Council tax booklet 2016/2017

Council Tax Explained Local Policing Summary District Council Priorities

North Kesteven 2016/17

District Council maintains one of the country’s lowest charges

Contacting your authorities

We can provide the information in this booklet in Braille, large type or other languages if required. Please contact North Kesteven District Council at the address below North Kesteven District Council

Community Access Points

Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF General Enquiries: 01529 414155 Fax: 01529 413956 Email: customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk Minicom service (general): 01522 873693 Minicom service (housing): 01522 573498 Website: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

INFO-LINKS North Hykeham Up to June 1, 2016 North Hykeham Town Council, Fen Lane, North Hykeham LN6 8EY From June 1, 2016 ONE NK, (formerly NK Centre), Moor Lane North Hykeham LN6 9AX

Cover photo: The Council continues to deliver excellent recycling and residual waste collections, as well as a paid-for garden waste removal service, with collection dates remaining unchanged in the year ahead.

See www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/findmybinday

Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire County Council County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL General enquiries: 01522 552222 Email: customer_services@lincolnshire.gov.uk Minicom service: 01522 552055 Website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk If you want any more information on the county council’s budget for 2016/17, please email finance@lincolnshire.gov.uk or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/finance Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner Deepdale Lane, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2LT Tel: 01522 947192 Fax: 01522 558739 Email: Lincolnshire-pcc@lincs.pnn.police.uk Lincolnshire Police General Enquiries Tel: 101 (your call may be recorded) Emergencies: 999 and ask for police Minicom/textphone: 01522 558140 Website: www.lincs.police.uk 2 North Kesteven District Council

Billinghay Cottage & Parish Office The Old Vicarage Cottage, Church Street, Billinghay LN4 4HN Heckington Parish Office Eastgate, Heckington NG34 9RB Metheringham Parish Office 15A High Street, Metheringham LN4 3DZ Navenby Village Office The Venue, Grantham Road, Navenby LN5 0EN Skellingthorpe Village Office Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe Community Centre, Lincoln LN6 5UT The Witham Office (Bassingham) The Hammond Hall, Lincoln Road, Bassingham LN5 9HQ Waddington Parish Council High Street, Waddington, Lincoln LN5 9RF Washingborough Civic Office Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln LN4 1AB Within North Kesteven, Local Access Points offer a District-wide network of offices where you can pick-up leaflets, drop-in forms and seek advice on things like benefits claims, housing grants and other District Council service.

Council Tax explained Who gets the Council Tax? North Kesteven District Council collects the Council Tax. However, we only keep less than ten per cent of it. We pay the rest over to Lincolnshire County Council, parish and town councils and the Police & Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire. See details on pages 6 and 16.

What is Council Tax and who has to pay?

Council Tax is a tax on people’s homes. Council and police services are paid for by income from Government grants, Council Tax, fees and other charges.

Owner occupiers and their partners usually have to pay the Council Tax bill. Where homes are rented, the tenants and their partners will have to pay. In the case of empty homes, it’s normally the owner who has to pay.

The owners of these properties have to pay: > Residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels > Those occupied by • a minister of religion or a religious community • more than one household or • resident staff or asylum seekers Please contact us if you have been made the liable person, and you believe this to be incorrect.

What are valuation bands – can you appeal?

The Valuation Office, an executive agency of HM Revenue & Customs, has given each property a valuation band, between A and H, according to its market value in April 1991. If your property was built after April 1991, it will be valued as if it had existed then.

Band

Market Value (at April 1991)

A

Up to £40,000

B

£40,001 - £52,000

C

£52,001 - £68,000

D

£68,001 - £88,000

E

£88,001 - £120,000

F

£120,001 - £160,000

G

£160,001 - £320,000

H

More than £320,000

You can appeal against the valuation band if: > It’s within six months of you becoming the taxpayer > The value changes because of demolition work, a conversion, a change of use or any other physical change to the property’s location You must carry on paying your Council Tax while your appeal is being considered.

For more information about valuation bands or appeals, contact: The Listing Officer, Council Tax East Valuation Office Agency Ground Floor, Ferrers House Castle Meadow Road Nottingham, NG2 1AB Telephone: 03000 501501 Website: www.voa.gov.uk Email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk If your initial appeal fails, you have further avenues of appeal, which will be explained to you by the Valuation Office.

