A Guide to your Council Tax 2012-13 - Bournemouth Borough Council
A Guide to your Council Tax 2012-13 - Bournemouth Borough Council
A Guide to your Council Tax 2012-13 - Bournemouth Borough Council
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A guide <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
Budgets and spending plans for <strong>your</strong> local services<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> Page 8<br />
Dorset Police Authority<br />
Page <strong>13</strong><br />
Useful<br />
council phone<br />
numbers<br />
Pages 4-7<br />
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Dorset Fire Authority<br />
Page 16
2<br />
Introduction<br />
Statement from<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor John<br />
Beesley, Leader<br />
of <strong>Bournemouth</strong><br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
During these difficult economic times it’s<br />
important that the <strong>Council</strong> tries as hard as<br />
possible <strong>to</strong> relieve the burden on local<br />
taxpayers. We are freezing <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
again for a second year, taking advantage<br />
of the Government’s <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Freeze<br />
Grant. However, this grant is only in place<br />
for the coming financial year and as a<br />
result, our budget will be under ongoing<br />
pressure when that grant ends, as some £2<br />
million will be removed from the <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
budget next year.<br />
Government grant and <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> provide<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Council</strong> with an income of<br />
£140 million a year <strong>to</strong> spend on services<br />
for residents. Despite a cut in government<br />
grant of £5.87 million (8.3%), on <strong>to</strong>p of<br />
last year’s cut of £12.33 million (14.9%),<br />
there will be no cuts in front line services<br />
for the residents of <strong>Bournemouth</strong>.<br />
We continue <strong>to</strong> work hard <strong>to</strong> make sure<br />
that <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is in a strong<br />
financial position. Due <strong>to</strong> careful financial<br />
planning and despite much lower<br />
government funding, we have been able <strong>to</strong><br />
balance our budgets. Services such as care<br />
for children, the elderly and the<br />
vulnerable are facing increased demand<br />
and are coming under greatly increased<br />
financial pressure. However, we have put<br />
money aside and this will ensure that the<br />
<strong>Council</strong> continues <strong>to</strong> fully fund these<br />
services <strong>to</strong> meet the demands of<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong>’s residents.<br />
Our ongoing efficiency programme has<br />
already produced savings of more than<br />
£32 million since 2007. The partnership<br />
with Mouchel is set <strong>to</strong> deliver savings that<br />
will put the <strong>Council</strong> in the best possible<br />
position <strong>to</strong> protect and positively<br />
transform frontline services in the future.<br />
Thanks <strong>to</strong> this ongoing work, we will<br />
continue <strong>to</strong> invest in areas that are<br />
important <strong>to</strong> residents such as tackling<br />
anti-social behaviour, cleaning up our<br />
streets and neighbourhoods, improving<br />
roads and pavements and supporting jobs<br />
in the local economy.<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor John Beesley<br />
Leader of the <strong>Council</strong><br />
Did you Know?<br />
You can find information about the<br />
<strong>Council</strong>’s plans and performance online by<br />
visiting:<br />
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/ourperformance<br />
“<br />
Due <strong>to</strong> careful financial planning and despite much lower<br />
government funding, we have been able <strong>to</strong> balance our budgets.<br />
Publication details: This is a statu<strong>to</strong>ry document <strong>to</strong> inform residents about <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> and budgets.<br />
Published by: <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Date: March <strong>2012</strong><br />
Distribution: All <strong>Bournemouth</strong> households Cost per copy: 7p approx<br />
“
What you pay<br />
Here is a quick look at what you’ll pay<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards local services in <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>,<br />
including Dorset Police and Dorset Fire and<br />
Rescue Service. Each property has been<br />
put in<strong>to</strong> one of eight bands although <strong>your</strong><br />
final bill will be less if you qualify for<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit or other reductions.<br />
See page 19 for further details.<br />
Band 2011/12 <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
A £999.12 £999.12<br />
B £1,165.64 £1,165.64<br />
C £1,332.16 £1,332.16<br />
D £1,498.68 £1,498.68<br />
E £1,831.72 £1,831.72<br />
F £2,164.76 £2,164.76<br />
G £2,497.80 £2,497.80<br />
H £2,997.36 £2,997.36<br />
Where is <strong>your</strong> money spent?<br />
The charts on the right show:<br />
• the proportion of expenditure for<br />
each council service area<br />
• <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> elements, based on a Band<br />
D property, in comparison <strong>to</strong> last year.<br />
Turn <strong>to</strong> the following pages for more<br />
details:<br />
• Page 8 for <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong>’s finance<br />
• Page <strong>13</strong> for Dorset Police finance<br />
• Page 16 for Dorset Fire & Rescue<br />
Service finance.<br />
Your <strong>Council</strong><br />
<strong>Tax</strong> at a glance<br />
Gross expenditure on<br />
council services<br />
25%<br />
8%<br />
Schools<br />
Adult services<br />
12% 21%<br />
5%<br />
Leisure Trust (BH Live)<br />
Planning and development<br />
Highways<br />
Environmental health<br />
4%<br />
2%<br />
3% 1% 1%<br />
18%<br />
Refuse collection and disposal<br />
Economy and <strong>to</strong>urism<br />
Other children’s services<br />
Housing and benefits<br />
Other services<br />
Band D <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> comparison<br />
2011/12<br />
£60.39 £180.00 £1258.29<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
£60.39 £180.00 £1258.29<br />
Dorset Fire Authority<br />
Dorset Police Authority<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
3
4<br />
Make the most of <strong>your</strong> council services<br />
Whether you are visiting the local park, sending <strong>your</strong> children <strong>to</strong> school or putting the<br />
