Council tax 2015/16 How we pay for local services
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2015/16
Council tax
How we pay for local services
Incorporating council tax information for
Luton Borough Council, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue
Service and Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Useful contacts
Luton Borough Council Department for Work
www.luton.gov.uk and Pensions
email: revenues@luton.gov.uk www.dwp.gov.uk
Tel: 0300 790 0340 Tel: 0800 055 6688
Fax: 01582 546977
Text/minicom: 01582 414367 Valuation Office Agency
Phone lines open 9am-5pm Council tax valuation bandings
weekdays (10am Wed) and appealing them
www.voa.gov.uk
Visit us at:
email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Customer Service Centre
Write to: Council Tax East
Town Hall
Valuation Office Agency
Upper George Street
Ground Floor
Luton
Ferrers House
Bedfordshire LU1 2BQ
Castle Meadow Road
Nottingham NG2 1AB
Benefits Tel: 03000 501501
Housing benefit and council tax
Fax: 03000 506599
support
www.luton.gov.uk/Benefits
email: revenues@luton.gov.uk
Valuation Tribunal
If you have appealed to the Council
Tel: 0300 790 0345 (open 24/7)
about your bill and disagree with
our decision, you can appeal to this
Council Tax
independent organisation:
Paying by phone
www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk
0300 456 2725 (open 24/7)
email: vtdoncaster@vts.gsi.gov.uk
Information about your council tax
Tel: 01302 342324
and discounts and exemptions
Fax: 01302 321447
www.luton.gov.uk/Counciltax
Write to: Hepworth House
email: revenues@luton.gov.uk
2 Trafford Court
Tel: 0300 790 0340 (open 24/7)
Doncaster DN1 1PN
Direct debit setup for
council tax
www.luton.gov.uk/counciltaxdd
Tel: 0300 790 0340 (open 24/7)
2
Introduction
This booklet explains how we work out your council tax and where the
money goes. It also sets out easy ways to pay, as well as details of how
you could qualify for a discount.
Many people are entitled to claim council tax support (previously
called council tax benefit), even if they are in full time work. For more
information, please contact us (see page 2 for details).
This booklet is on our website to save the considerable cost of printing
and delivery. You can easily download and print it if you need a hard copy.
What is council tax?
Council tax is the way people pay Based on property values set by
for local services such as education, the Inland Revenue’s valuation
refuse collection, libraries and care office in 1991, the amount of
for the elderly. This year, a band tax you pay makes a contribution
D council taxpayer in Luton will towards the cost of local services
be charged £1513.95. Of this, but most of the cost is paid by
£1243.38 goes to the council, Central Government.
£181.35 to the police and
£89.22 to the fire authority.
3
Important information if you pay your council tax by standing order or bank transfer We have changed our bank The banking system will not change standing order or bank transfer details automatically. If you pay your council tax by standing order or bank transfer you will need to change your payment details to our new bank: account name: Luton Borough Council – General Account sort code: 30 66 76 account number: 17 25 68 62 If you fail to inform your bank, we will not receive your payment and will pursue you for the outstanding sum. Ways to pay your council tax Direct debit The easiest and most convenient way to pay. Switch to Direct Debit online at www.luton.gov.uk/counciltaxdd or by phoning us on 0300 790 0340. Bank transfer Pay online through your own bank’s website. You will need to quote your council tax account number.Our bank account bank details are: Lloyds Bank sort code: 30 66 76 account number: 17 25 68 62 Online or telephone Please visit our website www.luton.gov.uk/payonline or call our 24 hour payment line on 0300 456 2725 and follow the instructions. Telephone banking You need to sign up with your bank to pay your bills by this method. You can make payment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week simply by quoting our bank sort code: 30 66 76 account number 17 25 68 62 and your council tax account number. 4
Payment kiosk
Pay by cash, debit/credit card or cheque at our payment kiosk located
in the Customer Service Centre. Access is available Monday to Friday
between 8.30am and 5.30pm. A receipt and change are provided.
