have eventually led Smith and company to glory. And in the middle of all the youngsters is the elite group. They practice. They rest. They chat. They joke…and then they’re off again. Tumbling, jumping, running – building their power, poise and precision on one piece of apparatus after another. In Smith’s case, his legs are a blur as he practices another routine, travelling from one end of the pommel horse to the other. This is where a million training sessions take place, so come the moment when it counts, he’ll be ready to show the world what he can do.
London calling for other local stars Goldie Sayers will be looking to finish in the medals at the London games after her agonising fourth place finish in the javelin in Beijing in 2008. The former Peterborough Athletics Club star definitely has the talent and the javelin starts on 7 August at the Olympic Stadium. Heptathlete Louise Hazel will be determined not to be overshadowed by Olympic poster girl and GB rival, Jessica Ennis. The 26-year-old from March took gold in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi. The heptathlon begins on 3 August. “We’ve just come back from 11 days in Mexico,” he says. “It was a good training camp. It was a chance to get some sun as well which is always good. “I’ve got a few pounds to lose,” he laughs. “But the training for the next competitions will take care of that.” Keeping calm and carrying on, Smith heads back to work. If – but more likely when – he stands alongside that pommel horse this summer, seconds before he goes for Olympic glory again, one rather gets the feeling he’ll still be just as calm. But the hearts of the watching residents of Peterborough will be pounding.
Factfile on Louis Smith Born: 22 April 1989 School: Arthur Mellows Village College, Glinton Achievements: 2006 – Gold – Pommel Horse – Commonwealth Games, Melbourne 2007 – Bronze – Pommel Horse – World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Stuttgart 2008 – Bronze – Pommel Horse – Olympic Games – Beijing 2010 – Silver - World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Rotterdam.
Matt Skelhon from Stilton will be out to defend the gold medal he won in the 10m prone air rifle at the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008. Look out for him on 30 August at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. Nick Dempsey, 31, has come a long way since he first tried out a windsurfer at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough as a child. He’s competed at three Olympics so far. The RS:X world champion goes for glory in Weymouth on 30 July.
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Fostering
Peterborough’s Future
Have you ever thought about fostering? We are looking for people from all backgrounds to foster children in Peterborough. We need a variety of people to care for: • • • • •
Teenagers Children from various ethnic backgrounds Brothers and sisters Children with different disabilities Babies
For more information, contact us on
0800 0850 713 Fostering@peterborough.gov.uk www.peterborough.gov.uk/fostering
Investing in education It’s been called the schools revolution - a £300 million pound project to re-build schools across Peterborough. From the outside it may have looked like an ambitious dream. But that dream is fast turning into a reality. In 2012, the new build at the Ormiston Bushfield Academy will open and Stanground College, the Nene Park Academy and Hampton College will all receive major refurbishments. In recent years, the impressive surrounds of the Thomas Deacon Academy and The Voyager Academy have been welcome new additions to the Peterborough landscape at a combined cost of just over £100 million. But there have been other secondary schools where vast sums have been spent as well. Arthur Mellows Village College, St John Fisher Catholic High School and The King’s School all received a share of a £30 million pot. And the spending on education is far from over. In the forthcoming budget, the city council has announced plans to spend a further £74 million on primary schools across the city. Work is also expected to begin this year on a new free school – the City of Peterborough Academy on the site of the former Hereward Community College in Eastfield. The school will be run by the Greenwood Academies Trust, which will also run a special school on the site one of only three free special schools to have received government approval so far. Councillor John Holdich, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and University said: “We need to give every child in Peterborough every opportunity to learn in the best surroundings and the modernisation of our schools is a key priority for us. “When I visit schools now I increasingly see state of the art classrooms where youngsters are surrounded by modern technologies where they can be inspired to learn.”
Helping you to keep warm in winter Peterborough City Council has joined forces with green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), The Salvation Army and Age UK to launch a project to stop winter-related deaths. Statistics show that around 86 people in Peterborough die every year because of the effects of cold weather. The Winter Warmth Partnership project aims to stop these preventable deaths from happening by ensuring older people receive the support and benefits they are entitled to, as well as offering practical advice on reducing the cost of energy bills. People aged 75 and over (from the Peterborough area) can call (01733) 882 544 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) and speak to a trained advisor for advice on how to prevent fuel poverty. As part of the initial phone call a home visit will be scheduled where residents can receive one-to-one advice in the comfort of their own homes. 7
In 2011 Enterprise and Peterborough City Council entered into a 23 year service partnership to deliver a range of essential environmental and other community services to the city.
Did you know Enterprise Peterborough has?
Increase recycling and support a local charity
• C urrently recycled 42% of the waste in Peterborough and is aiming to achieving 65% recycling by 2020.
You can now book for your unwanted textiles and small electrical items to be collected from your home – FREE of charge.
Please remember to place in your green recycling bin:-
Place your donations in a clear bag with textiles in one bag and the rest in another bag. Leave the bags outside on the doorstep of your house or block of flats on the agreed date by 6.45am and we will do the rest!