rubbish out for collection, everyone uses council services. Your council is working 24<br />
hours a day, 365 days a year <strong>to</strong> keep the <strong>to</strong>wn running and <strong>to</strong> support vulnerable<br />
people locally.<br />
With hundreds of local services on offer why not make the most of them? There are a<br />
number of ways you can find out more:<br />
Read all about it<br />
BH Life is the <strong>Council</strong>’s magazine. It is delivered <strong>to</strong> homes four times a year <strong>to</strong> keep you<br />
informed about <strong>your</strong> local services. See page 23 <strong>to</strong> tell us if you’re not regularly receiving<br />
<strong>your</strong> copy.<br />
Do it online<br />
You can find the latest news and information, apply for council services, report an issue<br />
in the borough, pay for services and much more at: www.bournemouth.gov.uk<br />
Be the first <strong>to</strong> know<br />
We put regular updates on Facebook and Twitter so why not take a look at our pages:<br />
• www.facebook.com/bournemouthbc<br />
• www.twitter.com/bournemouthbc<br />
Have <strong>your</strong> say<br />
Help influence local decisions by joining the e-panel. You will receive emails with short<br />
surveys <strong>to</strong> complete online about a varied range of <strong>to</strong>pics and we will tell you about other<br />
local consultations taking place <strong>to</strong>o. Sign up and have <strong>your</strong> say!<br />
Visit: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/epanel for full details.<br />
Contact us<br />
Over the next few pages we’ve listed the telephone numbers of some of <strong>your</strong><br />
key services.<br />
If you’re ever unsure of which council service it is that you need or you can’t find the<br />
number you’re looking for -<br />
• telephone our main number on: 01202 451451<br />
• visit us online at: www.bournemouth.gov.uk<br />
• or email: enquiries@bournemouth.gov.uk
Adult social care<br />
Telephone <strong>Bournemouth</strong> Care Direct on<br />
01202 454979 for all <strong>your</strong> adult social<br />
care including:<br />
• Advice for carers<br />
• Living independently<br />
• Day care<br />
• Home care.<br />
Business services<br />
Business Rates 01202 943286<br />
Business support 01202 454630<br />
Conferencing 01202 456545<br />
Trade waste 01202 451199<br />
Trading standards 01202 451400<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> and benefits<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
24 hour payment line 01202 454748<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> – enquiries 01202 451597<br />
Benefits<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>/housing 01202 451592<br />
Your council<br />
services<br />
Children’s services<br />
Telephone the Children’s Information<br />
Service on: 01202 456222 for information<br />
about:<br />
• Childcare and family support<br />
• Children’s centres<br />
• School admissions.<br />
Children’s social care 01202 458101<br />
Did you Know?<br />
72% of <strong>Bournemouth</strong> households pay<br />
their <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> by Direct Debit, which<br />
helps the <strong>Council</strong> be more efficient and<br />
cost effective. We now offer a range of<br />
Direct Debit payment dates <strong>to</strong> help you<br />
budget more easily - see page 24<br />
for details.<br />
Make the most of…<br />
...<strong>your</strong> local community centre.<br />
There are a number of centres in<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> offering a wide range of<br />
social activities and groups for people<br />
of all ages and interests. Find the<br />
details of <strong>your</strong> local centre by visiting:<br />
www.bournemouthcommunitycentres.co.uk<br />
5
6<br />
Your council services<br />
Housing and planning<br />
Building control 01202 45<strong>13</strong>23<br />
Housing – council tenants<br />
Housing defects –<br />
0800 0281870<br />
private tenants 01202 454979<br />
Housing grants<br />
Housing waiting list/<br />
01202 454979<br />
homelessness 01202 451467<br />
Land charges 01202 451119<br />
Planning services 01202 45<strong>13</strong>23<br />
Parking and travel<br />
Blue Badges<br />
Concessionary travel<br />
01202 458744<br />
(bus passes) 01202 451584<br />
Parking 01202 454721<br />
Make the most of…<br />
… parks, playgrounds, ball courts and<br />
skate parks. There are acres of open<br />
Parks, space for leisure everyone <strong>to</strong> and enjoy all over<br />
entertainment<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong>. Find <strong>your</strong> local park and<br />
details of news and events such as guided<br />
walks at: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/parks<br />
Parks, leisure and<br />
entertainment<br />
* BIC/Pavilion –<br />
visit: www.bic.co.uk 0844 576 3000<br />
* Leisure centres –<br />
visit: www.bhlive.co.uk for details:<br />
• Littledown Centre 01202 417600<br />
• Pelhams Park Leisure<br />
Centre 01202 437801<br />
• S<strong>to</strong>kewood Leisure<br />
Centre 01202 437840<br />
• Sir David English Sports<br />
Centre 01202 437800<br />
Libraries 01202 454848<br />
Parks 01202 451629<br />
Queen’s Park Golf Course 01202 451675<br />
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery<br />
& Museum 01202 451858<br />
Seafront, beach office 01202 451781<br />
Tourist information 0845 051 1700<br />
*services provided by BH Live, working with<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Did you Know?<br />
There were over a million visits made <strong>to</strong> <strong>Bournemouth</strong>’s 12 libraries last year. Our<br />
libraries are all quite different and have lots of events on offer.<br />
Visit: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/libraries <strong>to</strong> find out more.
Street services<br />
Telephone: 01202 451199 for all the<br />
following services:<br />
• Graffiti reporting<br />
• Highways – roads and pavements<br />
• Street cleaning and lighting<br />
• Rubbish and recycling.<br />
Other council services<br />
Adult learning 01202 451950<br />
Anti-social behaviour<br />
Births, deaths, marriages<br />
01202 451433<br />
and civil partnerships 01202 454945<br />
Elections and voting 01202 451123<br />
Environmental health 01202 451296<br />
Licensing<br />
Trading standards<br />
01202 451180<br />
(Consumer Direct) 0845 404 0506<br />
Pest control 01202 451199<br />
Your council<br />
services<br />
Other local services<br />
Dorset Police<br />
Dorset Fire and<br />
101<br />
Rescue Service 0<strong>13</strong>05 252600<br />
Only dial 999 if life is in danger or a crime<br />
is in progress.<br />
Did you Know?<br />
During 2011, lamp posts, signs,<br />
benches and railings were given a lick<br />
of paint as part of our Smart Streets<br />
programme <strong>to</strong> help create cleaner<br />