You will need to quote your council tax account number.
Post Office or pay point
You can pay at your local post office by cash, cheque or debit card
- credit cards are not accepted - or by cash only at newsagents and
convenience stores that display the pay point sign. Please take your
payment card with you.
Post
Make your cheques payable to Luton Borough Council and don’t
forget to write your council tax account number on the back, then
please send it to:
Revenues, Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, George Street, Luton
LU1 2BQ
Remember:
l ensure you have your council tax reference available when making
payments
l if you pay your council tax by cash or credit/debit card, your
instalments are due on 1st of each month (unless you have
specifically requested an alternative day); you must ensure
these payments are received on or before the due date
l if you pay by cheque, you should allow six extra days.
Council tax is now payable in a maximum of 12 monthly instalments.
The default number of instalments is still 10. If you wish to move from
your current 10 monthly instalments to 12 please contact us before
the 15th April by emailing revenues@luton.gov.uk. Payment usually
starts in April and ends in January for 10 instalments, or March for
12 instalments. The amount you have to pay, and when, is shown
on your bill.
If you provide the Council with your mobile telephone number we can
send you an SMS reminder if you miss a payment. This may help you to
avoid costs as a result of recovery action automatically triggered if you
are late in paying your bill.
5Sign up to MyAccount Regular users of the council’s website will know there are lots of ways to find information and get things done. We are developing a great new system, MyAccount, that lets you do all this and more from your computer, tablet or smartphone. One big improvement is entering details like your name and address just once, which makes everything easier and faster. Just give us your name, address, email and that’s it. This information is kept safe and secure and won’t be passed to anyone else. With MyAccount you can report problems, order services, check your council tax, make payments and claim benefits – all at a few clicks of a button. Some of these facilities are available now and others will be rolling out shortly. Why not sign up today at: www.luton.gov.uk/myaccount. Paperless billing You can receive your bills by email rather than through the post. To sign up please register at: www.luton.gov.uk/ebilling. 6
Who has to pay?
To work out who is responsible for your home, look down the list below
until you come to the category of resident that applies to you.
1. Owner of the property (who owns the freehold).
2. Person who owns the lease.
3. Tenant (including council tenants).
4. Someone who has a licence to live in the property.
5. Someone who just lives there.
If no adults live in the property as their main home, the owner or person
entitled to possession is responsible for paying the council tax bill.
In some special cases, (including houses in multiple occupation such
as bedsits), it is the owner who is responsible for paying the council tax
and not the residents.
A resident is a person aged 18 years or over who lives in the dwelling as
their only or main home.
Joint owners or tenants are jointly liable for one council tax bill for the
dwelling. Husbands and wives and civil partners of liable people are also
jointly responsible for paying the bill.
What if you do not pay?
If you fail to pay or pay late, you will lose your right to pay by
instalments and have to pay the outstanding balance in full immediately.
You will receive a reminder and ultimately you could receive a court
summons and have to pay costs.
Your case could then be referred to enforcement agents for collection.
You could also be made bankrupt and lose your home, or even be jailed
for up to 90 days.
So, please let us know straightaway if you are having difficulty paying
your council tax. We will do our very best to help and advice. Email us
at revenues@luton.gov.uk or call us on 0300 790 0340.
