Lichfield District Council - council tax leaflet 2014

2014/15

A guide to council tax across

Lichfield District

Lichfield District Council Good value local services We deliver a wide range of local services in your area for around ÂŁ2.92 a week*. We hope you think they are good value. In this booklet you will find out more information about how much you will pay, how we spend the money we get, council tax discounts, exemptions and important information about changes to legislation. *Based on an average Band D property

Value for money We spend 10% of the money you pay each month in your council tax bill. An average house* in the district will pay £151.97 this year towards district council services.

To make sure we can continue to deliver good local services, we have increased our part of the bill by 1.99% this year. This increase will mean an average local home* will pay around 25p more a month, or £2.96 extra a year, for the services we provide - from recycling, to parks, leisure centres and more.

Did you know?

Lichfield District Council only keeps 10% of the money you pay – we pass the rest to the county council, fire and police services and parish councils.

We are still a comparatively low charging district council and, based on a Band D property, on average we charge £18 less a year than other shire districts. *Based on an average Band D property

Facing the future It’s been another challenging financial year for us and we are continuing to face large cuts in government funding. Our savings programme has meant we are in a good position to meet the cuts, but without doubt we are going to have to change the way we deliver some of our services in the future.

To help us cut back and work out what services local people want us to continue to provide, with reduced funding, we will be asking residents to fill in a questionnaire this summer, as part of our fit for the future programme.

Where does my money go?

We only keep around 10p of every pound we receive in council tax. We distribute the rest to the county council, the fire and police services, and parish, town and city councils.

7 0p goes to Staffordshire County Council 3p goes to the average parish council 12p goes to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Staffordshire

The questionnaire will ask you to tell us what services you value, what you feel we could cut back on, and what services you want us to protect.

It will also ask your views on a range of ideas for raising money and cutting costs.

We’ll use the responses to help shape decisions about the services the we deliver in the future.

To be notified about the fit for the future questionnaire, please email fitforthefuture@lichfielddc.gov.uk or look out for information on

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/fitforthefuture or in our residents’ magazine intouch.

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10p goes to Lichfield District Council 5p goes to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

How much will I have to pay?

Use the table below to find out how much your council tax charge will be this year. The amount you pay depends on where you live (your parish area) and the value of your home (your valuation band). The figures do not include any discounts you may receive.

Your house is placed in one of eight council tax bands (A to H), using the valuation carried out by the District Valuer in 1991. The amount of council tax you pay will depend on the value of your property.

Band D (highlighted below) is used to calculate the council tax for each property and to compare ourselves to others. *The bands are worked out as a proportion of the Band D amount.