• C ut back ¾ million square metres of shrubs and hedges over the past year. • Managed the extensions of the following schools; Paston Ridings Primary School, Beeches Primary School and Discovery Primary School, helping to meet the city’s requirements for additional primary school places. • Provided schools catering to approximately 25 schools, around 17,000 meals per week. • 229 properties across the city which they maintain. • Won two ‘Loo of the Year’ awards for the Northminster and Car Haven toilets. • Managed 25 allotment sites all over the city comprising of 1400 plots. For further information please visit www.peterborough.gov.uk 8
To arrange a collection:
Call Peterborough City Council Customer Services on (01733) 747474
Visit Customer Services at Bayard Place
Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk
Working in Partnership with
All donations will go to Sense, a local charity who makes local collections to support the community.
Do it online www.peterborough.gov.uk
Council Tax Summary 2012/13
I am proud of Peterborough I am proud of the way the city is developing, the number of jobs being created, the opportunities we’re creating for our children and how the residents of this city want to get involved in shaping the future. There was no better example than when we launched our budget proposals.
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My cabinet colleagues and I consulted with residents, businesses, city council staff and interested parties and I would like to thank everyone for taking the trouble to tell us their views. We listened to what was said and made some changes to our plans as a result of your feedback. We recognised this was always going to be a sensitive issue, but sometimes, as a council, we have to think the unthinkable, make clear our proposals and listen to the views we receive. These are challenging financial times – the most challenging for several decades. This is now the second year of the Government’s funding cuts – a 28 per cent reduction over four years. In the next financial year alone, we have seen our overall grant from the Government reduced by £5.6 million to £74 million. Part of the grant is based on the Government’s view of Peterborough’s population and we are working hard to convince them the numbers of people who have come to live here in recent years have increased dramatically and hence we need increased funding. As a consequence - while we have delivered tens of millions of pounds in efficiency savings in recent years – there remain severe pressures on our services and finances now and in future years. That is why we have put in place extra funding for Adult Social Care to help people who are living longer, sometimes with complex needs. At the same time we are also investing millions in our schools to cope with the increasing numbers of young people who deserve the finest start in life we can offer them. The final decision over this year’s council tax levels was not an easy one. In 2011/2012, we froze council tax and the Government offered us a four year grant to make up the shortfall.
But this year the Government’s offer is different because the grant is for one year only. If we took the offer we could lose around £8 million of funding over the next five years - and it could take council tax increases of at least 3.5 per cent in these years to make up the shortfall. Taking the grant reductions, the potential council tax shortfall and the pressures on our services into account, we have reluctantly decided to raise the city council’s part of the council tax by 2.95 per cent for 2012/2013. I stress again a council tax increase this year has not been an easy decision. In 2011/2012, we had the fifth lowest council tax - £114 per year lower than the average and £335 lower than the highest. Even with this modest rise, we will still have one of the lowest council tax rates in the country. The balancing act for my cabinet colleagues and I has been how to deal with the savings needed as well as investing in services to keep the city moving forward. I have already mentioned our commitment to adult social care and to schools. But we are also investing millions of pounds in affordable housing, our road networks, renewable energy measures, the on-going city regeneration works, and culture and leisure facilities. I believe all these measures will ensure we keep creating new jobs, attracting new investment, and open up new opportunities for the people of Peterborough. We are committed to looking after our older people and our children and grand-children, and together we will all retain our pride in the place we call home. Councillor Marco Cereste Leader of Peterborough City Council
How much is the council tax? We set the council tax by adding together the amounts we, Cambridgeshire Police Authority, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority and your parish council (if you have one) need. We collect the total tax on behalf of the other organisations. We set the charge for Band D properties and then set the charges for properties in other bands in proportion to this, as set by an Act of Parliament. Peterborough City Council
Percentage increase
Peterborough City Council Cambridgeshire Police Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority Total
2.95% 2.92% 2.49% 2.93%
Council tax Band D
£1,128.03 £174.51 £59.31 £1,361.85
Plus the parish council charge (precept), if you have one - see below: Precepts 2011/12 £
Precepts 2012/13 £
3,625 3,538 5,719 606 87,140 8,355 1,849 43,222 8,727 46,973 8,653 57 1,250 10,055
3,746 3,538 5,544 91,733 10,444 1,744 48,399 9,560 49,703 5,211 360 2,070 11,758
9,463 20,289 40,000 4,450 499 -
11,186 23,600 37,196 5,034 479 -
2,417 34,200 4,738 3,977 8,900 38,702 -
2,764 34,200 4,715 3,977 8,900 41,840 -
Parish
Ailsworth Bainton Barnack Borough Fen * Bretton Castor Deeping Gate Etton Eye Glinton Hampton Helpston Marholm Maxey Newborough * Newborough and Borough Fen Northborough Orton Longueville Orton Waterville Peakirk Southorpe St Martins Without Sutton Thorney Thornhaugh Ufford Upton Wansford Wittering Wothorpe
Band D Parish charge £
15.75 21.15 12.15 25.74 28.08 32.76 32.04 15.03 14.04 13.68 4.68 6.75
Band D Total Charge £
19.98
1,377.60 1,383.00 1,374.00 0.00 1,387.59 1,389.93 1,361.85 1,394.61 1,393.89 1,376.88 1,375.89 1,375.53 1,366.53 1,368.60 0.00 1,381.83
22.14 6.84 10.53 28.62 6.57 -
1,383.99 1,368.69 1,372.38 1,390.47 1,368.42 1,361.85
40.05 35.37 51.12 32.40 37.35 55.08 -
1,401.90 1,397.22 1,412.97 1,394.25 1,361.85 1,399.20 1,416.93 1,361.85
* Newborough and Borough Fen merged effective from 1 April 2012.