7Council tax discounts You may be entitled to a discount on your council tax bill if you, or someone in your household, falls into one of these categories: l students, apprentices, YTS trainees, student nurses and foreign language assistants l people under 20 who are on, or have just completed, a qualifying course of further education l young people for whom child benefit is still payable l people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 l severely mentally impaired people l live-in workers on low pay, such as community service volunteers l patients usually resident in hospital, residential care homes, nursing homes or hostels providing a high level of care l residents of certain hostels or night shelters l prisoners, convicted or on remand, except where imprisonment is for non-payment of fines or council tax. Changes to discounts and premiums Under the Local Government Finance Act 2012, Luton does not offer: l discount on second homes (property that is nobody’s sole or main residence and is furnished) l exemption on an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property (used to be up to 6 months payment exemption) l exemption on an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property requiring or undergoing structural alterations or major repair works to make it habitable (used to be up to 12 months payment exemption) l second adult rebate if you have another adult living with you, such as an elderly relative on a low income or getting income support, or someone on jobseeker’s allowance (income based) not paying rent to you and not paying council tax themselves. 8
Reductions for people with disabilities
If you or anyone who lives with you is disabled, you may be entitled to
reduced council tax if:
l your home has an extra bathroom or kitchen that is essential or of
major importance to the disabled person’s well being
l your home has a room (not a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory)
specifically used or adapted for the disabled person, which is
essential or of major importance to the disabled person’s well being
l if a wheelchair is used inside the home and it is essential or of major
importance to the disabled person’s well being.
You can still apply even if your home is in the lowest banding (band A).
To claim, please go to www.luton.gov.uk/Council_tax/discount/
If you care for someone with a disability who is not your spouse, partner,
or a child under 18, you may be entitled to be ‘disregarded’ for council tax.
Council tax: empty homes
Any homes that have been empty and unfurnished for more than two
years will be charged one and a half times their normal council tax rate.
Discount for annexes
The Government wishes to support extended families living together
(ie children saving for a new home or elderly parents). If parts of a
home are constructed or adapted for separate occupation and separately
banded for council tax as an annex, a 50 per cent discount can be
awarded. If you think this discount applies to you please contact us
(see the contact details shown at the start of this booklet).
9Council tax exemptions You don’t have to pay council tax on a property if it falls into any of the following exemption categories. If your bill has an exemption code printed on it, you must tell us if you think the exemption is incorrect. If you have not been granted an exemption but think you may be entitled to one, please let us know. Class B Owned by charity and unoccupied. Exempt for up to six months. Class D Unoccupied because the owner or tenant is in prison. Class E Unoccupied because the owner or tenant now lives in a hospital or care home. Class F Unoccupied after a death. Exempt for up to six months after grant of probate. Class G Unoccupied because occupation is forbidden by law. Class H Unoccupied and is being held for occupation by a minister of religion. Class I Unoccupied as the person has moved to receive personal care elsewhere. Class J Unoccupied as persons have moved to provide personal care elsewhere. Class K Unoccupied properties owned and last used by a student. Class L Unoccupied properties that have been repossessed by the mortgage lender. Class M Student hall of residence. Class N Properties only occupied by students. Class O UK armed forces accommodation. Class P Occupied by a member of visiting force. Class Q Unoccupied property that is the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee. Class R Unoccupied caravan pitch or boat mooring. Class S All occupiers under 18 years of age. Class T Unoccupied granny flat or annex which cannot be let out separately. Class U All occupiers are severely mentally impaired. Class V Main residence of a person with diplomatic privilege or immunity. Class W Granny flat or annex that is occupied by a dependant relative. 10
Getting help with your bill
Council tax support for working age claimants
This is the local scheme that replaced council tax benefit from 1st April
2013 (pensioners are protected).
Council Tax Support helps those on a low income, even if they are
working, by providing a discount on their council tax liability.
If you receive Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based)
or Employment Support Allowance (income related), claiming Council
Tax Support will result in maximum Council Tax Support, unless you
have another adult living in the property who is not your partner.
People who are joint owners or joint tenants, who are neither married
nor living together as if they were married, may all be liable for Council
Tax. If you are on a low income you can claim Council Tax Support for
your share of the bill.
Council Tax support for pension age claimants
There is protection from any changes for those of pension age. Those
receiving guaranteed pension credit will receive the maximum council
tax support.
Disagree with our decision?
If you think our decision is wrong you can ask us to look at it again.
Your request needs to be made in writing and include the reasons why
you think our decision is wrong plus any additional evidence you want
to be taken into account. There is no time limit for asking us to look at a
decision again.
If we decide that our original decision was correct, you have the right to
appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal Service who are independent of
the Council.