In common with all local authorities, North Kesteven District Council has a duty to protect the public funds it administers. We are required to participate in data matching exercises, carried out by the Audit Commission’s National Fraud Initiative, to prevent and detect fraud.

North Kesteven District Council 3

Council Tax explained Council Tax discounts

Council Tax exemptions

You may be able to get a discount, or in some cases, a full exemption if no-one lives in the property. Any property that has been empty (unoccupied and unfurnished) for less than two months will be granted a 100% discount. If the property is still empty after two months then a 25% discount will apply. But if the property remains empty for more than two years, then the discount will be removed and an extra 50% levy will be payable, making the total charge 150%. All this is worked out from when the property first became empty. Occupation of a property for less than six weeks will not be counted as a break in the empty period.

The discount on furnished properties which are no one’s sole or main residence is 10%.

You can get a 25% discount on your bill if there is only one person aged 18 or over in your home.

People under 18, or in a group listed below, are NOT included when counting the number of people in your home for Council Tax purposes: > Most full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices > The partner of a student or the dependant of a student who is not a British citizen and is not allowed to work in this country or claim benefits > People who are long-term patients in hospital or who live in care homes > People who are severely mentally impaired > 18 and 19 year olds still eligible for child benefit > School and college leavers (from April to October if they are under 20 years old) > Low-paid care workers > Residents of homeless hostels or night shelters > Carers looking after someone who is not their partner and not their child, under 18 years old > Members of religious communities > Members of visiting armed forces and international institutions > Diplomats > People in prison (except for those in prison for non-payment of fines or Council Tax)

Please contact us if: > You think you should be getting a discount or > You are getting a discount and your circumstances have changed so that you should no longer get it.

Generally, you don’t have to pay Council Tax on the classes of property listed in the two sections that follow because they are exempt. Some classes do have time limits though and you may have to pay a charge after the exemption runs out. Please note that time limits run from when the circumstances of the exempt class first started to apply, and they don’t re-start if the property changes hands.

Classes of exempt EMPTY property: Class B - owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months only) Class D - the taxpayer is in prison (except for those in prison for non-payment of fines or Council Tax) Class E - the taxpayer has left it to go and live in a care home Class F - the taxpayer has died (in some cases, exempt for up to six months after probate granted) Class G - can’t be lived in by law Class H - held for a minister of religion Class I - the taxpayer has gone to live elsewhere to receive personal care Class J - the taxpayer has gone to live elsewhere to provide personal care Class K - left empty by a student Class L - the mortgagee has possession Class Q - the taxpayer is trustee to a bankrupt Class R - unused caravan pitch or boat mooring Class T - unoccupied annexe to an occupied home Classes of exempt OCCUPIED property: Class M - student halls of residence Class N - all occupiers are students, school or college leavers or non-British dependants or partners of students Class O - UK armed forces accommodation

4 North Kesteven District Council

Council Tax explained

Class P - visiting forces accommodation Class S - all occupiers are under 18 Class U - all occupiers are severely mentally impaired Class V - main residence of a person with diplomatic privilege or immunity or Class W - the annexe to a property occupied by a dependant relative.

A 50% discount can also be granted in certain circumstances where an annex to a main dwelling is occupied by a non-dependent relative of the person paying Council Tax on the main dwelling.

Please contact us if: > You think your property should be exempt from Council Tax or > Your circumstances have changed so that it should no longer be exempt.

Penalties You must notify us of a change in circumstances within 21 days. Failure to do so could result in a penalty of £70 being imposed.

People with disabilities You can get your bill reduced by one valuation band if you have a second bathroom; a second kitchen; a special room; or enough floor space to use a wheelchair indoors and the facility is necessary to meet the needs of anyone in the home who is disabled.

If you qualify for this reduction, you will have to renew your application annually.

Please contact us if: > You think you should be getting a disabled band reduction or > Your circumstances have changed so that you no longer need to receive the reduction.

Claiming Council Tax Support Don’t pay more Council Tax than you need to.