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What will be provided for £266.1 million? 2011/12 Gross cost
2012/13
Income
Gross cost
Net cost
Income
Net cost
Chief Executives £8.1 million Children’s Services £153.7 million
9,925
1,175
8,750
9,421
1,337
8,084
184,417
23,188
161,229
176,743
23,015
153,728
Operations £19.6 million
34,274
13,991
20,283
34,228
14,641
19,587
Strategic Resources £39.6 million
141,521
98,705
42,816
139,916
100,352
39,564
Adult Social Care £46.9 million
39,850
-
39,850
46,859
-
46,859
Contributions from reserves/balances
-
-
-
-
2,700
-2,700
Peterborough City Council budget requirement
409,987
137,059
272,928
407,167
142,045
265,122
Parish precepts
397
-
397
417
-
417
Levying bodies
564
-
564
567
-
567
Total
410,948
137,059
273,889
408,151
142,045
266,106
Statement of aggregate liabilities The total amount of external investment and borrowing Actual-April 2011 £000’s
Estimate-March 2012 £000’s
Loans outstanding Less temporary investments
134,506 19,176
135,826 -
Net external liabilities
115,330
135,826
Temporary investments have reduced as the city council is utilising these first before externally borrowing
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Cost per person 2012/13 Total budget Less Formula Grant (including National Non-domestic Rates) Less schools grants Council tax requirement
£000’s
£ per person
266,106
1,534.64
74,083
427.24
127,702
736.46
64,321
370.94
Comparison with last year £000’s 2011/12 Peterborough City Council Budget Changes to schools funding 2011/12 2011/12 Peterborough City Council Budget - restated Inflation Changes to schools funding 2012/13 estimate
% Change
280,697 -6,808 273,889 1,074
0.4%
-5,782
Service pressure and commitments: Adult Social Care Chief Executives
11,033 193
Children's Services
2,733
Operations
1,188
Strategic Resources
1,437
Corporate including financing
1,609
Total pressure and commitments Subtotal
18,193
6.6%
287,374
Less: Previous Medium Term Financial Plan
6,900
Savings
14,368
Subtotal
21,268
7.8%
266,106
-2.8%
2012/13 Peterborough City Council Budget
Please note: Corporate refers to the costs of financing the capital programme and budget held centrally for allocation to departments during the year. Changes to schools funding refers to the final confirmations received during June and adjustments made to academy funding.
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This budget Sources of funding A breakdown of where the funding has come from is shown on Chart 1 (opposite). The city council’s main source of non-school funding is the Formula Grant. This is paid by central government to local authorities based on the services they provide. The 2012/13 Formula Grant for Peterborough is £74.1 million, which represents a 7.2% decrease (on a like for like basis) over last year’s figure of £79.7 million. The final local government finance settlement was announced on 31 January 2012 for 2012/13 being the second year of the Spending Review 2010. The settlement for the city council remains unchanged and the Government has made no changes in response to the city council’s submission outlining our concerns regarding the clawback mechanism. There has been no confirmation of the financial years 2013/14 and 2014/15 also covered within the Spending Review 2010 other than there remains financial uncertainty of local government funding arrangements from 2013/14 onwards.
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The Government continues to claw back funding from Peterborough to redistribute among other councils. The amount to be held back in 2012/13 is £2.5 million Peterborough currently has one of the lowest council tax levels in the country. The council tax increase of 2.95% strikes the right balance between investing in our city, delivering efficiencies and keeping council tax as low as possible. The council tax increase is not deemed excessive and does not require a local referendum.
Analysis of spend
The number of staff we employ
An analysis of how the revenue budget will be spent is shown on Chart 2 (below).
The city council has budgeted to employ 3,924 people in 2012/13 which includes people employed by schools.
The city council will continue with its programme of capital investment in the development and enhancement of the city by way of £244.8 million planned expenditure, mainly on schools, highways and housing.