neighbourhoods. This included<br />
painting 1,748 metres of railings and<br />
1,025 lamp posts!<br />
Make the most of…<br />
… waste and recycling facilities. We<br />
help you reduce, reuse and recycle<br />
<strong>your</strong> waste - from a fortnightly<br />
kerbside recycling service <strong>to</strong><br />
neighbourhood recycling centres and<br />
regular events such as the ‘Give or<br />
Take days’. Find out more at:<br />
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/recycling<br />
7
8<br />
Good value local services<br />
The money you pay in <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> makes up a proportion of the <strong>Council</strong>’s overall budget<br />
with the rest coming from government grants and income from fees and charges.<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> is collected by <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> but the charge covers council,<br />
police and fire services as well as paying <strong>to</strong>wards the Environment Agency.<br />
The following ‘shopping receipt’ illustrates the weekly and annual cost of some of <strong>your</strong><br />
services. This is based on Band D <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payments:<br />
Social care for children, families and adults<br />
Weekly Cost £<strong>13</strong>.22 Annual Cost £687.<strong>13</strong><br />
Education for all ages<br />
Weekly Cost £1.73 Annual Cost £89.92<br />
Planning advice, applications and enforcement<br />
Weekly Cost £0.<strong>13</strong> Annual Cost £6.65<br />
Environmental health<br />
Weekly Cost £0.21 Annual Cost £10.92<br />
Trading standards and consumer protection<br />
Weekly Cost £0.<strong>13</strong> Annual Cost £6.54<br />
Housing for those in need<br />
Weekly Cost £0.45 Annual Cost £23.62<br />
Economic development and improving the <strong>to</strong>wn’s wealth<br />
Weekly Cost £0.27 Annual Cost £14.00<br />
Registrations<br />
Weekly Cost £0.05 Annual Cost £2.57<br />
Housing and <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> benefits<br />
Weekly Cost £0.<strong>13</strong> Annual Cost £6.80<br />
Roads and pavement maintenance<br />
Weekly Cost £0.30 Annual Cost £15.75<br />
Refuse collection, disposal and recycling<br />
Weekly Cost £2.11 Annual Cost £109.97<br />
Maintaining parks, open spaces and golf courses<br />
Weekly Cost £0.64 Annual Cost £33.43<br />
All <strong>your</strong> other council services<br />
Weekly Cost £4.83 Annual Cost £250.99<br />
Sub Total:<br />
Weekly Cost £24.20 Annual Cost £1,258.29<br />
Dorset Police<br />
Weekly Cost £3.46 Annual Cost £180.00<br />
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service<br />
Weekly Cost £1.16 Annual Cost £60.39<br />
Total:<br />
Weekly Cost £28.82 Annual Cost £1,498.68
Where the money is spent<br />
The following table shows the estimated costs and income of the services <strong>to</strong> be provided<br />
by the <strong>Council</strong> in <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>, including a comparison with 2011/12.<br />
Expenditure<br />
The <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
budget<br />
2011/12 £m <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> £m<br />
Income Net Costs Expenditure Income Net Costs<br />
105.1 (103.2) 1.9 Schools 86.5 (84.7) 1.8<br />
38.9 (10.3) 28.6 Other children’s services 38.3 (10.9) 27.4<br />
76.0 (17.9) 58.1 Adult services 77.5 (19.1) 58.4<br />
<strong>13</strong>.3 (3.5) 9.8 Highways 10.7 (1.7) 9.0<br />
114.1 (108.7) 5.4 Housing and benefits 111.9 (107.0) 4.9<br />
6.1 (0.3) 5.8 Environmental health 4.7 (0.9) 3.8<br />
11.1 (2.6) 8.5 Refuse collection and disposal 11.2 (1.2) 10.0<br />
28.4 (16.8) 11.6 Economy and <strong>to</strong>urism 21.8 (10.5) 11.3<br />
15.8 (15.8) 0.0 Leisure Trust (BH Live) 6.5 (0.9) 5.6<br />
3.8 (2.7) 1.1 Planning and development 3.9 (3.0) 0.9<br />
59.2 (43.3) 15.9 Other services 60.1 (46.2) <strong>13</strong>.9<br />
471.8 (325.1) 146.7 Total 433.1 (286.1) 147.0<br />
3.1 0.0 3.1 Contribution <strong>to</strong> Capital 0.0 0.0 0.0<br />
(10.8) 0.0 (10.8) Non-service operating items (15.9) 0.0 (15.9)<br />
<strong>13</strong>9.0 Gross expenditure/income <strong>13</strong>1.1<br />
6.4 (2.7) 3.7 Contributions <strong>to</strong>/(from) funds 8.9 0.0 8.9<br />
142.7 Budget requirement 140.0<br />
Reading the figures<br />
Income, surpluses and reduction in expenditure are shown in brackets. Spending, deficits<br />
and reductions in income are shown without brackets.<br />
9
10<br />
The <strong>Council</strong>’s budget<br />
Where the money comes from<br />
Number of Band D equivalent properties 2011/12<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
64,035<br />
64,538<br />
Amount per<br />
Band D property<br />
£m £m<br />
£<br />
<strong>Borough</strong> net expenditure 142.510 <strong>13</strong>9.826<br />
Environment Agency Levy 0.196 0.199<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Council</strong> budget requirement 142.706 140.025<br />
Less<br />
Government Grant (14.373) (1.081)<br />
National non-domestic rate (46.499) (55.763)<br />
Collection Fund (surplus)/deficit (1.259) (1.973)<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Council</strong> - <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> requirement 80.575 81.208 1,258.29<br />
Dorset Police Authority Precept 11.526 11.617 180.00<br />
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Precept 3.867 3.897 60.39<br />
Total <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> requirement 95.968 96.722 1,498.68<br />
Business Rates<br />
Businesses and other occupants of 'non-domestic properties' must pay Business Rates. The<br />
bill is calculated by multiplying the property's 'rateable value' with the Government's<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> National Rate in the pound of 45.8p. Eligible small businesses with a rateable<br />
value of less than £18,000 will qualify for a lower rate in the pound of 45.0p for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>.<br />
This is unless the ratepayer is in receipt of a manda<strong>to</strong>ry rate relief or is liable for<br />
unoccupied property rate in which case the higher rate in the pound of 45.8p will apply.<br />
The resulting figure may then be adjusted <strong>to</strong> reflect transitional arrangement or<br />
relief applicable <strong>to</strong> the particular circumstances of the property. As part of the<br />
Government's five yearly revaluation process, all rateable values have been reassessed<br />
from 1 April 2010.<br />
Find out more at: www.local.communities.gov.uk, www.voa.gov.uk and www.businesslink.gov.uk<br />
Did you Know?<br />
Business Rates, also called non-domestic rates, are collected and paid in<strong>to</strong> a central<br />
pool. These are re-distributed <strong>to</strong> councils based on per head of population.