Council Tax Support is a means-tested discount that can reduce your bill by up to 100%, if:

> You get Income Support, income-related Job Seekers Allowance, income based Employment and Support Allowance or the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. > Other working-age claimants on low incomes can get up to 90% discount. > A capital limit of £8,000 applies on savings, investments and second properties but does not count your own home or value of a selfemployed business. Discount still applies if you are working and income is low enough.

We can tell you everything you need to know and fill in the forms by contacting us. Proof of financial circumstances is needed to stop fraud.

If you can’t get Council Tax Support you might still be able to get Second Adult Rebate if you are the only one liable to pay Council Tax and other adults in the home have low incomes.

Use the calculator at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk to help work out if you qualify for Council Tax Support.

Housing Benefit (help with your rent) If you rent your home and have low income, you could get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent. Contact the Council to discuss eligibility.

Are you finding it hard to pay This booklet contains information about many discounts, exemptions, banding reductions and benefits that can help reduce your bill. We can advise further on any of these.

If you don’t qualify or are already receiving some help, and still find it hard to pay, contact us as soon as possible to discuss your payments.

The Citizens Advice Bureau gives free impartial advice to people struggling with debt. Offices in Sleaford and Lincoln or 08444 111 444.

The Council has discretion to give local Council Tax discounts, used in very exceptional and deserving circumstances. If you think this might apply to you, contact us for more information.

North Kesteven District Council 5

Council Tax Levels Your Council Tax this year 2016/17 Band A

Band B

COUNTY

£752.55

£877.98 £1,003.40 £1,128.83 £1,379.68 £1,630.53 £1,881.38 £2,257.66

POLICE

£133.34

£156.73

£179.12

£201.51

£246.29

£291.07

£335.85

£403.02

NKDC

£99.90

£116.55

£133.20

£149.85

£183.15

£216.45

£249.75

£299.70

TOTAL

£952.32 £1,111.04 £1,269.76 £1,428.48 £1,745.91 £2,063.35 £2,380.79 £2,856.95

Households per band in NK

13,209

12,250

Band C

12,614

Band D

6,450

Band E

Band F

3,158

1,454

Band G

411

Band H

57

The overall Council Tax for the coming year is set only fractionally higher than in 2015/16.

The largest part of the bill is accounted for by Lincolnshire County Council which has increased its rate, by 3.95% which include a 2% uplift to support the costs of social care. This means that at Band D you will be paying £42.89 more this year than last year. At Band D this is a charge of £1,128.83.

The Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner has increased the rate for policing by 1.96% which makes its charge at Band D £201.51, up £3.87 over the year.

North Kesteven District Council has increased its charge by 3.41%, after the Government gave additional flexibility in order to build up financial resilience. This makes the Band D charge £149.85, up £4.95 a year - 9.5 pence per week. The Council maintains one of the lowest district charges in the country.

At Bands A to C, which account for more than 77% of homes in North Kesteven, this gives an annual increase of £3.30 at band A, £3.85 at Band B and £4.40 at Band C, or between 27 and 36 pence more per month to receive the services provided by the District Council.

In addition, in most places, parish and town councils impose extra charges for their expenses. These have changed by variable amounts so, depending on where you live you will be paying more or even fractionally less than you did last year for the services they provide.

How the Council Tax collected by NKDC is distributed  District Council’s requirement £5,312,183 9.5%  Parish/Town Councils’ requirement £2,570,437 4.6%  Lincolnshire County Council’s requirement £40,741,999 72.9%  Police & Crime Commissioner’s requirement £7,275,217 13.0% Contact us about changes and corrections Please tell us if: > We’ve sent the bill to the wrong person > You’ve moved house > We’ve calculated your bill wrongly > We’ve calculated your Council Tax Support (CTS) wrongly > You should receive a discount, an exemption, 6 North Kesteven District Council

a disabled band reduction, or CTS > You should no longer receive a discount, an exemption, a disabled band reduction, or CTS Contact the Customer Services Team about benefits, business rates and Council Tax: Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7EF