Council Tax support appeals
If you believe our decision is wrong you have a right of appeal to the
Valuation Tribunal Service.
You can appeal against the:
11l amount of council tax support we have granted you
l information we have used to calculate your council tax support.
You cannot appeal against any of the rules of the Council's council tax
support scheme itself;
Before you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, you must write to us
first, asking us to look at our original decision. You can only appeal
to the Valuation Tribunal once we have considered our decision and
decided that it is correct.
If you appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal without first asking us
to look at the original decision again, the appeal will not be accepted or
considered.
If we have decided our original decision is correct, you then have two
months in which to appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal.
If we don't respond to your request to look at the original decision again
within two months, you can appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal.
In these circumstances the appeal must be made within four months of
the original decision that you think is incorrect.
Please note you must continue to pay your council tax while awaiting
the result of an appeal hearing.
Help with your rent: housing benefit
If you are on a low wage or receive certain benefits, you may get help
with your rent through housing benefit. You can apply for council tax
support at the same time. We will also treat it as a claim for free
school meals unless you tell us otherwise. Please see
www.luton.gov.uk/benefits for more details.
12Claim housing benefit today
For more details on getting help with your bill or an application form
for council tax support and/or housing benefit see www.luton.gov.
uk/benefits or email revenues@luton.gov.uk or call us on 0300 790
0345.
Help us fight fraud
If you think someone is claiming benefit fraudulently, you can report it
online at www.luton.gov.uk/fraud email fraud@luton.gov.uk, or contact
the benefit fraud hotline on 0500 500 777, which is a 24 hour free
phone service. Any information provided will be treated in strictest
confidence.
Moving home?
Please remember to tell us if you move home. You can either
complete the online form at www.luton.gov.uk/benefits or email us
at revenues@luton.gov.uk or call us on 0300 790 0340.
Let us know immediately about any changes in your circumstances,
particularly if you are claiming council tax support or any other discount
or a tax exemption
You must also tell us if you have been given a discount to which you
are not entitled.
We rely on accurate information from council tax payers to make the
system work. If you knowingly provide inaccurate information or refuse
to supply details we need, you could be liable for a penalty of up to £70
and/or risk prosecution.
13How to request a review of your bill
If you disagree with our decision about the bill or your responsibility
to pay council tax, please write to us giving the reasons why you think
your bill is wrong.
You can ask for a review of the decision if you think:
l we are sending bills to the wrong person for your home
l your home should be exempt from council tax
l the amount of the bill is wrong, for example if you think you're
entitled to a discount or a reduction
l we haven't reduced the bill for a disability.
Appeals to the Valuation Tribunal
If you asked for a review of your bill and do not receive a reply within
two months, or you receive a reply within two months and you still
disagree with the Council's decision, you have further two months in
which to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. (Contact details can be
found at the front of this booklet).
You cannot appeal if your only reason for doing so is that you do not
agree with the Council’s local council tax support scheme.
Disagree with the banding of your property?
Your property has been allocated to one of eight bands by the Inland
Revenue’s Valuation Office on the basis of its open market value on
1 April 1991.
Each valuation band pays a different amount of council tax.
If you think the property has been placed in the wrong band you may be
able to appeal by:
l asking the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to check it
l making a formal challenge to the VOA – you can only do this in
certain circumstances; for example, if your property has changed
significantly since it was valued.
14Council tax budget 2015/16
Expenditure and income
For many years, Luton Borough Council has kept its tax the lowest in
Bedfordshire and the tax rate remains below the average of other unitary
councils. It has kept costs down with a range of money-saving and
income-generating ideas.
Property Capital values (£) No. of Council tax
band as at 1 Apr 1991 properties (£)
A with disability relief 0 to 40,000 13 841.08
A 0 to 40,000 16,533 1,009.30
B 40,001 to 52,000 25,751 1,177.51
C 52,001 to 68,000 21,507 1,345.74
D 68,001 to 88,000 7,528 1,513.95
E 88,001 to 120,000 3,340 1,850.39
F 120,001 to 160,000 1,035 2,186.81
G 160,001 to 320,000 255 2,523.25
H more than 320,000 21 3,027.90
Tax base band D equivalents: 46,635 Total: 75,983
(44,455 2014/15)
For 2015/16 the Council has been able to set a balanced budget while
continuing to protect vital services. £8.7 million of growth has been
prioritised into key services which include £5.2 million for adults and
older person’s social care and £1.3 million for children’s education and
family support.