Environment Agency Levy (Wessex Region)<br />
The Environment Agency (Wessex Region) has powers in respect of flood defence along<br />
2,8<strong>13</strong> km of main rivers and tidal and sea defences. It maintains the river system and<br />
flood defences <strong>to</strong>gether with the operation of a flood warning system. Funding comes<br />
from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and a local levy.<br />
The local levy was £3,167,409 in 2011/12 and is £3,167,000 in <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>. <strong>Bournemouth</strong><br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s share of the levy in <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> is £199,016.<br />
Why the costs have changed<br />
The following table highlights the reasons for the change in the <strong>Council</strong>'s budget:<br />
2011/12 Budget 142.706<br />
Add increased costs of service provision:<br />
Inflation on existing services (excluding schools) 1.567<br />
Removal of short term items from base 0.070<br />
New burdens 1.374<br />
Budget pressures 1.780<br />
This has been offset by:<br />
The <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
budget<br />
Contribution from earmarked reserves (2.252)<br />
Budget reductions and efficiency savings made (5.220)<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> Budget 140.025<br />
11
12<br />
The <strong>Council</strong>’s budget<br />
Proposed capital spend<br />
The <strong>Council</strong> is planning <strong>to</strong> invest over £9 million on ‘capital projects’ during <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>.<br />
Capital spending provides improved corporate or community assets such as equipment,<br />
land and buildings.<br />
Service £m<br />
Corporate Services 0.739<br />
Childrens' Services 4.277<br />
Housing Landlord and Parks 1.427<br />
Planning and Transport 0.400<br />
Technical Services 2.149<br />
Leisure Trust (BH Live) 0.034<br />
Total 9.026<br />
Number of staff<br />
Employees 2011/12 <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
(Full-time equivalent)<br />
Schools 2,083.0 1,325.4<br />
Other 2,384.9 2,151.6<br />
Total 4,467.9 3,477.0<br />
A reduction has resulted because of restructures, staff transfers <strong>to</strong> the Mouchel Partnership and<br />
as a result of a number of schools changing <strong>to</strong> academy status.<br />
Find out more<br />
You can find out more about <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s finance at:<br />
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/accounts, including:<br />
• Budget Books – a look at the budget and spending plans for the coming year<br />
• Statement of Accounts – a look at where money was spent in the last financial year<br />
• Payments <strong>to</strong> suppliers – monthly lists of expenditure over £500.
Dorset Police Authority<br />
Statement by<br />
Michael Taylor CBE<br />
DL, Chairman of<br />
the Dorset Police<br />
Authority<br />
Each year the Police Authority works with<br />
the Chief Constable <strong>to</strong> determine how<br />
much money will be spent on policing in<br />
Dorset for the coming year. Our work<br />
takes in<strong>to</strong> account views expressed by<br />
members of the public through local<br />
consultations and surveys, the national<br />
and local objectives for policing, and the<br />
implications for the <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payer.<br />
Police funding comes from a combination<br />
of national and local taxation. This takes<br />
the form of grants from central<br />
government with the balance met locally<br />
through the policing element of <strong>Council</strong><br />
<strong>Tax</strong> set by the Police Authority.<br />
As a consequence of continuing efforts <strong>to</strong><br />
tackle the national deficit, the Police<br />
Authority has had a significant reduction in<br />
its central government grant and over the<br />
four years <strong>to</strong> 2014/15 this will result in the<br />
need <strong>to</strong> reduce costs by £18 million from<br />
an annual budget of £120 million. The<br />
Authority has already reduced expenditure<br />
by more than £6 million <strong>to</strong>wards this<br />
target, with further cuts of £5 million<br />
planned for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>.<br />
Last year, the Police Authority froze the<br />
policing precept which secured additional<br />
national funding for at least three years.<br />
This year the Government has offered an<br />
additional grant <strong>to</strong> police authorities that<br />
freeze their <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> for a second year,<br />
but have offered the grant for one year<br />
only. In making its decision, the Authority<br />
has sought <strong>to</strong> balance the desire <strong>to</strong> keep<br />
the <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> low while simultaneously<br />
ensuring Dorset Police is adequately<br />
resourced <strong>to</strong> meet the needs of the public,<br />
in the context of reduced national<br />
funding.<br />
After very careful consideration, the<br />
Authority has decided <strong>to</strong> continue <strong>to</strong><br />
freeze the policing precept which will<br />
remain at £180 per year for a Band D<br />
property for a third year in a row which<br />
we anticipate <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payers will<br />
welcome.<br />
We will place a continuing focus on value<br />
for money and maximising efficiency and<br />
productivity <strong>to</strong> protect operational<br />
services wherever possible and this focus<br />
is central <strong>to</strong> our Strategic and Annual<br />
Policing Plan, our Medium Term Financial<br />
Plan and our <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> budget. This is on<br />
<strong>to</strong>p of the significant efficiency savings<br />
that have already been made in recent<br />
years.<br />
In the context of the sharp fall in national<br />
funding for policing, the budget we have<br />
agreed for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> will require us <strong>to</strong><br />
continue <strong>to</strong> make hard choices and <strong>to</strong>ugh<br />
decisions about the future size and shape<br />
of Dorset Police in terms of its staffing,<br />
equipment and buildings. However, the<br />
budget will maintain operational<br />
necessities, as well as supporting the<br />
continuing deployment of Safer<br />
Neighbourhood Teams across the County<br />
which will remain focused on community<br />
priorities.<br />
Notwithstanding the immensely<br />
challenging national financial context, the<br />
Authority’s key focus is for Dorset Police <strong>to</strong><br />
continue <strong>to</strong> provide high quality policing<br />
services and ensure that Dorset remains a<br />
safe place in which <strong>to</strong> live, learn, work<br />
and visit.<br />
<strong>13</strong>
14<br />
Dorset Police Authority<br />
A Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, <strong>to</strong> be elected in November <strong>2012</strong>, will take<br />
over responsibility for setting the annual force budget and the policing precept.<br />
Information about Police and Crime Commissioners is available on the Home Office<br />
website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners<br />
Where the money is spent<br />
Where the money is spent 2011/12 £’000 <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> £’000<br />
Police Authority 710 857<br />