Band A (6/9)*

Band B (7/9)*

Band C (8/9)*

Band D (1)*

Band E (11/9)*

Band F (13/9)*

Band G (15/9)*

Band H (2)*

Alrewas

968.92

1130.41

1291.90

1453.39

1776.37

2099.34

2422.31

2906.78

Armitage with Handsacre

975.67

1138.28

1300.89

1463.51

1788.74

2113.96

2439.18

2927.02

Burntwood

968.25

1129.63

1291.00

1452.38

1775.13

2097.88

2420.63

2904.76

Clifton Campville with Thorpe Constantine

977.13

1140.00

1302.85

1465.71

1791.42

2117.14

2442.84

2931.42

Colton

977.79

1140.76

1303.72

1466.69

1792.92

2118.55

2444.48

2933.38

Curborough & Elmhurst and Farewell & Chorley

956.67

1116.13

1275.57

1435.02

1753.91

2072.81

2391.69

2870.04

Drayton Bassett

980.97

1144.48

1307.97

1471.47

1798.46

2125.46

2452.44

2942.94

Edingale

976.41

1139.15

1301.88

1464.62

1790.09

2115.56

2441.03

2929.24

Elford

975.87

1138.53

1301.17

1463.82

1789.11

2114.41

2439.69

2927.64

Fazeley

974.78

1137.25

1299.71

1462.18

1787.11

2112.04

2436.96

2924.36

Fradley & Streethay

979.08

1142.27

1305.44

1468.63

1794.99

2121.36

2447.71

2937.26

Hammerwich

959.29

1119.18

1279.06

1438.95

1758.72

2078.49

2398.24

2877.90

Hamstall Ridware

965.21

1126.09

1286.95

1447.83

1769.57

2091.31

2413.04

2895.66

Harlaston

969.57

1131.17

1292.76

1454.36

1777.55

2100.74

2423.93

2908.72

Hints & Canwell

976.65

1139.43

1302.20

1464.98

1790.53

2116.08

2441.63

2929.96

Kings Bromley

964.56

1125.33

1286.08

1446.85

1768.37

2089.90

2411.41

2893.70

Lichfield

984.81

1148.95

1313.08

1477.22

1805.49

2133.76

2462.03

2954.44

Longdon

965.00

1125.84

1286.67

1447.51

1769.18

2090.85

2412.51

2895.02

Mavesyn Ridware

972.79

1134.92

1297.05

1459.19

1783.46

2107.72

2431.98

2918.38

Shenstone

975.03

1137.54

1300.04

1462.55

1787.56

2112.57

2437.58

2925.10

Swinfen & Packington

969.95

1131.61

1293.27

1454.93

1778.25

2101.57

2424.88

2909.86

Wall

970.19

1131.89

1293.59

1455.29

1778.69

2102.09

2425.48

2910.58

Weeford

958.88

1118.70

1278.51

1438.33

1757.96

2077.59

2397.21

2876.66

Whittington & Fisherwick

975.49

1138.08

1300.66

1463.25

1788.42

2113.59

2438.74

2926.50

Wigginton & Hopwas

975.94

1138.60

1301.26

1463.92

1789.24

2114.55

2439.86

2927.84

Which ward?

If you're not sure of which ward you fall under, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/myarea and enter your postcode. It will tell you your ward and lots more useful information, such as your school catchment area and who is your district councillor.

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Frequently asked questions

Does council tax fund all our services?

What if I live alone - do I get a discount?

No. Council tax funds only 9% of the services we deliver. The rest is made up by income, government grants, interest on investments and revenue reserves.

Yes. If you are the only adult living in your home, you may be entitled to a 25% single person’s discount. Visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax to download a single person’s discount application form or call 01543 308900.

When do I have to pay my council tax?

You can pay by 10 or 12 monthly or 2 half yearly instalments on the 1st day of the month. If you pay

by Direct Debit you can ask for your payment to come out of your account on the 18th of every month instead by calling 01543 308900.

How do I pay for my council tax?

You can pay for your council tax by Direct Debit, online or over the phone. You will need your council tax number (found on your bill) and card details.

Direct Debit: Set up a Direct Debit by calling 01543 308900 or by filling in a form at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ctdirectdebit You will need your bank details ready, including your sort-code, account number and branch address.

Online: Pay online at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/epay By phone: Pay by phone using an automated system by calling 0845 2340 068 or by calling our team on 01543 308900.

Please note: There is a 2% surcharge if you pay with a credit card. This does not apply to debit card payments.

How is my council tax bill calculated?

Your council tax bill is based on your property’s council tax band (see page 2). It assumes there are two adults living in your home (as their main home).

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Could I be exempt from council tax?

Yes. You may be eligible for a discount or may be exempt from paying council tax if you are a full-time student, you are living in permanent residential care, you are disabled, or for a range of other reasons. For full information, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltaxexemptions or call 01543 308900.

What if I can't pay my council tax?

If you are struggling to pay your council tax on time, please call us straightaway on 01543 308900.

If you are on a low income find out about our council tax support scheme (see page 4 for more information).

What if I miss a payment?

We will send you a reminder which gives you 7 days to pay. If you don’t pay within this time, you will lose your right to pay by instalments and will have to pay your full year's council tax balance within a further 7 days.

What if I miss more payments within the same year?

If you make a payment after the first reminder but fall behind for second time, we will send you a second reminder. This needs to be paid within 7 days or you will lose your right to pay by instalments and will have to pay your full year’s council tax balance within a further 7 days.

If you fall behind for a third time, you will be sent a final notice and will automatically lose your right to pay by instalments and the full year's council tax balance will become due.

In all instances where the full balance becomes due, unless you pay within 7 days, you will get a summons to appear at court to explain why you haven’t paid, which you can choose not to attend, and £70 will be added to your bill.

The magistrates will issue a liability order and a further £25 will be added to your bill. The order allows us to legally collect the money you owe. We can do this by deducting money from your benefits or earnings, or by instructing an enforcement agent (formally known as bailiffs). Ultimately, you could serve time in prison.

What is the new legislation concerning bailiffs?

From 6 April 2014 the ‘Taking Control of Goods Regulations’ will come into force. From then bailiffs will be known as enforcement agents. The way they collect your debt will change and the fees they charge will be fixed by legislation.

If we have to ask enforcement agents to collect the money you owe us, you will be charged for this.

The initial fee is £75. If they visit your home, you will be charged a minimum fee of £235. VAT may also be added to these fees. You will also be charged more fees if goods are removed from your home. If your debt is passed to enforcement agents, it is highly unlikely that we will intervene with their course of action and you must pay them direct.

What if I’m on a low income or unemployed?

What if my circumstances change?

You must tell us within 21 days. It is an offence not to report changes that affect your council tax liability, including any council tax support you get.

For help and advice, please email benefits@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308900.

Can I appeal against my council tax band?