Chart 1 - Where does the £266.1 million come from? £64.3 million council tax (including Parish Precepts) £74.1 million Formula Grant (including National Non-domestic rate pool share) £127.7 million schools funding
Chart 2 - What will be provided for £266.1 million? £8.1 million Chief Executives £153.7 million Children's Services £19.6 million Operations £36.9 million Strategic Resources £46.9 million Adult Social Care £0.6 million Levying Bodies £0.4 million Precepts
Please note: Strategic Resources includes corporately held funds to be allocated across departments.
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Council tax discounts If only one adult lives in a property as their home, we reduce the bill by a quarter. We do not count some groups of people when adding up how many adults live in a property. These people include students, apprentices, some student nurses, certain care workers and carers, youth trainees and people who are severely mentally impaired. You have to claim the discount, it is not automatic. So, if you think you should receive a discount which is not shown on your bill, please contact us.
If you receive a discount, you must tell us 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 ÂŁ70 fine.
If you move If you move home, please let us know. Give your old address, your new address, the date you are moving and the name of the new person living at your old address. If you sell your home, please tell us the new owner’s name. 16
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. 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 The person who is highest up this list 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. Husbands and wives and couples living together are also 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
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Benefits Council tax benefit is paid by a reduction to your council tax bill and is available to those on low incomes. If you are having difficulty paying your council tax there is a good chance you will be entitled to some help.
The amount of council tax benefit may be reduced if there are other adults living in your home.
Many people may not have to pay any council tax, for example those receiving Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income based), Employment Support Allowance (income related) or Pension Credit (guaranteed). If you receive one of these incomes please contact us as soon as possible.
• Even if you qualify for only £1 per week this will reduce your bill by £52 that year
Further information is available online at www.peterborough.gov.uk/ housingbenefit including an online calculator which allows you to enter all your details to see if you qualify for housing benefit and/or council tax benefit. Alternatively, please telephone (01733) 452241, fax (01733) 452579, or visit our Customer Service Centre, Bayard Place, Broadway. 18
• You may qualify if you are working or unemployed • Both tenants and owner occupiers can apply • People of state pension age or who are disabled can get extra help • If you pay for childcare, up to £175 a week for one child, or £300 for two or more children, this can be disregarded from your earnings. If you are unsure about whether you can get help, please contact the benefits office and ask us to check for you. The quicker you ask, the less you may have to pay.
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 are severely mentally impaired • That are owned or leased by a diplomat or a member of visiting armed forces • That are empty, including the following: - substantially unfurnished (exempt for up to six months) - are owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months) - need or are undergoing structural alteration or major repair (exempt up to one year) - 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 properties, unoccupied furnished properties and second homes A property which is both substantially unfurnished and unoccupied is exempt from council tax for up to six months. However, if the property remains the same after six months, we will charge council tax at the full rate.
- empty caravan pitches or boat moorings
Property which is unoccupied but furnished, along with properties used as second or holiday homes, will receive a discount of 10 per cent of the full council tax charge.
For more information visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/counciltax
These charges are intended to help make more accommodation available in the city and to reflect the fact that services still need to be provided in respect of people who use second or holiday homes.
Alternatively please telephone (01733) 452258, fax (01733) 452579, or visit our Customer Service Centre, Bayard Place, Broadway.
These charging rules may not apply if the property is tied to your job. Please contact the council tax office for more information.
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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 below. Valuation band
Values
Proportion of band D payable
Valuation band
Proportion of band D payable
A
Up to £40,000
6/9ths
E
£88,001 to £120,000
11/9ths
B
£40,001 to £52,000
7/9ths
F
£120,001 to £160,000
13/9ths
C
£52,001 to £68,000
8/9ths
G
£160,001 to £320,000
15/9ths
D
£68,001 to £88,000
9/9ths
H
More than £320,000
18/9ths
Your bill shows which band your home is in.
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Values
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.
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, not us. The address is:
Council tax liability appeals You can appeal if you think your bill is not correct – 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 by 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 council tax. 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 contact us.
The Listing Officer Council Tax East, Valuation Office Agency Ground Floor, Ferrers House Castle Meadow Road Nottingham NG2 1AB Fax: 03000 500975 Email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk National helpline: 0845 602 1507
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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is responsible for providing an efficient and effective fire and rescue service. It does this through: • Agreeing a dynamic annual plan, incorporating proposals in the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), which is matched with an annual budget • Monitoring and reviewing performance and spending against its plans • Balancing resources across all areas of Prevention, Protection and Response
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Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to be one of the lowest financing fire and rescue services in the country, yet continually strives to improve the service it provides to the public.
“The Government set aside a specific grant for 2011/12 that can be used by fire authorities, to offset council tax increases of up to 2.5 per cent.”