Employees 110,167 106,002<br />
Premises 4,905 4,580<br />
Transport 3,759 4,053<br />
Supplies and services 6,926 7,210<br />
Specialist police support services 9,890 10,889<br />
Capital financing costs 674 675<br />
Gross expenditure <strong>13</strong>7,031 <strong>13</strong>4,266<br />
Income generated by Dorset Police (3,803) (3,602)<br />
Specific government grants (12,415) (12,524)<br />
Transfer from reserves (352) (529)<br />
Budget requirement 120,461 117,611<br />
Police Grant 45,866 42,408<br />
Government Revenue Support Grant 4,965 406<br />
Redistributed non-domestic rates 16,063 20,927<br />
Non-<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> funding 66,894 63,741<br />
Balance <strong>to</strong> be met by <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payers 53,567 53,870<br />
Total funding 120,461 117,611
Dorset Police Authority<br />
How the proportion of costs paid for<br />
by <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> has changed<br />
£’000<br />
Met by <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payers in 2011/<strong>2012</strong> 53,567<br />
Savings, reductions and re-investment (net) (5,887)<br />
Pay and price inflation 2,784<br />
Increase in specific grant income (226)<br />
Revenue effect of new buildings and other prior year capital schemes 239<br />
Contributions <strong>to</strong> regional collaboration <strong>to</strong> increase operational effectiveness 240<br />
Reduction in non <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> funding 3,153<br />
To be met by <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payers in <strong>2012</strong>/20<strong>13</strong> 53,870<br />
Staffing figures<br />
2011/12<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
Police Officers 1,344 1,294<br />
Police Community Support Officers 162 156<br />
Police Staff 914 853<br />
Special Constables / Volunteers 476 412<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Bands To contact the Chief<br />
Executive of the Police<br />
Authority:<br />
Property Type 2011/12 £ <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> £<br />
Band A 120.00 120.00<br />
Band B 140.00 140.00<br />
Band C 160.00 160.00<br />
Band D 180.00 180.00<br />
Band E 220.00 220.00<br />
Band F 260.00 260.00<br />
Band G 300.00 300.00<br />
Band H 360.00 360.00<br />
Tel: 01202 223966<br />
E-mail: council.tax@dorset.pnn.police.uk<br />
or write <strong>to</strong>: Dorset Police Authority,<br />
Force HQ, Dorchester DT2 8DZ<br />
www.dpa.police.uk<br />
For general enquiries, responding <strong>to</strong><br />
witness information appeals or <strong>to</strong> report a<br />
non-urgent crime, contact Dorset Police<br />
on:<br />
101<br />
or visit: www.dorset.police.uk<br />
For the deaf, hard of hearing or speech<br />
impaired use Typetalk 18000<br />
Only dial 999 if life is in danger<br />
or a crime is in progress.<br />
15
16<br />
Dorset Fire Authority<br />
Dorset Fire<br />
Authority statement<br />
from Chairman<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor<br />
Rebecca Knox<br />
Dorset Fire Authority has approved a net<br />
budget of £30.149 million for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>,<br />
with the average Band D <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
remaining at £60.39 for the third year<br />
running. The Authority decided <strong>to</strong> accept a<br />
one off <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Freeze Grant from the<br />
Government, equivalent <strong>to</strong> a 3% increase<br />
in <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>, rather than increase<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> at this stage. This means that<br />
our level of <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> is the lowest of all<br />
our neighbours and remains one of the<br />
lowest of all Combined Fire Authorities<br />
(that is fire authorities outside of<br />
metropolitan areas or those that remain<br />
part of a County <strong>Council</strong>) in England.<br />
The Government has made it clear that<br />
this <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Freeze Grant is a one off<br />
payment and will not continue after<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong>. As a minimum therefore, from<br />
next year, the Authority will have <strong>to</strong> find<br />
savings of £535,000. Any ending of the<br />
grant given <strong>to</strong> freeze <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> in<br />
2011/12 will increase the level of savings<br />
required <strong>to</strong> around £1 million and will<br />
mean that some difficult decisions will<br />
have <strong>to</strong> be made in future years in order<br />
<strong>to</strong> balance the budget. As a result of the<br />
pressures on budgets that all public sec<strong>to</strong>r<br />
bodies have had <strong>to</strong> face, we had already<br />
found annual savings of over £1 million by<br />
significantly reducing costs in back office<br />
(support) functions and in reductions in<br />
our workforce and senior management. We<br />
are now also working with a range of<br />
partners, including neighbouring fire and<br />
rescue services, <strong>to</strong> share services and<br />
reduce costs further. The options open <strong>to</strong><br />
us <strong>to</strong> achieve a further £1 million of<br />
savings without having a direct impact on<br />
frontline service delivery are limited. We<br />
are also aware that there are new and<br />
emerging pressures on us, such as<br />
firefighter training and safety, which will<br />
add further pressure on our budget.<br />
We respond <strong>to</strong> over 8,000 incidents per<br />
year, including road traffic collisions, coresponder<br />
callouts, specialist rescues and<br />
of course fire-related incidents. We have<br />
made significant investment in prevention<br />
activity and now deliver more than 10,000<br />
home safety visits each year. Currently, of<br />
the 40 frontline fire engines we have, 32<br />
(or 33 at night) are crewed by on-call<br />
firefighters, i.e. they are only paid when<br />
they respond <strong>to</strong> an incident. There is one<br />
fire station in Weymouth, which is crewed<br />
with a mixture of wholetime and on-call<br />
firefighters, and in the Poole and<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> area, we have three<br />
wholetime stations and three crewed with<br />
a mixture of wholetime and on-call<br />
firefighters. This means that we have very<br />
few options <strong>to</strong> change the way that these<br />
stations are crewed, and thereby reduce<br />
our costs, without it having a significant<br />
impact on public safety, including slower<br />
response times and the potential loss of<br />
specialist rescue services.<br />
Over the coming months, Elected Members<br />
will be working with officers <strong>to</strong> look at the<br />
options that are available <strong>to</strong> us <strong>to</strong> make<br />
changes <strong>to</strong> service delivery. We anticipate<br />
that the options chosen will be subject <strong>to</strong><br />
public consultation between September<br />
and December <strong>2012</strong>, allowing us <strong>to</strong> begin<br />
implementing any changes from March<br />
20<strong>13</strong> onwards.<br />
Despite the financial issues that we face,<br />
we remain fully committed <strong>to</strong> providing<br />
the residents of Dorset with an exemplary<br />
service, helping <strong>to</strong> make Dorset a safer<br />
place <strong>to</strong> work and live.