15Council tax budget 2015/16
Expenditure reductions have been found across a wide range of services
as shown below.
43 per cent of the Council’s overall budget is for education and children’s
services, 26 per cent is for housing and 14 per cent for adult social care.
The major changes in net spending this year compared to 2014/15 are
outlined in the table below
£million
Growth – unavoidable increased spend on services 8.7
Price inflation and employee costs 2.6
Contributions to reserves to meet future pressures 0.7
Revenue effect of capital programme 1.8
Reduced contingency and reorganisation costs -0.2
Social care funding to support increased costs -3.2
Reductions in expenditure and increases in income -14.3
required to balance the budget with available resources
Net change in spend -3.9
Loan debt: it is estimated that loan debt at 31 March 2015 will
be £295.4 million (£293.2 million at 31 March 2014)
Savings and increased income
The Council has made more budget reductions through savings and
increased income on top of those made in the previous year in order to
balance its 2015/16 budget.
In the 2014/15 budget, savings totalled £18.2million and for 2015/16
there is a further £14.3 million. For 2014/15 the total is a further £18.2
million. Savings have been sought in every area of the Council's activities
and extensive consultation has taken place on many savings proposals.
Over 90 per cent of the budget reductions are not expected to impact on
current service levels but it has not been possible to shield all public facing
services from savings.
16Budget expenditure and income 2015/16
2015/16 2014/15
Expenditure per band D Expenditure per band D
£000 property £000 property
£ £
Gross cost of services 517,694 509,058
Less income -379,790 -366,644
Net cost of services 137,904 142,414
Contingencies 3,156 3,368
Appropriation to/from 2,732 1,973
earmarked reserve
Total net expenditure 143,792 3,083.33 147,755 3,323.68
Contribution to/from(-) -5,171 -110.87 -697 -15.67
collection fund
Revenue Support Grant -37,352 -800.94 -52,127 -1,172.58
Collection Fund Business -32,533 -679.60 -29,923 -673.11
Rates
Business Rates Top Up -10,751 -230.54 -10,550 -237.32
Luton Borough Council 57,985 1,243.38 54,458 1,225.00
Bedfordshire Police 8,457 181.35 6,959 156.55
Authority precept
Beds Fire Authority 4,160 89.22 3,889 87.48
precept
Council tax 1,513.95 1,469.03
17Balances and reserves 2015/16
Actual Estimated Estimated
31.3.2014 31.3.2015 31.3.2016
General fund £m £m £m
General 9.6 11.6 14.0
Specific risk management 3.0 3.0 3.0
Butterfield profit share 0.7 0.9 0.9
Invest to save 3.5 3.5 3.7
Planning 0.2 0.2 0.2
Welfare reform and
recession reserve 1.6 1.5 1.4
Reorganisation 5.6 5.6 4.8
Service provision 4.8 1.1 1.0
Pensions reserve 3.0 3.0 3.0
Major projects 15.0 8.4 8.4
Public health 0.6 0.2 0.2
Investment 2.2 2.1 0.6
Insurance 2.1 1.8 1.8
Housing revenue account
General 10.2 3.3 1.4
Capital 1.2 0.3 1.1
Reserves provide a general working balance for the general fund and
housing revenue account. They are also used to pay for future capital
projects and to provide for any fluctuations in income from grants, rents
and charges.