Background On the back of the global economic crisis, local government as a whole finds itself with an unprecedented set of financial challenges that it must resolve over the remainder of the current comprehensive spending review period. The Government grant to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority was reduced by 9.5% (£1.4m) for the financial year 2011/12. The reduction for the forthcoming financial year is 3.08% (£444,000). The service has assumed that the remainder of the reductions in grant funding, to the published figure of 25%, will be spread evenly over the remaining two financial years (2014 and 2015). As part of the settlement, the Government set aside a specific grant for 2011/12 that can be used by fire authorities, to offset council tax increases of up to 2.5 per cent. This grant was also available in 2012/13; however the fire authority sought the views of the public before making a decision not to accept the grant. This is because in 2014/15 the grant will disappear presenting the fire authority with the challenge of finding an additional £400,000 from either within its reduced budget or by raising council tax significantly within a one year period.
What does this mean? The budget has been prepared for the medium term (the next four or five years) after making a number of assumptions, which are: • From 2012/13, an increase in council tax of 2.5% will be applied • A pay award will be received in 2012/13 of 1% • Non pay inflation will track government inflation projections with the exception of fuel, this has been reflected separately at 22% An additional £444,000 has been taken from the grant in 2012/13, over that received in 2011/12. The Combined Fire Control savings of £457,000 and additional support budget reductions of £220,000 have been applied to the budget. These savings, along with an increase to council tax of 2.5% ensure inflationary increases can be met. The significant challenges for this authority occur in years 3 and 4 (2014 and 2015). Estimates still suggest that we will need to find £900,000 in year 3 and £1.580m in year 4. The Service Redesign Programme remains on track to deliver these savings.
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Budget The fire authority has approved a budget of £29.81 million for 2012/13. This means a Band D council tax of £59.31. This equates to £1.14 a week.
What the money is spent on 2011/12 £m Employees
2012/13 £m
22.330
22.642
Premises
1.221
1.321
Supplies and Services
4.716
4.575
Transport
0.555
0.652
Agency Costs
0.090
0.091
Capital Financing
1.549
2.042
30.461
31.323
0.984
1.513
29.477
29.810
Gross Expenditure Income Net Expenditure
Where the money comes from 2011/12
2012/13
10.389
12.779
3.082
0.248
-
0.200
Council Tax Requirement
16.006
16.583
Total
29.477
29.810
Financed by: Business Rates Non-ringfenced Government Grants Use of Reserves
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Capital spending
Information
The fire authority’s capital programme includes:
You can see copies of the fire authority’s priorities for 2012/13 and Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) on its website www.cambsfire.gov.uk.
• The purchase of fire appliances and other operational vehicles • Property maintenance and improvements • Operational equipment • Information technology and communications equipment
Reserves The fire authority will have estimated general reserves of £2.079 million (7% of net budget) at the end of 2011/12, to fund excessive operational costs that might arise from extreme weather conditions, to mitigate against business continuity events (e.g. pandemic flu).
You will also find information on the website about the future cuts as plans proceed during 2012/13.
Contacts If you need more information about the fire authority, please contact: Director of Resources Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Headquarters Hinchingbrooke Cottage Brampton Road Huntingdon PE29 2NA Telephone: 01480 444619 Email: budget@cambsfire.gov.uk Website: www.cambsfire.gov.uk 25
Local area changes focus on front line policing From April 2012 Cambridgeshire Constabulary is launching a new structure for the delivery of local policing. Police officers and commanders will work in teams aligned to the district authority areas for Cambridge City, Huntingdonshire, South Cambs, East Cambs and Fenland and with Peterborough Unitary Authority. Police officers and staff will continue to work in partnership with local councils and other agencies to tackle community problems, to bring offenders to justice and keep people safe. Changes will be introduced to streamline local policing services and reduce bureaucracy so that police resources can focus on front line policing.
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Officers and staff will continue to respond to emergency and non emergency calls, investigate crime and take partnership and problem solving action to keep communities safe.
Meet your new commander Senior police officers have taken up new roles in Peterborough as part of a restructure of the force. Superintendent Dan Vajzovic will oversee policing as commander while inspectors have been given responsibility for the city’s three sectors. The changes and new appointments are part of the operation to redesign the whole structure of the force and ensure costs are reduced while the level of service the public receives is maintained. Inspector Andy Bartlett has taken over southern sector, covering Stanground, Hampton and the Ortons, from Inspector Matt Snow, while Inspector Rob Hill has taken on northern sector, covering Bretton, Werrington and the villages, from Inspector Louise Angel.
Your chance to influence local policing On 15 November 2012 you have a chance to vote for who holds your local police to account. The date heralds an important change in the way your local police are held to account. Locally elected Police & Crime Commissioners (P&CC) will replace existing police authorities and they will be elected by you, the public. P&CCs will have five key roles, including: • Sustaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the police force • Holding the Chief Constable to account for force performance
Meanwhile, Inspector Dominic Glazebrook remains as eastern sector inspector, covering the city centre, Dogsthorpe, Millfield and the east of the city. A new Community Intervention Team has been formed, headed by Inspector Iain Clark, that will cover a range of areas including community cohesion, licensing, events, anti social behaviour and safer schools. Supt Vajzovic said: “The inspectors and their teams will be dedicated to dealing with local issues, through response policing, local investigations, neighbourhood priorities and local problem solving. Crime is down significantly in Peterborough and these changes will allow us to maintain relentless pressure on criminals whilst making the savings we need in non-frontline services.”
• Ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in the police area • Hiring, and if necessary dismissing, the Chief Constable The most significant change will be that the P&CC will be democratically elected by the people they serve and they will have a wider responsibility for delivering community safety than under current arrangements. The P&CC will be held to account for their performance by a Police and Crime Panel made up of local councillors and lay members. To find out more visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ police/police-crime-commissioners/
• Working with partners including local authorities, health services and the criminal justice system to tackle crime and disorder and set the police and crime objectives for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough • Being responsible for the police force budget and setting the precept (the policing element of council tax)
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Cambridgeshire Police Authority
Budget
Cambridgeshire Police Authority is responsible for ensuring the local police service is effective and efficient. It sets the constabulary’s budget and publishes an annual plan for policing the county - this includes priorities and targets for the constabulary. During the year the authority monitors police performance against the targets. Information about the police authority can be found on our website www.cambs-pa.gov.uk.
The police authority budget is financed from locally-raised council tax and from central government grants. Cambridgeshire Police Authority will receive £5.6 million less cash from central government in 2012/13. The authority has been planning for significant cuts in grant support since the summer of 2010. The costs of policing the county will increase by £2.7 million next year and in order to balance the budget the chief constable has had to identify savings of £6.6 million. Some of these savings cannot be realised until 2013/14 and are therefore covered by a use of reserves in 2012/13.
Our priorities The authority’s annual policing plan for 201215 sets out how we contribute to the national policing priorities contained in the Home Office’s four-year business plan for 2011-15. Policing priorities for Cambridgeshire are to: • Maintain and improve local police performance • Deliver policing in Cambridgeshire within the available budget • Reduce crime and disorder • Keep people safe • Deliver specialist police functions (called protective services)
The Band D council tax for 2012/13 will be £174.51, which is £3.36 per week. Looking to the future the constabulary is collaborating with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Constabularies on a range of support and operational policing services. This, along with an emphasis on ensuring value for money, will help the constabulary meet future funding challenges.
Local consultation Since December the authority has engaged with the public via a ‘hot topic area’ on our website (www.cambs-pa.gov.uk) and at Neighbourhood Panel meetings across the county and in Peterborough during January and February. It is clear that many people understand the funding dilemma and would prefer a council tax increase rather than a council tax freeze in 2012/13 and further service reductions (over and above those already required) in 2013/14.
Capital programme The police authority has approved a capital programme for 2012/13 of £6.9 million which includes: • Maintaining and improving buildings • Vehicle replacement • Communication and information management systems
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What the money is spent on
2012/13
2011/12
£m
%
£m
%
Employees
92.0
68
95.4
69
Police Officer Pensions
14.6
11
15.2
11
Premises
4.6
3
4.3
3
Transport
2.5
2
2.3
1
18.4
14
17.7
13
2.9
2
2.3
2
Supplies and Services Capital Financing Transfer to Reserves
-
-
0.1
0
Change Management Contingency
-
-
0.9
1
135.0
100
138.2
100
Gross Expenditure
Where the money comes from
2012/13 £m
2011/12 %
£m
%
Council Tax
48.6
36
47.0
34
Redistributed Business Rates
28.5
21
22.7
16
Police Grant
50.0
37
53.7
39
Other Non-Ring Fenced Grants
0.5
-
8.2
6
Other Ring Fenced Grants
3.9
3
4.5
3
Other Income
2.1
2
2.1
2
Reserves
1.4
1
-
-
135.0
100
138.2
100
Total Income
Workforce The police authority has budgeted for 1,370 police officers, 195 police community support officers and 837 police staff. Volunteer special constables continue to provide valuable support with 275 in post and a drive to recruit many more.
Reserves The police authority will have estimated general reserves of £9.3 million (7.3 per cent of net budget) at the end of 2011/12 reducing to £7.4 million by March 2014. The authority also maintains earmarked reserves for potential risks, new initiatives and to deal with insurance claims. These are expected to be £11.4 million at the end of 2011/12.
Contacts If you need to contact the police authority, please write to: The Chief Executive Cambridgeshire Police Authority Constabulary Headquarters Hinchingbrooke Park Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6NP Telephone: 0300 333 3456 Email: police.authority @cambs.pnn.police.uk Website: www.cambs-pa.gov.uk 29
City is safer thanks to partnership working Crime is falling in Peterborough and the SaferPeterborough Partnership is working hard to ensure the trend continues. Gary Goose, the partnership’s Safer and Stronger Strategy Manager, explains how the preventative agenda fuels this success.