Tel: 01529 414155

Priorities for North Kesteven District Council in 2016/17

Our Economy To promote the economic and employment growth of North Kesteven Our OurHomes Homes To emergingneeds needs Topromote promotehousing housinggrowth growththat thatmeets meetsthe thecurrent currentand & emerging ofofNorth NorthKesteven Kesteven Our Communities To support the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities OurCouncil Council Our Tobe beaahigh-performing high performing&and value for money Council is prepared To value-for-money Council thatthat is prepared forthe thefuture future for What you get for your money At Band D, NKDC is charging £149.85 for the delivery of its services in 2016/17. In reality most homes will pay less; £99.90, £116.55 or £133.20 per year at bands A, B and C respectively. For this you receive: > Refuse & recycling clearance and street cleaning Strategic Planning Unit devising the Local Plan > Planning control > Advice on housing and homelessness > Restaurant, pub and take-away food hygiene checks > Administration of council tax and housing benefits > Partnership on Community Safety and CCTV > Organisation of elections > Economic promotion and support for regeneration > Rate relief to organisations and businesses > Grants for repairs, insulation and energy efficiency > Community access points > Licensing of entertainment and alcohol provision > Action against anti-social behaviour > Leisure facilities and sports outreach > Support in achieving energy and costs savings > Visitor attractions and countryside protection > Contribution to many community and partnership > Contribution to the Central Lincolnshire Joint initiatives.... and much, much more.

Why the District Council’s budgetary requirement has changed from last year NKDC, excluding parishes and footway lighting

Change in expenditure & income, £

Net expenditure 2015/16

4,874,700

Employee expenses, eg staff pay award

469,300

Planning income

(54,900)

Reduced recycling credit

345,600

Green Waste

Cost per Band D, £ 144.90

(180,000)

Miscellaneous changes - net

(74,400)

Net expenditure 2016/17

5,380,300

149.85

Increase per Band D property

4.95 48.45

Based on a population figure of 111,046 this equates to a cost per head of This equals a cost per household of:

108.47

North Kesteven District Council 7

District Council finance Your Council Tax goes towards paying for the following: 2015/16

2016/17

Net Expenditure £

Gross Expenditure £

Less Income £

Net Expenditure £

Service Expenditure 562,500

Our Economy

513,300

Our Homes

1,727,200

(1,114,000)

613,200

2,591,900

(4,925,100)

(2,333,200)

6,180,500

Our Communities

28,391,900

(22,354,300)

6,037,600

3,545,900

Our Council

10,185,400

(6,373,300)

3,812,100

377,200

–

377,200

(293,700)

–

(293,700)

(34,766,700)

12,015,000

(6,634,700)

(6,634,700)

365,100 90,400 363,000 11,620,700

Drainage Rates Net Financing Costs Movement on reserves

3,801,800

Net cost of Services

46,781,700

3,801,800

Funding (6,746,000) 4,874,700 153,400

Less Government Grants District Council Net Expenditure

5,380,300

Footway Lighting

2,503,400

Parish Precepts

7,531,500

Met from District Council Tax

157,200

157,200

2,648,500

2,648,500 8,186,000

Financial reserves and liabilities Reserves and Balances

Balance at 1.4.15 £

In-year Movements £

Balance at 1.4.16 £

Balances: - General fund

1,202,900

–

1,202,900

- Housing Revenue Account

1,099,200

(373,600)

725,600

7,731,600

(3,611,200)

4,120,400

360,200

99,900

460,100

1,614,400

(831,600)

782,800

Reserves: - Revenue - Housing Revenue Account Capital: - General fund - Housing Revenue Account

4,635,900

(1,746,500)

2,889,400

Total reserves and balances

16,644,200

(6,463,000)

10,181,200

External borrowing

76,590,867

(4,585,567)

72,005,300

8 North Kesteven District Council

Lincolnshire County Council

Lincolnshire County Council

The financial challenge

Tough decisions

Once again, Lincolnshire County Council has had a tough financial settlement from the Government, with a reduced grant of around £37m over the next two years.

The council also has increasing costs, especially from adult care, including the new National Living Wage and increased National Insurance contributions. This means the difference between our income and our spend on services is widening.

As well as the savings we are making this year, the council will also need to find further significant savings in 2017/18 and beyond. Despite all these challenges, we have a duty to invest in Lincolnshire’s future, as we’ve done for many years.