18Where the money goes 2015/16
2015/16 2014/15
Service expenditure expenditure
£m £m
Education and 232.64 242.70 43%
children’s services
Housing services 143.31 140.01 26%
Adult social care 74.32 70.09 14%
Cultural, 34.43 33.45 6%
environment
and planning services
Highways, roads and 23.41 26.20 4%
transport services
Public health 15.56 13.22 3%
Central services 15.26 12.78 3%
Other costs 5.89 5.34 1%
Service expenditure 544.82 543.89
Capital financing -21.24 -29.39
TOTAL 523.58 514.50
Note:
Gross expenditure on services for 2015/16 is budgeted at £9m more
than 2014/15, reflecting increases in the budgets for schools, adult
social care, public health and housing services. Core grant support from
Government has reduced again in 2015/16, but the Council is continuing
to lessen the effect of this on public facing services by developing
alternative sources of income.
19Capital expenditure 2015/16
Service 2015/16
expenditure £m
Highways 15.17 18%
Investment in schools 15.00 18%
Housing (public sector) 28.95 35%
Investment in public buildings 8.60 10%
Housing (private sector) 2.05 3%
Vehicles and plant 5.49 7%
Social services 4.20 5%
Other 2.92 4%
TOTAL 82.38
Capital financing 2015/16
Service 2015/16
expenditure £m
Supported expenditure - capital grant 19.55 24%
Prudential borrowing 29.95 36%
Major repairs allowance 9.47 12%
Internal funds 8.18 10%
Contributions 4.99 6%
Usable capital receipts 10.24 12%
TOTAL 82.38
20
Precept – Budget Information 2015/16Foreword by Councillor Colleen Atkins MBE, Chair of
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority and Paul Fuller,
Chief Fire Officer.
In 2015/16, the Fire and Rescue Authority aims to continue to provide an
excellent response service to fires, road traffic collisions and other
emergencies, whilst also striving to reduce the number and severity of
such incidents.
We have prepared a Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), which
shows how the Fire and Rescue Authority will achieve this, by
understanding community risks, highlighting how we respond to the full
range of emergencies we are called to, and how our prevention and
protection activities are targeted to reduce the risks facing our
communities.
Last year, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended around 5,550
emergency incidents including: over 2,000 house fires; 371 road traffic
collisions; 109 flooding incidents; and 1,117 special incidents which
includes animal rescues, aircraft, and railway incidents.
Our fire fighters rescued 60 people from fires and extricated
99 from road traffic collisions, with a further 68 extricated or
released from other special service incidents.
Our wide range of prevention activities includes: providing free home fire
safety checks and smoke detectors; road safety and home safety
education campaigns; and working closely with children and adults of all
ages, abilities and cultures.
Operational crews and specialist fire safety inspecting officers provide
guidance to owners and occupiers of commercial and public buildings, to
help them fulfil their legal fire safety responsibilities.
In common with all public services, the current economic downturn will
require us to make some difficult decisions to achieve significant savings
over this and future years. We are confident our careful planning will
help us meet those challenges, whilst maintaining high quality services.For 2015/16, the Fire and Rescue Authority has increased its Band D
Council Tax requirement by about 3 pence per week.
In conjunction with our programme of efficiency savings, this small
increase will help ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our
communities whilst delivering the necessary reductions in overall costs.
This means your Fire and Rescue Service is provided for a Council Tax
amount of just 24 pence per day for a Band D household, which we
believe continues to represent excellent value for money.
Councillor Colleen Atkins MBE, Chair of the
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority
Paul M Fuller QFSM MSc BSc FIFire MinstLM
Chief Fire Officer, Bedfordshire Fire and
Rescue ServiceRevenue Budget
Our revenue budget sets out the money necessary for the day to day
-
running of the service. Through our on-going programme of efficiency
savings we have managed to minimise the increase in our revenue
budget requirement for this year compared to last year. Our efficiency
measures have allowed us to continue with key service improvements
whilst restricting the increase in this year’s Council Tax to 1.99 per
cent (equivalent to an increase of just 3 pence per week for a Band D
household).
This has been achieved despite the impact of a 9 per cent reduction in
Government grant (compared to 2014/15) totalling £1.079m, and the
effect of inflation which has increased our costs this year by £0.421m.