My job is to continue to improve the quality of life of everyone who lives and works in our city and for people who visit Peterborough. I am convinced the best way to reduce crime, tackle anti-social behaviour and strengthen our neighbourhoods now and for the future is to address root causes of the behaviour of a minority of people who affect us all. This preventative approach will help us to understand: • Why people commit crime and act in an anti-social manner • Why people are taking drugs • W hy they think it is fine to cause damage or to drop litter • W hy they drink to the point of making them act foolishly • W hy they drive in irresponsible and dangerous ways I want to be clear this is not a soft option. Those who break the law and spurn offers of genuine help will be relentlessly pursued. This approach is working - fewer crimes are being committed. Five years ago approximately 1,400 offences a month were being reported and now the average number of crimes is 800. Our aim is to continue to drive this figure down. Occasionally we will get things wrong and we will not be able to resolve every single issue. What I promise is we will do our best and we will work our hardest to make our city even safer. We cannot do it alone and long-term change is generated from within our communities. This is why we support a range of initiatives that bolster our work including Neighbourhood Watch, Peterborough Neighbourhood Champions, Crimestoppers and Street Pastors. You can find out more about these groups and other organisations that support the partnership by visiting www.saferpeterborough.org.uk or calling (01733) 747474 and asking for the SaferPeterborough team. 30
Influence our work We want to know what you have to say about the partnership’s priorities and how we deliver them. There are a number of ways you can talk to us:
Have Your Say
Visit www.saferpeterborough.org.uk and click the ‘Have Your Say’ button on every page.
‘Face The People’ consultation Every summer we take part in the Peterborough Festival at Central Park. Here you can talk to us about your crime and community safety concerns.
Neighbourhood panel meetings Here you can have your say on policing where you live and issues that need tackling in your community. Police officers are joined by representatives from the partnership and three priorities are chosen for the neighbourhood policing team to tackle over three months. For details of your next panel meeting, call 101 or visit www.cambs.police.uk and click on ‘My neighbourhood.’
Transforming quality of life Operation CAN-do is a multi-agency 10 year programme created to improve the quality of life and outcomes of people living and working in the Gladstone, Millfield and New England communities of Peterborough. Partners and communities are committed to transforming this area, which will celebrate its uniqueness and convert it to being a place of positive vibrancy.
Neighbourhood committees Neighbourhood committees are made up of elected city council members along with representatives from parish councils, local community groups and partner organisations. The meetings enable you to have a say on how services are delivered in your area. Each committee has a community action plan that includes identified priorities and actions to address your needs. For details of the next neighbourhood committee in your area, call: (01733) 747474 and ask for the neighbourhood management team or email neighbourhoods@peterborough.gov.uk
There are numerous areas of concern that are already being tackled but there is still a long way to go to address fundamental priorities in the area including: • High levels of deprivation • Dense population • Three primary schools with 22 languages spoken • Only 382m² of green space • High numbers of children living in poverty • Households classed as being in fuel poverty • High levels of domestic abuse incidents • Higher numbers of rubbish accumulations • Low life expectancy for females (77 years) For more information about Operation CAN-do or to get involved, call: (01733) 747474 and ask for the neighbourhood management team or email neighbourhoods@peterborough.gov.uk 31
Get in touch 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, or alternatively send an email to: ask@ peterborough.gov.uk You can also telephone (01733) 747474 to speak to Peterborough Direct our call centre.
Do it online Sign up for self service and receive access to information about your benefits, council tax or business rates. You will be provided with a secure login to ensure that the confidentiality of information is not breached.
Do it online www.peterborough.gov.uk
Benefit Claimant’s Self Service Once signed up for self service you will be able to view the following information about your claim: • • • • •
Benefit payments Calculations Household members Income used in assessment Overpayments/invoices
Benefit Landlord’s Self Service Once signed up for self service you will be able to view the following about your tenants’ claims if being paid direct: • • • •
Summary of claim details Payment details Overpayments/invoices View correspondence
Council Tax Self Service Once signed up for self service you will be able to view the following information about your council tax account: • • • • •
Payment details Account and property details Correspondence sent E-billing sign up Set up a Direct Debit
Business Rates Self Service To find out more information or to sign up for any of the self service options visit: www.peterborough.gov.uk/doitonline
Once signed up for self service you will be able to view the following information about your business rates account: • Account details • Bill details • Non-domestic rates rateable values
If you would like more information about the issues featured in this document, telephone (01733) 747474. It is a government requirement that we produce this leaflet providing information about council tax to our residents. Visit our website www.peterborough.gov.uk 32
Local Sustainable Transport Fund - improving transport for everyone who lives, works or travels in Peterborough… Peterborough City Council will continue to invest in providing a transport system that offers real choice for people to travel sustainably - whether that is by public transport, walking, cycling or using car travel more efficiently. In July 2011, in recognition of our success and continued commitment, the Department for Transport awarded the city council a £5 million grant over four years from its Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
Did you know as? Travelchoice h • R educed the amount of car journeys in our city • Increased all sustainable modes of travel since it launched in 2004
Over the next four years Travelchoice will focus on a broad range of projects and schemes such as: • Improvements to public transport interchange points; including the railway and bus stations • Infrastructure improvements to the walking and cycling networks • Developing travel information, such as interactive mapping and wayfinding • Improving health through active travel initiatives with NHS Peterborough Primary Care Trust • Engaging with schools and business to promote sustainable travel through; travel challenges, grant schemes and outreach programmes
Travelchoice plans to enable people to easily and enjoyably travel by foot, bike, public transport or car sharing for more of the journeys they make every day To keep up to date with all of the schemes and for all other sustainable travel news and information, including cycle routes, bus times or finding a car share partner,
visit: www.travelchoice.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @pcctravelchoice.