Where the money is spent<br />
Dorset Fire Authority<br />
2011/12<br />
£’000<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
£’000<br />
Fire Authority 231 2<strong>13</strong><br />
Employees 20,889 21,512<br />
Ill health pensions 926 957<br />
Premises 1,455 1,540<br />
Transport 1,040 1,089<br />
Equipment and supplies 1,840 1,893<br />
Fees and services 2,477 2,533<br />
Capital financing costs 1,784 1,818<br />
Gross revenue expenditure 30,642 31,555<br />
Income (2,060) (2,786)<br />
Reserves 721 1,380<br />
Net budget requirement 29,303 30,149<br />
Where the money comes from<br />
2011/12<br />
£’000<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
£’000<br />
Government Formula Grant and Business Rates 10,884 11,539<br />
Collection Fund surplus 116 123<br />
Precept (<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payers) 17,855 17,949<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Freeze Grant 448 538<br />
Total funding 29,303 30,149<br />
Why our budget has changed<br />
Budget requirement in<br />
2011/<strong>2012</strong><br />
£’000<br />
29,303<br />
One off items in 2011/12<br />
budget<br />
(928)<br />
Pay and price inflation 414<br />
Contribution <strong>to</strong> reserves 1,343<br />
Other adjustments 18<br />
Savings and reductions (95)<br />
Reduction in investment income 30<br />
Increase in capital financing costs 34<br />
Increase in ill health pensions costs 30<br />
Budget requirement in<br />
<strong>2012</strong>/20<strong>13</strong><br />
30,149<br />
17
18<br />
Dorset Fire Authority<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Bands Staff numbers<br />
Band A 40.26<br />
Band B 46.97<br />
Band C 53.68<br />
Band D 60.39<br />
Band E 73.81<br />
Band F 87.23<br />
Band G 100.65<br />
Band H 120.78<br />
Spending on major capital projects<br />
The <strong>to</strong>tal number of staff employed by<br />
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service as at 31<br />
December 2011 was 819 (764 full time<br />
equivalents), compared <strong>to</strong> equivalent<br />
figures as at 31 December 2010 of 829 (772<br />
full time equivalents).<br />
Our performance<br />
Our performance during 2011/12 is<br />
available on our website from 30 June at<br />
www.dorsetfire.gov.uk or contact us on<br />
0<strong>13</strong>05 252615 for a copy.<br />
For more information:<br />
Contact Ian Cotter on 0<strong>13</strong>05 252697 or<br />
email: finance@dorsetfire.gov.uk<br />
The Authority's capital programme for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> <strong>to</strong>tals £1.15 million and will be entirely<br />
funded from the Fire Capital Grant. Expenditure includes £147,000 on improvements <strong>to</strong><br />
fire stations and other buildings, £444,000 for the vehicle replacement programme and<br />
£264,000 for new or replacement equipment and information systems. We are also<br />
awaiting an announcement from the Department of Communities and Local Government<br />
(DCLG) on our bid for funding in connection with the Networking Fire Control Services<br />
Partnership project. This is a joint project with Devon & Somerset, Hampshire and<br />
Wiltshire Fire Services <strong>to</strong> procure a common Fire Control system.<br />
If you are an older person or<br />
someone who is vulnerable why not<br />
have a free home safety check?<br />
Call us on 0<strong>13</strong>05 252600 <strong>to</strong> find<br />
out more.<br />
Dorset Fire & Rescue Service<br />
For general enquiries, contact us on:<br />
0<strong>13</strong>05 252600
Your <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill explained<br />
Your <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill shows the <strong>to</strong>tal charge<br />
for <strong>your</strong> property, including the charges made<br />
by Dorset Police Authority, Dorset Fire<br />
Authority and <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> valuation bands<br />
Most homes (whether rented or owned, lived<br />
in or not) will be subject <strong>to</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>.<br />
There is one bill per dwelling. Each property<br />
has been placed in<strong>to</strong> one of eight bands by<br />
the Listing Officer of the Valuation Office<br />
Agency according <strong>to</strong> its open market capital<br />
value at 1 April 1991.<br />
The valuation band for <strong>your</strong> property is<br />
shown on <strong>your</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill. You may look<br />
at any property’s valuation band by visiting<br />
www.voa.gov.uk<br />
Valuation Band Range of Values<br />
H More than £320,000<br />
G £160,001-£320,000<br />
F £120,001 –£160,000<br />
E £88,001 –£120,000<br />
D £68,001- £88,000<br />
C £52,001 – £68,000<br />
B £40,001 – £52,000<br />
A Up <strong>to</strong> and including<br />
£40,000<br />
Appeals <strong>to</strong> the Valuation<br />
Office Agency<br />
The grounds for appeal against <strong>your</strong><br />
property’s valuation band are:<br />
• You become the <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> payer in<br />
respect of a property for the first time –<br />
<strong>your</strong> appeal must be made within six<br />
months of taking possession.<br />
• You believe there has been a material<br />
reduction in the dwelling’s value – for<br />
example part of it has been demolished.<br />
• The Listing Officer has altered the band –<br />
this may occur following a sale if the<br />
previous owner had added an extension.<br />
• You start or s<strong>to</strong>p using <strong>your</strong> property <strong>to</strong><br />
carry out a business or the balance<br />
between domestic and business use<br />
changes.<br />
Any appeal against the banding should be<br />
made in writing <strong>to</strong>: Listing Officer,<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> West, Valuation Office Agency,<br />
Overline House, Blechynden Terrace,<br />
Southamp<strong>to</strong>n, SO15 1GW.<br />
Telephone enquiries: 03000 501501<br />
Email: ctwest@voa.gsi.gov.uk<br />
Website: www.voa.gov.uk<br />
Making an appeal does not allow you <strong>to</strong><br />
withhold payment or part payment of <strong>Council</strong><br />
<strong>Tax</strong>. If <strong>your</strong> appeal is successful you will be<br />
entitled <strong>to</strong> a refund of overpayment.<br />
Discounts<br />
A full <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill assumes that there are<br />
two or more adults living in a property. If you<br />
are the only adult living in <strong>your</strong> property you<br />
will be entitled <strong>to</strong> a 25% discount.<br />
The people listed below may be disregarded<br />
when counting the number of adult residents.<br />
The categories are shortened versions of the<br />
actual regulations and are given for guidance<br />
only:<br />
• prisoners<br />
• certain full-time students and student<br />
nurses<br />
• certain students’ non-British partner or<br />
dependant<br />
• apprentices<br />
• youth training trainees<br />
• foreign diplomats<br />
• school leavers<br />
• residents aged 18 or 19 for whom Child<br />
Benefit is payable<br />
19
20<br />
Your <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill explained<br />
• patients living permanently in hospital<br />
• patients living permanently in a care home<br />
• certain care workers or carers<br />
• members of religious communities<br />
• hostel residents<br />
• members of visiting forces<br />
• severely mentally impaired.<br />
If all of the adults living in <strong>your</strong> property are<br />
disregarded, a discount of 50% will apply. If<br />
all but one of the adults living in <strong>your</strong><br />
property is disregarded, a discount of 25%<br />
will apply.<br />
Second homes<br />
Second homes are defined as furnished<br />
properties which are not anyone’s sole or<br />
main residence. There are two categories of<br />
second homes:<br />