Capital Budget
Our capital programme highlights spending on assets such as our fire
stations and fire engines. Each year the Authority draws up a rolling four
year programme of capital projects. The capital projects for this year
totals £1.519m and these are being funded from Government grants and
contributions from the revenue budget.
Projects for this year include:
Investment in our vehicle fleet, to maintain effective, economic and
efficient fire engines and appliances
Investment in IT
Investment in the modernisation of our buildings
Investing in vital operational equipment such as defibrillators and
thermal imaging cameras.
Efficiency Savings
An efficiency saving occurs when the cost of an activity is reduced but its
quality and effectiveness remains the same or improves. The Fire and
Rescue Authority continues to focus on finding new ways to deliver the
highest quality services at lowest possible cost.In 2010, the Government announced reductions in central grant
funding for fire and rescue authorities over the four years 2011/12 to
2014/15 that equated to a 25 per cent reduction, nationally, on 2010/11
levels. There has been a further reduction of 9 per cent for 2015/16. In
order to meet the local impact of this whilst continuing to improve services
and minimise Council Tax rises, the Fire and Rescue Authority has
developed a comprehensive efficiency savings plan.
Total achieved and planned savings and efficiencies between
2010/11 and 2014/15 total £3.5m, with a further savings and
efficiencies of £1.7m by 2018/19.
Some of the key areas where the Authority is achieving its planned
efficiency savings include:
Savings in managerial and support staff costs through shared
service arrangements, organisational restructure and
improvements to working systems
Savings in temporary appointments through improved vacancy
management
Savings in property leasing costs through creation of additional
office capacity at other sites
Savings in fire safety advertising and promotion costs through
improved targeting of campaigns at higher risk groups
Savings in the Service Vehicle Replacement Programme through
improved asset management and maintenance.
Audit Judgement on Value for Money
In the 2014 Annual External Audit Letter from Ernst & Young, the Fire
and Rescue Authority was awarded an ‘unqualified conclusion’, meaning
that we were judged to have satisfactory arrangements in place in all
areas.Financial Charts
Where the money comes from:
Income 2%
2015/16 2014/15
(£m) (£m)
Council Tax Central and
Gross Budget 29.5 29.2
59% Local
Government Income -0.6 -0.6
Funding 38% Budget Requirement 28.9 28.6
Central and Local 11.2 11.7
Government Funding
Council Tax Council Tax Freeze
0.4 0.4
Freeze Grant Grant
1%
Council Tax 17.3
16.5
28.9 28.6
What the money is spent on:
2015/16 2014/15
(£m) (£m) Agency and
Employees 22.1 22.5 Contracted
Premises 1.0 1.0 Services
Transport 0.7 0.7
2%
Supplies and Services 2.4 2.1 Employees Transport
Agency and Contracted
78% 3%
0.4 0.5
Services
Capital Financing 2.2 1.8
Supplies and
Services
28.8 28.6
8%
Reserves Funding 0.1
0 Premises
Budget Requirement 28.9 28.6 3%
Capital
Financing
6%
The Band D Council Tax for 2015/16 will be £89.22
The Fire and Rescue Authority has agreed a budget requirement of £28.9 million for
2015/16If you would like a printed copy of this leaflet
please contact Sharon Webster on 01234 845180
or email Sharon.webster@bedsfire.com
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Southfields Road
Kempston
Bedford
MK42 7NR
Tel 01234 845000
www.bedsfire.com
V7 24/2/15COUNCIL TAX
FOR POLICING Building a Safer
Bedfordshire
MISSIONER
COM CO
Policing costs
IT’S
E UN
RIM
CIL
&C
TAX
This year Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins
SHIRE POLICE
REFERENDUM
has set a budget of £104.606m for 2015/16 compared
increase in the amount of council tax paid towards
DE
ORD
N
CISI
policing (the Police Precept) of 15.8 per cent compared
F
O
ED
B
1
to 2014/15 which means that a Band D property will rise
5
TH 20 by £24.80 a year, or 48p a week – making a total of
U R S DAY 7 M AY
£181.35 per annum. Of the total police budget 66 per
cent will come from the government and the remaining
34 per cent via the local council tax. Because the Police
Precept rise is higher than 2 per cent it has to be
approved in a referendum.*
What your money will be used for
The 15.8 per cent increase will raise around £4.5m which will
be used to fund 100 additional police officers. This will mean
that warranted officers can be put back into Neighbourhood
Policing Teams in each part of the County. The majority of
Police Constables were removed from local teams in 2012.