To increase our income and support key services, residents will see an increase in our share of council tax. This is made up of a 1.95% increase consistent with last year, and a 2% ‘precept’ which the Government has given councils with responsibility for adult care the option of adding.

This precept would be spent exclusively on adult care, where the greatest pressures are clearly being felt, with increasing in costs and demand, and the reduced Government grant.

We are committed to maintaining the county’s roads and infrastructure for the benefit of future generations, boosting economic investment, stimulating growth, and creating businesses and jobs.

We’ve allocated £42m towards the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and £35m for the Grantham Southern Relief Road, and £10m for the Spalding Relief Road.

Homes and businesses on the east coast will benefit from £11m towards the cost of the Boston Flood Barrier.

For more information on the council’s finances, please visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/finance.

This rise equates to an extra £43 a year for a Band D property, or 82p a week.

We will also be using £21m of our reserves, as well as making around £41m of savings by reducing the budgets of some services and stopping others entirely.

North Kesteven District Council 9 Lincolnshire County Council 9

Lincolnshire County Council

Lincolnshire County Council Adult 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 of an adult social care authority being able to charge a “precept” of up to 2% 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% (comprising 2% for expenditure on adult social care and 2% for other expenditure), for adult social care authorities.

10 Lincolnshire County Council

These authorities may therefore set council tax up to this percentage in 2016 without holding a referendum.

Within Lincolnshire, adult care services will incur an additional £15.8m of costs in 2016/17 as a result of growth in the number of vulnerable adults who will require our services and increasing costs of providing these services, including those brought about by the introduction of the National Living Wage.

Of this, the 2% Adult Social Care precept will provide £4.7m of additional funding. Savings and additional income generated by the service will contribute £7.2m. The remaining £3.9m will be funded via additional council investment into this service.

Lincolnshire County Council

16/2017 Spending on Services : £1,098m

2016/2017 Spending on services: £1,098m

Schools

£522m 48%

Children’s Services

£122m 11%

Adult Care

£204m 19%

Community Wellbeing and Public Health Environment and Economy Other Services

£47m

4%

£79m

7%

£124m 11%

2016/2017 Capital Investment : £195m Schools £522m -­‐ 48%

2016/2017 Children's Services £122m -­‐ 11%

Capital investment: £195m

Adult Care £204m -­‐ 19% Community Wellbeing and Public Health £47m -­‐ 4% Environment and Economy £79m -­‐ 7% Other Services £124m -­‐ 11%

Children’s Services

£19m 10%

Adult Care

£5m

2%

Environment and Economy Other

£50m 26%

Environment and Economy New Road Schemes

£103m 53%

Other Services

£18m

9%

Note Children’s Services includes: children’s centres, child protection and fostering and adoption.

Children's Services £19m -­‐ 10%

Adult Care includes: older people, physical disability and learning disabilities.

Adult CCommunity are £5m -­‐ Wellbeing 2% and Public Health includes: library and information services, and prevention and treatment of substance misuse.

Environment and Economy Other £50m -­‐ 26%

Environment and Economy includes: public transport (including concessionary fares), highways asset

management waste management.

Environment and Eand conomy New Road Schemes £103m -­‐ 53%

Other Services includes: fire and rescue, back office services (including finance and business support).

Other Services £18m -­‐ 9%

Lincolnshire County Council 11

About this Lincolnshire County Council Where the money comes from The table below shows how we get our total income of £1,098m: Revenue Support Grant Business Rates Council Tax Dedicated Schools Grant Grants & Contributions Other Income (Fees & Charges) Total

2016/17 (£m)

2016/17 (%)

70 104 254 497 118 55

6 9 23 45 12 5

1,098

100

Our share of the Council Tax Lincolnshire County Council has increased its share of the Council Tax by 3.95% in 2016/2017.

The table below shows the amount you pay towards our services. (This does not include the amounts you pay for district councils, parish councils or the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire).

Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H

Amount 2015/16

Amount 2016/17

£723.96 £844.62 £965.28 £1,085.94 £1,327.26 £1,568.58 £1,809.90 £2,171.88

£752.55 £877.98 £1003.40 £1,128.83 £1,379.68 £1,630.53 £1,881.38 £2,257.66

Our borrowing Like most local authorities, we borrow money to pay for long-term investment in the county’s roads, schools and buildings. On 31 March 2015 we owed £467m. Annual repayments on that borrowing remain well within the Council’s prudent limit of 10% of total income.

Flood Defence The Environment Agency is responsible for protecting people and property against flooding from sea and rivers. The majority of its funding comes from the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), but Lincolnshire County Council is also making a contribution of £0.637m for 2016/17 (£0.639m for 2015/16).

Lincolnshire County Council is a member of the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority - one of ten authorities which protect the marine inshore environment around the coasts of England. Lincolnshire County Council is contributing £0.453m for 2016/17 (£0.453m for 2015/16).

12 Lincolnshire County Council

Lincolnshire County Council What you actually pay for services Spending minus income £m

Estimated cost per resident £

Spending £m

Income £m

141.3 529.3 218.5 53.3 145.7 64.0 -13.8 -19.6

17.5 529.3 49.9 38.1 19.1 11.1 0.0 -12.2

123.80 0.0 168.6 15.2 126.6 52.9 -13.8 -7.4

169.31 0.0 230.39 20.78 173.01 72.36 -18.90 -10.09

Total planned spending Contributions to/from savings

1,118.70 -21.0

652.80 0.0

465.90 -21.0

636.86 -28.66

Budget requirement

1,097.70

652.80

444.90

608.20

2015/16

Spending £m

Income £m

Spending minus income £m

Estimated cost per resident £

182.2 526.1 208.5 63.3 140.9 59.4 -8.1 -61.2

17.4 526.1 45.6 32.5 14.1 11.8 0.0 -12.8

164.8 0.0 162.9 30.8 126.8 47.6 -8.1 -48.4

224.76 0.00 222.16 41.92 172.84 64.91 -11.04 -65.98

Total planned spending Contributions to/from savings

1,111.1 -22.2

634.7 0.0

476.4 -22.2

649.57 -30.24

Budget requirement

1,088.9

634.7

454.2

619.33

2016/17 Children’s Services Schools Adult Care Community Wellbeing & Public Health Environment & Economy Other Services Pension Contribution from Services *Capital projects adjustment-see note below

Children’s Services Schools Adult Care Community Wellbeing & Public Health Environment & Economy Other Services Pension Contribution from Services *Capital projects adjustment-see note below

* The difference between what we spend on capital projects and the charges which we must include in spending on services The use of a minus (-) in front of a figure shows that income has been received and therefore taken off total spending.

Note Children’s Services includes: children’s centres, child protection and fostering and adoption.

Adult Care includes: older people, physical disability and learning disabilities.

Community Wellbeing and Public Health includes: library and information services, and prevention and treatment of substance misuse.

Environment and Economy includes: public transport (including concessionary fares), highways asset management and waste management.

Other Services includes: fire and rescue, back office services (including finance and business support).

Lincolnshire County Council 13

A Message from

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire

ALAN HARDWICK Throughout my time as Police and Crime Commissioner I have made a commitment to listen to the views of the people of Lincolnshire.

Our communities have always been very clear that they would find reductions in the numbers of police officers and PCSOs unacceptable. So would I. I will therefore be providing the Chief Constable with a budget that allows him to maintain 1100 police officers and 149 PCSOs. In his Spending Review and Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said “there will be no cuts in the police budget at all.” However this assumes that PCCs in England increase their precept to the maximum referendum limit in 2016/17.

The income I received from the Home Office in 2015/16 was £65.9m. The provisional figure for 2016/17 is £65.5m. I cautiously welcome this, however the new funding formula which has been delayed must ensure those Forces such as Lincolnshire that have a history of delivering efficiencies are not penalised in the future. The new funding arrangements need to incentivise those less efficient forces into action. This is not evident in this year’s settlement.

I raise nearly 40% of the costs of policing in Lincolnshire from the Council Tax precept. This is above the national average. As I have always said, and the Home Affairs Select Committee agrees, this is unfair. I have therefore always been clear that I do not wish to place a greater burden on the taxpayers of this County. However I also have a duty to maintain efficient and effective police services in Lincolnshire and

14 Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire

must have regard to the Chief Constable’s advice about the resources he needs to keep our communities safe. In setting my budget I have considered these duties alongside the level of central government grant and what it is fair to raise through the precept.