Peterborough Families Information Service 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
0800 29 89 121
www.familiesandchildcare.org.uk familiesandchildcare@young-lives.org.uk All three and four year old children can get 15 hours of free childcare a week. Contact us for information and to find a local childminder, nursery or pre-school of your choice. We can also provide help and advice about activities for children from birth to 19 and paying for additional childcare.
2012 What a year for Peterborough 2 to 10 June
Peterborough Green Festival Peterborough Environment City Trust will mark the start of the festival with a huge launch event in the city centre. The entire festival period will be filled with fun days out, talks and walks taking place throughout the city. For full listings visit www.pect.org.uk 16 June
Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival 31 March to 1 April
Grand re-opening of Peterborough Museum
Come and watch this Chinese tradition as it takes place on the River Nene in Peterborough city centre. Enter a team www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/ peterborough 23 to 24 June
25 to 27 May
Peterborough Heritage Festival
The Willow Festival
A living history extravaganza with battle displays taking place in the Cathedral Precincts and Peterborough city centre.
The city’s biggest music festival returns for the first time since 2003. This free festival showcases the best unsigned music in the UK with over 120 bands on the bill. Held on Peterborough’s Embankment. www.willowfestival.org.uk
www.vivacity-peterborough.com 30 June to 8 July
Peterborough Arts Festival Celebrating theatre, music, dance and a whole range of arts with events taking place throughout the city. The grand festival finale takes place at Central Park on the final weekend. For full listings visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com
29 May
Halford’s Tour Series The street cycle race returns to Peterborough city centre. www.tourseries.co.uk 36
14 October
The Perkins Great Eastern Run One of the UK’s top ten half-marathons takes place through the streets of Peterborough The event has been selected as one of only five runbritain UK Grand Prix and Championship races in 2012. Thousands of others will be running for charity or taking part in the fun run. 3 to 4 July
For information or to enter www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk
Olympic Torch Relay Peterborough welcomes the Olympic Torch to the city with an Evening Celebration on 3 July on the city’s Embankment. Entertainment will also take place along the route. www.peterborough.gov.uk
21 to 25 August
27 October
Peterborough Beer Festival
Halloween Horror Night at Flag Fen
The biggest beer festival outside of London with over 350 real ales, 80 ciders and perries and dozens of different wines on offer. Plenty of soft drinks, traditional pub games and live entertainment make this one of the city’s most popular events. Takes place on Peterborough’s Embankment.
A night of terror with eerie ghost stories and costumed characters, not for the faint hearted!
www.peterborough-camra.org.uk
15 to 16 September
Peterborough Italian Festival 2012 will see the festival expand into a weekend event. Peterborough has a large Italian community and entertainment includes traditional flag dancing, singing and lots of Italian food. www.peterborough.gov.uk
www.vivacity-peterborough.com
17 November
Peterborough Christmas Lights Switch On Come out to Cathedral Square to watch the entertainment before the city centre is lit up for Christmas. With live music and bursts of fireworks to mark the occasion. www.visitpeterborough.com or 01733 452336
31 December
New Year’s Eve Party in Cathedral Square Bring the family and celebrate the New Year with the rest of Peterborough in Cathedral Square. With fireworks, live music and entertainment join in with the countdown to 2013. www.visitpeterborough.com or 01733 452336 37
Peterborough Perkins Great Eastern Run Sunday 14 October 2012 Half Marathon 10:30am • Fun Run 10am
UK Road Race Championship 2012 event Part of the runbritain 2012 Grand Prix Series
www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk
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pantone 2603
69/100/0/2
pantone 226
0/99/0/0
One of the UK’s top half marathons Runners now have even more reasons to enter this year’s Perkins Great Eastern Run, for the first time the race will be part of the successful runbritain Grand Prix Series. As well as the usual prize money on offer to the first three men and women past the finish line, there will also be cash prizes for the first five UK men and UK women as part of the Grand Prix series. The five-race series, which will conclude with the Perkins Great Eastern Run half marathon, offers a total prize fund of £55,000 for British runners based on their four best scores across the five events. So enter now, there’s no better time to sign up and start training. Remember there’s a fun run and junior race as well as the main half marathon. You can enter by post, online at www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk
or in person at the Visitor Destination Centre on Bridge Street, Peterborough. If you want to know if your road will be affected by the race road closures visit the race website to check the course race map. Principle Sponsor
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