•
•
•
• 25 more will be trained as specialists to tackle
cyber-crime and child-sexual exploitationWhat it will cost
Band 2014/15 2015/16 +15.8%
+15.8% Difference
A 104.37 120.90 16.53
B 121.76 141.05 19.29
Building a Safer
C 139.16 161.20 22.04
Bedfordshire
D 156.55 181.35 24.80
E 191.34 221.65 30.31
F 226.13 261.95 35.82
G 260.92 302.25 41.33
H 313.10 362.70 49.60
The increase will come into effect in April 2015, although the
Referendum will not take place until General Election day on
7 May 2015. It is important that you are aware that you are
being asked whether you support the increase that was
introduced in April and not another increase following the vote.
Getting in touch and finding out more *NB: This council tax increase is
classified as “excessive” according
to Government regulations. A
If you have any further questions about this you can contact
referendum will therefore be held
me in the following ways: in accordance with the Local
Government and Finance Act of
Write to:
1992. This referendum will be
Commissioner Olly Martins, Office of the Police and Crime held on the same day as the other
Commissioner for Bedfordshire, Bridgebury House, Woburn elections this year, Thursday 7
Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK43 9AX May 2015. Additional information
regarding the referendum will be
Email: pcc@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
provided in due course.
Tel: 01234 842066 Twitter: @BedsPCC
15_0043
www.bedspcc.orgRINGMASTER
COMMUNITY MESSAGING SYSTEM
Stay alert with Ringmaster
Ringmaster provides accurate information about crimes in
your area direct to your telephone or email address and over
17,000 local residents have already signed up.
Ringmaster is a Community Messaging Service, providing information about different types of
crime, from local crime patterns, business crime, rural crime, faith related crime, equine crime
and retail crime.
The service is free to everyone.
You don’t need to be involved in Neighbourhood Watch or one of the other Groups
to join Ringmaster.
You can select the type of information that is most relevant to you and you can
choose how you wish to receive it – email, online, or text message.
You can join Ringmaster online at www.bedspcc.org
Alternatively you can phone 01234 275165 and an application form can be sent through the
post.
Building a Safer
Bedfordshire
15_0043Supporting you through tough times
We can’t stop the tough times. But as a Council we are committed to
providing you with local quality services delivering value for money.
Don’t bury your head in the sand if you are in financial difficulty.
Contact us as early as possible. We can advise you of any discounts
or benefits to which you may be entitled. In special circumstances,
we may be able to offer you a revised payment plan. You can also get
specialist money advice from outside organisations.
Luton Citizens’ Advice Bureau Luton Law Centre
Provides a range of advice services 6th Floor, Cresta House
including how to cope with your Alma Street
debt problems. Luton LU1 2PL
24-26 King Street Tel: 01582 481000
Luton LU1 2DP email: admin@lutonlawcentre.org.uk
Tel: 0844 245 1285 www.lawcentres.org.uk
www.adviceguide.org.uk
National Debtline
Consumer Credit Counselling Tel: 0808 808 4000
Service www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Tel: 0800 138 111
www.cccs.co.uk Bankruptcy line
Tel: 0800 074 6918
The UK Insolvency Helpline Debt Bankruptcy-Insolvency.co.uk
Advice Service
Tel: 0800 074 6918
www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk
Luton Rights
15 New Bedford Road
Luton LU1 1SA
Tel: 01582 453372
www.lutonrights.org
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