For these reasons, I have taken the difficult decision to raise the policing element of the council tax by 1.96%. For the majority of Lincolnshire residents this amounts to no more than 7 pence per week.

The Chief Constable and I are continuing to work positively with Government to inform the development of a new funding formula that is fair to both Lincolnshire and the police service as a whole.

Proposals for the funding formula suggested we would be £8 million better off. There is recognition that we have been treated unfairly in the past and the Government have made a commitment to address that next year. Ministers have put their faith in us to deliver one of the most efficient and effective police forces in the Country and I have faith that they will stay true to their word.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire

I am always keen to hear from the people of Lincolnshire.

You can contact me in the following ways: Web:

www.lincolnshire-pcc.gov.uk

Phone: 01522 947192 Email: Lincolnshire-pcc@lincs.pnn.police.uk You can write to me at: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Lincolnshire Police Headquarters, Deepdale Dale, Nettleham, Lincoln. LN2 2LT

Increase Increase Property Cost last Cost this this year per week Band year (£) year (£) (£) (pence) A

131.76

2.58

134.34

5

B

153.72

3.01

156.73

6

C

175.68

3.44

179.12

7

D

197.64

3.87

201.51

7

E

241.56

4.73

246.29

9

F

285.48

5.59

291.07

11

G

329.40

6.45

335.85

12

H

395.28

7.74

403.02

15

What money do we receive and how is it spent?

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s total funding for 2016/17 is budgeted to be £117.1 million.

The majority of this income (58.1%) comes from government grants, 38.7% comes from council tax.

Income Government Grants 58.0% Council tax 38.7% Other income 1.8% Contribution from Reserves 1.3% Total 100.0%

£68.0m £45.3m £2.1m £1.5m £117.0m

Income (in £ millions) Other £2.1M (1.8%)

Contribution from Reserves £1.5M (1.3%)

The majority of the budgeted expenditure is spent on the direct cost of employing police officers, with the rest spent on support staff, vehicles and the other services they need to perform their duties.

Expenditure Police Officers 48.7% Police Staff 12.5% Strategic Partner 19.1% Other costs 19.6% Total 100.0%

£57.0m £14.6m £22.3m £23.0m £117.0m

Expenditure (in £ millions) Other Costs £23.0M (19.6%)

Police Officers £57.0M (48.7%)

Strategic Partner £22.3M (19.1%) Council Tax £45.3M (38.7%) Government Grants Council Tax

Government Grants £68.0M (58.0%) Other Contribution from Reserves

Police Staff £14.6M (12.5%) Police Officers Police Staff

Strategic Partner Other Costs

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire 15

Additional Parish Council Tax Levy for 2016/17

The District Council has set a Band D Council Tax of £1,480.19 (District Council £149.85, Lincolnshire County Council £1,128.83 and Police Commissioner £201.51) for its area for the chargeable financial year beginning on April 1, 2016. Additional amounts have been set for the places detailed below for the special expenses of footway lighting and the precepts of local parish and town councils. Charges are quoted at Band D. Local Precept Local Precept 2015/16, £ 2016/17, £ 5,550 8,260 9,500 45,000 7,832 32,797 711 83,810 93,433 14,619 230 5,450 9,215 7,875 31,040 11,657 6,362 2,034 4,588 14,769 12,309 3,382 7,337 11,238 71,826 74,942 8,878 6,676 8,144 16,436 1,973 6,499 115,791 57,471 13,672 392,845 6,700 7,714 2,032 4,800 14,793 3,399 134,034 12,649 2,872 3,908 94,230 544,030 9,726 4,023 500 2,361 11,179 6,418 484 4,904 102,720 6,104 97,877 17,367 18,731 10,070 51,321