You can appeal by writing to The Listing Officer, Valuation Office Agency, Blackburn House, Old Hall Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 3BS or by calling 03000 505700. If you and the Valuation Office Agency can’t agree on the appeal, it will be referred to a valuation tribunal.

While my band is being reviewed, do I have to pay council tax?

Yes. If an appeal is successful you will be refunded any overpaid council tax or be charged any underpayment.

Does the council pass on my council tax information?

Yes. We have duty to protect the public funds we administer and may use the information you have provided for the prevention and detection of fraud.

We may also share the information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

To find out more about council tax, exemptions and discounts, and the ways you can pay, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax

You may be eligible for some help to pay your council tax. This is called council tax support (formerly council tax benefit). You will need to make an application to the council, and we will assess how much help you could get based on your income, capital and who else lives in your home. To find out more and to download an application form, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/claimform

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District services you help to fund We use the council tax we receive to deliver a wide range of services – from recycling, to leisure centres and much more. Find out how we spend council tax below: 2013/14 (last year) We made £’000 income

Collecting and disposing of waste and recycling

5,128

-2,879

2,249

5,249

-3,017

2,232

Sports activities, leisure centres, holiday activities and more

5,494

-2,511

2,983

5,030

-2,288

2,742

The services we deliver include:

Our net We will spend was spend £’000 £’000 on services

We project Our net £’000 spend is set income to be £’000

785

-154

631

724

-114

610

Environmental health: inspecting restaurants, bars and clubs for food hygiene, noise, other issues and more.

1,009

-238

771

1,039

-303

736

Planning and building control: processing planning applications and ensuring developments meet required standards

3,433

-1,939

1,494

3,255

-1,868

1,387

Cleaning streets and roads

2,146

-489

1,657

1,195

-497

698

21,387

-20,482

905

21,922

-20,926

996

1,356

-1,086

270

1,139

-1,061

78

General cultural and commercial services

4,715

-3,800

915

2,697

-1,857

840

Corporate activities

3,057

-357

2,700

2,884

-352

2,532

Service spend/income

8,046

-7,946

100

7,632

-7,629

3 -1,805

Housing and welfare services Providing council tax and housing benefits and concessionary fares Boosting our economy through economic development and tourism

0

-2,810

-2,810

0

-1,805

12

-113

-101

13

-84

-71

Use of reserves

0

-1,297

-1,297

0

-364

-364

Government grants

0

-5,211

-5,211

11,517

-16,704

-5,187

Collection fund

0

0

0

0

-63

-63

56,568

-51,312

5,256

64,296

-58,932

5,364

Capital, pension and earmarked reserves Interest receipts/payments

Total council tax requirement

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2014/15 (this year)

We spent £’000 on services

How much do parish councils get?

Your local parish, town or city council gets a proportion of money from your bill to deliver local services.

This table shows how much your parish council will receive, based on the average council tax bill (Band D).

Find your parish from the list below

2013/14 (last year)

2014/15 (this year)

Parish council tax precept (£)

Parish council tax precept (£)

Parish council tax charge (average home Band D) (£)

Parish council tax charge (average home Band D) (£)

Alrewas

29.651

26.01

33,040

28.92

Armitage with Handsacre

66.742

39.22

69,787

39.04

Burntwood

224,150

28.39

218,923

27.91

Clifton Campville with Thorpe Constantine

14.179

41.84

14,398

41.24

Colton

11,488

38.92

12,724

42.22

2,344

10.09

2,497

10.55

Drayton Basset

20,019

47.06

20,005

47.00

Edingale

10,334

39.93

10,347

40.15

Elford

10,934

39.22

10,939

39.35

Fazeley

52,597

37.51

52,553

37.71

Fradley & Streethay

48,036

37.16

57,068

44.16

Hammerwich

18,976

14.42

18,995

14.48

Hamstall Ridware

3,267

23.45

3,266

23.36

Harlaston

5,321

30.01

5,321

29.89

Hints & Canwell

6,471

37.15

6,854

40.51

10,872

20.87

11,576

22.38

Lichfield

595,321

52.64

595,518

52.75

Longdon

14,209

19.60

16,729

23.04

Mavesyn Ridware

13,309

32.14

14,352

34.72

116,312

35.15

126,337

38.08

Swinfen & Packington

4,080

30.07

4,088

30.46

Wall

5,047

27.28

5,874

30.82

Weeford

1,254

14.46

1,243

13.86

Whittington & Fisherwick

40,876

37.79

41,588

38.78

Wiggington & Hopwas

17,340

39.47

17,324

39.45

Curborough & Elmhurst and Farewell & Chorley

Kings Bromley

Shenstone

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Any questions?

Please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax or call our team on 01543 308900 Monday – Friday, 8.45am – 5pm

If you would like this leaflet in another format such as large print, please call 01543 308000.