Your Council Tax supports Mid Sussex to thrive
Mid Sussex District Council is dedicated to ensuring Mid Sussex thrives and the most vulnerable in our community are supported to have the best life chances.
With more than 155,000 residents living across the 129sq miles of our rural district, and almost 8,000 businesses, our role is:
‘To be an effective Council delivering value for money services and helping to create a strong economy, environment and community’
Here is a taste of the impact we had across our community in 2024/25.
£1m
Provided more than £1m of disabled facilities grants to support people to live independently in their own homes
75 Moved 75 households into social housing from temporary accommodation
477
People approached us for assistance with homelessness
1,480
Helped 1,480 people access funding support
£100k
Provided more than £100k to our most vulnerable residents to help them to buy food and white goods through the Household Support Fund
92%
Supported 92% of food businesses to achieve a 4 or 5 star hygiene rating — providing assurance to residents that the food they are buying is safely prepared
£101,885
Awarded £101,885 to support more than 30 community bodies to tackle inequalities, improve sustainability and reduce poverty through community grants
155,000 residents
200
Supported 200 people to live happier, healthier lives through our Mid Sussex Wellbeing service
8,000
Provided fun and safe activities to nearly 8,000 young people through our Play Days, Skate Fest and Urban Events
130
Helped residents to recycle more than 130 tonnes of food waste
129 sq miles of our rural district
~8,000 businesses
Where your Council Tax goes
We receive very little funding from central government and most of our services are funded through income we can raise locally. We are mainly funded through your Council Tax, business rates and charging for some services like parking and garden waste.
Like all councils we continue to deliver against a tough financial backdrop as our costs continue to rise and demand for services increases.
With strong financial management and some tough choices, we have managed to balance our budget for 2025/26.
Your Council Tax funds a range of public services. On average only 8% of your Council Tax funds services provided by Mid Sussex District Council. The rest is spent by other organisations to provide their services.
This is what this means to you. As an average household (Band D) property:
Parish/Town Councils
£92.61
Mid Sussex District Council
£196.43
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
£266.91
£1,800.54
West Sussex County Council
£2,096k
£1,840k
This year we will be investing £12m in improving facilities and outcomes for our communities. Projects include: What you can expect in 2025/26
£1.7m in renewing our parks
Launching our flagship £9m world-class outdoor sporting facility — The Arc
Rolling out our simpler recycling to all 71,000 properties in Mid Sussex
Relaunching our community grants approach focussing on projects that have a positive impact in addressing inequality, poverty and sustainability
£150k in trialling new technology to make it easier to use our car parks
Your Council Tax explained
Your property is placed in one of eight valuation bands to enable the Council to calculate your Council Tax bill and is based on the value of your property as of 1st April 1991. The valuation is determined by the Valuation Office Agency — part of HM Revenue & Customs.
to £120,000
to £160,000
£160,001 to £320,000
£320,001 and above
£12m
Capital Programme on schemes to improve facilities and outcomes
Mid Sussex Council Tax 2025/26.
Who needs to pay
Council Tax is usually paid if one or more adults live in your property, unless they are exempt (see below). The order of responsibility is:
1. Owner of the property
2. Leaseholder
3. Statutory/secure tenant
4. Licensee
5. Resident
Joint liability: Married couples, civil partners, or joint owners/tenants are both responsible for paying.
Owner liability: If no one lives in the property, the owner is responsible. The owner is also liable for certain properties, such as:
• Class A: Care homes, nursing homes, and some hostels
• Class B: Properties for religious communities (e.g., monasteries, convents)
• Class C: Properties shared by multiple households with shared facilities
• Class D: Properties not the owner’s main home, but used by someone employed in domestic service
• Class E: Properties lived in by ministers of religion.
Discounts
The full Council Tax bill assumes there are two adults in a home. If there is:
• One adult: The bill is reduced by 25%.
• No one’s main home, furnished, and job-related: The bill is reduced by 50%.
Some people are ignored (“disregarded”) when counting adults living in the property. A full list of disregarded people can be found at: www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/discounts.
If you believe you are entitled to a discount, but haven’t received one, contact us. Discounts will be shown on your bill based on our current records.
Exemptions
Some properties are exempt from Council Tax, including those occupied only by students, under 18-year-olds, the severely mentally impaired, or annexes occupied by elderly/disabled relatives. A full list is available on our website: www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/exemptions
Empty Homes Premium
To encourage the use of properties and discourage vacancies, premiums may be applied. Details can be found at www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/unoccupiedproperties
Reductions for disabled people
Your Council Tax bill can be reduced if a disabled person lives in your property and the property has at least one of the following:
• An extra bathroom or kitchen that is essential for the disabled person’s needs
• A room that is mainly used by the disabled person and is essential for their needs and is not a bathroom, kitchen or toilet
• Extra space inside the property for the essential use of a wheelchair by a disabled person indoors.
Additional information and application forms can be found at https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/discounts
Council Tax appeals
If you believe we’ve made a mistake about your Council Tax liability, discount, exemption, or Council Tax support, you can appeal. To do so, submit your appeal in writing to the Council’s address on your bill.
Please continue to pay the instalments shown on your bill while we review your appeal. If you’re not satisfied with our decision, we’ll guide you on how to appeal to an independent tribunal.
Penalties
It’s important to inform us of any changes to your circumstances as soon as possible, so we can bill you correctly for Council Tax.
Under the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013, a £70 penalty may be imposed if you fail to notify the Council about a change in circumstances within 21 days, or if you don’t respond to a request for information within 21 days.
How to pay
Council Tax is normally paid over 10 months, 1st April 2025 to 1st January 2026. You can request to pay over 12 months. Contact revenue@midsussex.gov.uk for further information.
Payment can be made by:
Monthly Direct Debit — 86% of our residents chose to pay by direct debit as the simplest and most convenient way to pay. Apply online at www.midsussex.gov.uk/mdcselfservice or telephone us on 01444 477564
Online through our website www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/makeapayment
By phone by calling our 24-hour automated payment line on 0330 088 9360
Difficulty in paying?
Difficulty paying? Find out if you are eligible for Council Tax support or Exceptional Hardship at www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax/strugglingtopay or call 01444 477264.
86% of our residents chose to pay by direct debit
Did you know…
You can now receive your Council Tax Bill electronically. Register for E-Billing online: www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax or email: ebilling@midsussex.gov.uk
Find out more about Council Tax at: www.midsussex.gov.uk/counciltax and the impact we are having for our community by following us on:
midsussexdistrictcouncil
@MSDCNews
@midsussexdistrictcouncil
www.midsussex.gov.uk