5,917 8,390 9,910 47,000 8,800 34,988 729 86,548 99,410 15,950 230 5,500 9,418 7,991 31,713 15,206 6,398 2,605 4,687 15,655 12,897 3,427 8,123 11,826 82,538 77,456 9,122 6,817 9,280 17,652 1,483 6,673 122,202 58,363 16,673 442,971 6,700 8,824 2,149 4,904 16,951 4,899 140,085 13,097 2,887 3,983 100,041 563,278 10,451 4,226 500 2,414 12,302 7,772 490 4,951 126,574 6,602 112,347 18,609 19,656 13,235 57,967

Local Council Anwick Asgarby and Howell Ashby, Bloxholm, Temple Bruer with Temple High Grange Aswarby and Swarby Aubourn and Haddington Aunsby and Dembleby Bassingham Beckingham Billinghay Blankney Boothby Graffoe Bracebridge Heath Branston and Mere Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe Burton Pedwardine Canwick Carlton le Moorland Coleby Cranwell, Byard’s Leap and Brauncewell Culverthorpe and Kelby Digby Doddington and Whisby Dogdyke Dorrington Dunston Eagle and Swinesthorpe Ewerby and Evedon Great Hale Harmston Heckington Heighington Helpringham Kirkby-la-Thorpe Leadenham Leasingham and Roxholm Little Hale Martin Metheringham Navenby (includes Skinnand) Newton, Haceby and Walcot Nocton North Hykeham North Kyme North Scarle Norton Disney Osbournby Potterhanworth Rauceby Rowston Ruskington Scopwick Scredington Silk Willoughby Skellingthorpe Sleaford South Hykeham South Kyme Stapleford Swaton Swinderby Thorpe on the Hill Threekingham Thurlby Timberland Waddington Walcott Washingborough Welbourn Wellingore Wilsford Witham St Hughs

Local Council, £ 48.51 0.00 30.83 0.00 75.91 0.00 85.81 64.00 56.10 0.00 7.72 47.92 71.98 61.40 5.95 36.94 43.15 49.76 39.20 0.00 77.56 56.25 28.79 39.35 60.59 46.25 22.87 33.12 40.73 72.06 76.71 31.88 17.51 65.48 32.16 20.40 25.38 113.56 77.37 0.00 57.05 92.81 45.34 41.05 22.44 37.03 63.12 24.22 0.00 83.79 56.38 34.97 32.59 87.71 104.07 29.77 31.57 10.85 37.86 49.98 36.64 0.00 14.31 24.87 73.96 36.49 92.29 77.56 65.24 90.64 64.31

Footway Lighting, £ 15.01 0.00 8.03 12.17 0.00 8.42 8.30 10.74 14.11 3.96 4.38 0.00 7.14 11.59 10.71 13.09 9.74 7.36 8.03 13.54 17.17 0.00 16.97 13.88 11.66 0.00 13.40 10.83 0.00 6.50 9.07 12.59 5.16 17.08 6.78 12.18 12.80 0.00 0.00 12.27 0.00 0.00 15.19 0.00 11.10 15.61 11.21 11.68 15.80 4.66 14.24 14.31 14.02 0.00 0.00 6.73 13.24 0.00 17.59 12.24 10.86 17.77 0.00 13.65 0.00 15.34 10.77 0.00 14.90 15.41 0.00

Total Council Tax, £ 1,543.71 1,480.19 1,519.04 1,492.36 1,556.10 1,488.61 1,574.30 1,554.92 1,550.40 1,484.15 1,492.30 1,528.11 1,559.31 1,553.18 1,496.85 1,530.22 1,533.08 1,537.31 1,527.42 1,493.73 1,574.91 1,536.44 1,525.95 1,533.43 1,552.44 1,526.44 1,516.46 1,524.14 1,520.92 1,558.75 1,566.97 1,524.66 1,502.86 1,562.76 1,519.13 1,512.77 1,518.38 1,593.75 1,557.56 1,492.46 1,537.24 1,573.00 1,540.72 1,521.24 1,513.72 1,532.83 1,554.52 1,516.08 1,495.99 1,568.64 1,550.81 1,529.46 1,526.80 1,567.90 1,584.26 1,516.69 1,525.00 1,491.04 1,535.64 1,542.41 1,527.68 1,498.96 1,494.50 1,518.70 1,554.15 1,532.03 1,583.25 1,557.75 1,560.33 1,585.80 1,544.50