Class A – where occupation is restricted by a<br />
planning condition preventing occupancy for<br />
a continuous period of at least 28 days in the<br />
relevant year.<br />
Class B – where occupation is not restricted<br />
by a planning condition.<br />
The <strong>Council</strong> has decided <strong>to</strong> award a discount<br />
of 10% on Class A and Class B empty<br />
properties.<br />
Certain types of empty property (listed<br />
below) are excluded from Class A and Class B<br />
and a 50% discount will apply.<br />
These include:<br />
• pitch occupied by a caravan<br />
• mooring occupied by a boat<br />
• second home where the liable person is<br />
living elsewhere in accommodation<br />
provided by reason of his employment<br />
• second home provided <strong>to</strong> the liable<br />
person by reason of his employment<br />
• second homes owned by service personnel<br />
who live in accommodation provided by<br />
the Ministry of Defence.<br />
The <strong>Council</strong> has also decided that a 50%<br />
discount will apply <strong>to</strong> beach chalets at<br />
Mudeford Sandspit and Hengistbury Head.<br />
Please contact the <strong>Council</strong> if you think you<br />
may be entitled <strong>to</strong> a discount which isn’t<br />
currently shown on <strong>your</strong> bill. If <strong>your</strong> bill<br />
shows that a discount has been awarded you<br />
must tell the <strong>Council</strong> within 21 days of any<br />
change of circumstances that may affect <strong>your</strong><br />
entitlement. If you don’t you risk a penalty<br />
as well as a back-dated bill.<br />
Long-term empty homes<br />
Long-term empty homes are defined as<br />
properties that are unoccupied and<br />
substantially unfurnished. In most cases an<br />
exemption will have been applied before a<br />
dwelling is charged as a long-term empty<br />
home. The <strong>Council</strong> charges full <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
on long-term empty properties.<br />
Reductions for people with<br />
disabilities<br />
If someone who lives in <strong>your</strong> property needs<br />
an extra room (which could include a<br />
bathroom or kitchen) because of a<br />
permanent disability, or requires space for<br />
the use of a wheelchair indoors, you may be<br />
entitled <strong>to</strong> a reduced <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill.<br />
A reduced bill will be calculated as if <strong>your</strong><br />
property had been placed in a band<br />
immediately below the one shown in the<br />
valuation list. People living in a Band A<br />
property may also be entitled <strong>to</strong> a reduced<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill, which will be calculated as a<br />
reduction of one ninth of the Band D<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>.<br />
If a reduction for disability has been<br />
awarded, it will be shown on <strong>your</strong> bill. If you<br />
haven’t been awarded a reduction but think<br />
you may be entitled <strong>to</strong> one, please contact<br />
the <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
If <strong>your</strong> property has any special features<br />
added for a disabled resident which reduce<br />
the value of the property, not taken in<strong>to</strong><br />
account in the valuation band, you should<br />
contact the Listing Officer (see notes<br />
regarding Appeals <strong>to</strong> the Valuation Office<br />
Agency on page 19).
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit<br />
If you are liable <strong>to</strong> pay <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> you may<br />
apply for <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit <strong>to</strong> reduce <strong>your</strong><br />
bill. The amount of Benefit awarded will<br />
depend on <strong>your</strong> household and financial<br />
circumstances. If you do not qualify for<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit, you may still qualify for<br />
a second adult rebate if other adults living in<br />
<strong>your</strong> property are on low incomes.<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit is not awarded <strong>to</strong> you<br />
au<strong>to</strong>matically – you must claim it.<br />
Contact the Benefits section immediately <strong>to</strong><br />
apply if you think you may qualify.<br />
You must not withhold payment or part<br />
payment of <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> while awaiting the<br />
outcome of <strong>your</strong> application.<br />
Any <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> Benefit awarded is shown on<br />
<strong>your</strong> bill. You must tell the <strong>Council</strong><br />
immediately of any change in <strong>your</strong><br />
circumstances that may affect <strong>your</strong><br />
entitlement.<br />
Exempt properties<br />
Some properties are exempt from <strong>Council</strong><br />
<strong>Tax</strong>. The classes of exempt property are:<br />
A unoccupied/unfurnished properties<br />
requiring major repair works <strong>to</strong> render<br />
them habitable or undergoing structural<br />
alteration. (Exempt for up <strong>to</strong> 12 months or<br />
six months following substantial<br />
completion of the works, if sooner)<br />
B unoccupied properties owned by charities<br />
(exempt for up <strong>to</strong> six months)<br />
C properties left unoccupied and<br />
unfurnished (exempt for up <strong>to</strong> six months)<br />
D properties left unoccupied by prisoners<br />
E properties left unoccupied by patients<br />
staying long term in hospitals and care<br />
homes<br />
F properties where probate or letters of<br />
administration are waiting <strong>to</strong> be granted<br />
(and for up <strong>to</strong> six months after)<br />
G properties where occupation is prohibited<br />
by law<br />
H unoccupied clergy properties<br />
I properties left unoccupied by people<br />
moving permanently <strong>to</strong> receive personal<br />
care from another<br />
J properties left unoccupied by people<br />
moving permanently <strong>to</strong> provide personal<br />
care <strong>to</strong> another<br />
K properties left unoccupied by students<br />
L repossessed properties<br />
M halls of residence<br />
N properties occupied solely by students or<br />
school leavers<br />
O armed forces accommodation, i.e.<br />
barracks<br />
P properties occupied by members of visiting<br />
forces<br />
Q properties left unoccupied by bankrupts<br />
R unoccupied caravan pitches and houseboat<br />
moorings<br />
S properties occupied only by person(s)<br />
under 18<br />
T unoccupied annexes which form part of a<br />
single property and may not be let<br />
separately without a breach of planning<br />
consent<br />
U properties occupied only by person(s) who<br />
are severely mentally impaired who would<br />
otherwise be liable<br />
V properties where at least one person who<br />
would otherwise be liable is a diplomat<br />
W annexes and similar accommodation<br />
occupied by a dependent relative.<br />
These are shortened versions of the actual<br />
regulations and are given for guidance only.<br />
The actual definitions are contained in the<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992,<br />
as amended.<br />
21
22<br />
Your <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> bill explained<br />
Appeals <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Council</strong><br />
You may appeal <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Council</strong> if you consider<br />
that:<br />
• you are not liable <strong>to</strong> pay the <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
• <strong>your</strong> property should be exempt<br />
• the amount shown on <strong>your</strong> bill has been<br />
calculated incorrectly – for example, <strong>your</strong><br />
entitlement <strong>to</strong> a discount is not shown.<br />
Any appeal should initially be made in writing<br />
<strong>to</strong> the <strong>Council</strong>. Should you remain dissatisfied<br />
you will have a further right of appeal <strong>to</strong> the<br />
Valuation Tribunal within two months of<br />
being notified of our decision (or two months<br />
from <strong>your</strong> initial appeal if no decision is<br />
made within that time).<br />
Making an appeal does not allow you <strong>to</strong><br />
withhold payment or part payment of the<br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>. If <strong>your</strong> appeal is successful you<br />
will be entitled <strong>to</strong> a refund of any<br />
overpayment.<br />
Housing Benefit<br />
Housing Benefit is <strong>to</strong> help those on a low<br />
income <strong>to</strong> pay their rent <strong>to</strong> their landlord.<br />
The amount of benefit awarded will depend<br />
on <strong>your</strong> household and financial<br />
circumstances.<br />
Housing Benefit is not awarded <strong>to</strong> you<br />
au<strong>to</strong>matically – you must claim it. Contact<br />
the Benefits section immediately <strong>to</strong> apply if<br />
you think you may qualify.<br />
If you currently receive Housing Benefit you<br />
must tell the <strong>Council</strong> immediately of any<br />
change in circumstances which may affect<br />
<strong>your</strong> entitlement.<br />
Security against fraud and error<br />
Benefit money is public money and it’s our<br />
responsibility <strong>to</strong> look after it. We want <strong>to</strong><br />
make sure that all those who are entitled <strong>to</strong><br />
benefit receive it and we want <strong>to</strong> ensure it is<br />
not paid out as a result of fraud or error.<br />
Help us <strong>to</strong> look after <strong>your</strong> money. If you know<br />
someone who is abusing the system tell us so<br />
we can do something about it. Call our<br />
confidential fraud line on 01202 451536.<br />
Data Protection<br />
Your personal information will be<br />
held and used in accordance with<br />
the requirements of the Data<br />
Prot Protection Act 1998.<br />
We will use the information you have<br />
provided in connection with the<br />
administration of <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>. We may<br />
lawfully disclose information <strong>to</strong> other public<br />
sec<strong>to</strong>r agencies <strong>to</strong>:<br />
• prevent or detect benefits fraud and any<br />
other crime<br />
• <strong>to</strong> support national fraud initiatives – we<br />
are required by law <strong>to</strong> participate in<br />
National Fraud Initiative (NFI) data<br />
matching exercises. <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong><br />
information may be provided <strong>to</strong> the Audit<br />
Commission for NFI purposes and will be<br />
used for cross-system and cross authority<br />
comparison for the prevention and<br />
detection of fraud<br />
• <strong>to</strong> protect public funds.<br />
We also use basic <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> information<br />
about you, e.g. name and address, in other<br />
areas of service provision if this:<br />
• helps you <strong>to</strong> access our services more<br />
easily<br />
• promotes the more efficient and costeffective<br />
delivery of services<br />
• helps us <strong>to</strong> recover monies that you<br />
owe us.<br />
We will not use <strong>your</strong> personal information in<br />
a way that may cause you unwarranted<br />
detriment. You are able <strong>to</strong> see a copy of the<br />
information held about you. For further<br />
information about this please ask for a copy<br />
of the <strong>Council</strong>’s data protection leaflet or<br />
visit the <strong>Council</strong>’s website at:<br />
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/dataprotection
$<br />
Alternative Format Request<br />
A summary of this leaflet<br />
can also be provided in<br />
large print and in audio<br />
format. Please tick the box<br />
and fill in <strong>your</strong> details<br />
below if you require one:<br />
� Large print<br />
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Detach page and send in an envelope <strong>to</strong>:<br />
Corporate Communications<br />
<strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>,<br />
FREEPOST BH536,<br />
Town Hall, <strong>Bournemouth</strong>, BH2 6BR<br />
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Keep up-<strong>to</strong>-date with<br />
<strong>your</strong> local magazine<br />
BH Life magazine is delivered<br />
<strong>to</strong> homes in <strong>Bournemouth</strong><br />
four times a year. It contains news about <strong>your</strong><br />
services, the <strong>to</strong>wn and information about<br />
local events.<br />
If you do not receive a copy <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong> home we<br />
want <strong>to</strong> know. Please tick the box and fill in<br />
<strong>your</strong> details below or email us at:<br />
bhlife@bournemouth.gov.uk<br />
Why not view the magazine online? Visit:<br />
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/bhlife<br />
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This information is about <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> and spending on local services. If you would like a<br />
summary in <strong>your</strong> language please tick the box, fill in <strong>your</strong> details and return this page <strong>to</strong> the<br />
freepost address provided.<br />
23
Easy ways <strong>to</strong> pay <strong>your</strong> bills<br />
There are a number of ways you can easily pay <strong>your</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> and Business Rate bill.<br />
Over 50,000 people already choose the quickest,<br />
easiest and cheapest way <strong>to</strong> pay. You can now pay on<br />
the 1st, 8th*, 15th or 22nd* of each month and by up<br />
<strong>to</strong> 12 instalments*.<br />
(*only available if you pay by Direct Debit)<br />
Phone now on 01202 451597 and we can set this up for you straight<br />
away or visit our website where you can find the form <strong>to</strong> print, fill in<br />
%Other<br />
and return <strong>to</strong> us. Alternatively, use the form on the back of <strong>your</strong> bill.<br />
ways that you can pay include:<br />
• Online at: www.bournemouth.gov.uk<br />
• Your internet or telebanking service<br />
• Phone our au<strong>to</strong>mated payment system on 01202 454748, which is available 24/7<br />
• In person at a bank or the Post Office<br />
• By post <strong>to</strong> <strong>Bournemouth</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, Town Hall, <strong>Bournemouth</strong>, BH2 6EB<br />
Choose the best option for you and please remember:<br />
• Always quote <strong>your</strong> reference number from the front of <strong>your</strong> bill<br />
• Post Offices and some banks may charge a handling fee<br />
• You may have <strong>to</strong> pay a fee if you pay by credit card.<br />
Do you need help with <strong>your</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong> and rent?<br />
Don’t forget, if <strong>your</strong> income is low or you<br />
receive certain benefits you might be able<br />
<strong>to</strong> get help with <strong>your</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Tax</strong>, rent or<br />
both. If you think you might qualify for<br />
help, please make an application for<br />
benefit as soon as you can.<br />
Benefit application forms are<br />
available from:<br />
• Web: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/benefits<br />
• Email: benefits@bournemouth.gov.uk<br />
• Telephone: 01202 451592<br />
• Minicom: 01202 454728<br />
Turn <strong>to</strong> page 21 for more details.<br />
Other benefits: You can get application forms and more information about<br />
other benefits from: www.direct.gov.uk<br />
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