Council Tax 2020 2021 - Your council tax explained - Stafford Borough Council
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Council Tax 2020 - 2021 Your council tax explained. Council Tax 2020 - 2021 1
Contents Welcome
About Your Council Tax Now more than ever, people are turning
to their local authorities for support. It is
How is Council Tax Calculated? 03 therefore vital that we continue to provide
Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 03 those services that are important to you.
Could You Get a Discount? 03 With a continuing reduction in the funding
Empty and Second Homes 04 we receive from central government, we are
Council Tax Valuation Bands 05 working hard to ensure that we retain high
Reduction for People with Disabilities 06 quality, value for money services for our
Could You Be Exempt? 06 residents.
Can You Appeal? 07
What if You Don’t Think You This booklet outlines how we plan to spend
Should Pay Council Tax? 07 the money raised from your council tax
Changes in Circumstance 07 this year. Please take a few minutes to
How We Use Your Information 07 read through this information. You may find
you are eligible to claim an exemption or
discount, which could reduce how much
About Your Council Tax Bill council tax you need to pay. See pages
3 - 7 for more detail.
Average Bill for Band D Property 08
Charge for Each Property Band 08
The Borough Council Charge 09
Why the Increased Spend? 10
Other Information 10
Parish Spending 11
Colwich Parish Council 12
Stone Town Council 13-14
The Environment Agency 15
Statement Concerning
Adult Social Care 16
Contact Information
Stafford Borough Council 17
Valuation Office Agency 17
Fire 17
Police 17
Staffordshire County Council 17
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 02
About Your Council Tax
How is Council Tax Calculated? Could You Get a Discount?
Your council tax is based on two adults This depends on the number of adults in
living in a property. your house and their circumstances. If any
of the adults are on the list below, they may
If only one person lives there, they are
not be counted for council tax purposes. If
entitled to a 25% discount.
this takes the number of ‘counted’ adults
Certain properties could be 100% below two, you are eligible for a discount.
exempt even if they are occupied. See ull time students, student nurses,
F
page 6 for more details.
apprentices, youth training trainees and
Please remember, if you are waiting for the foreign language assistants.
outcome of an application for a reduction, oung people for whom child benefit is
Y
you must continue to pay your current bill.
payable and 18/19 year olds who have
If successful, you will be entitled to a refund just left school or college.
of any overpaid council tax. atients resident in hospital or being
P
looked after in care homes.
Local Council Tax Severely mentally impaired people.
Reduction Scheme People in hostels or night shelters.
If you are unemployed or on a low wage, ow paid care workers (usually working
L
you may be able to get your bill reduced.
for charities).
If you think that you may qualify for eople caring for a person with a
P
this reduction, please visit our website
disability who is NOT their partner or
and use the online calculator
their child under the age of 18.
www.staffordbc.gov.uk/benefits
Members of religious communities such
as monks or nuns.
eople in detention (except for non-
P
payment of council tax or a fine).
pouses or dependants of students who
S
are non-British subjects and are
prevented by immigration regulations
from working or claiming benefits.
embers of visiting forces, certain
M
international and defence organisations
and those with diplomatic privilege
or immunity.
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 03
Empty and Second Homes
Council tax on empty or second homes in the Stafford Borough Council area will be
payable as follows:
Type of Home Description Discount Charge
Period
Empty homes Unfurnished and up to 100% (after the 28
unoccupied for less 28 days day discount period)
than 2 years 100%
Furnished and 2nd Furnished and 100%
homes unoccupied
Long-term empty homes Unfurnished and 200%
unoccupied for more
than 2 years but less
than 5 years
Long-term empty homes Unfurnished and 300%
unoccupied for more
than 5 years
Uninhabitable Unfurnished and up to 12 100% (after the 12
properties: under-going unoccupied months month discount period).
major repair work or 100% 200% (after property
structural alterations empty between 2 and
5 years) 300% (after
property empty more
than 5 years)
Unoccupied due to Unoccupied due to 50%
liable person living occupant living in armed
elsewhere in job- forces accommodation
related or armed forces for job-related purposes
accommodation.
The council tax team can give you more information about how the above charges may
affect you and may be able to refer you to someone who can give you advice about
bringing your property back into use.
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 04
Council Tax Valuation Bands Proportion
The Valuation Office Agency, part of HM Range of values of Band D
Revenue and Customs (not your local Band as at 1 April 1991 tax payable
council) has put every property into one of A Up to and including 6/9
eight valuation bands. £40,000
Your council tax bill states which band B £40,001 to £52,000 7/9
applies to your home and your home’s C £52,001 to £68,000 8/9
valuation is based on an estimate of how
much it was worth on 1 April 1991. Price D £68,001 to £88,000 1
changes since that time won’t affect the E £88,001 to 11/9
valuation. £120,000
A full list of valuation bands is available on F £120,001 to 13/9
its website at www.voa.gov.uk. £160,000
G £160,001 to 15/9
£320,000
H More than £320,000 2
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 05Reduction for People with Disabilities If you, or someone who lives with you, needs a room, an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space in your property to meet special needs arising from a disability, your bill may be reduced. The bill may be reduced to that of a property in the band immediately below the band of your property. If your property is in Band A, a reduction (equivalent to a band) will be given. This reduction is not based on your income or savings. Could You Be Exempt from Council Tax? Some properties may be exempt from council tax. Unoccupied properties which are Owned by a charity (allowed for up to six months) Left empty by someone who has gone to prison Previously occupied by a person in permanent residential care Owned by the estate of a deceased person and waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (continuous for up to six months after being granted) Empty because occupation is forbidden by law Waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion eft empty by someone who has moved to receive personal care by reason of old age, L disablement or illness Left empty by someone who has moved to provide personal care to another person Owned by a student and last occupied by a student Subject to a Repossession Order The responsibility of a bankrupt person’s trustee A site for a caravan, mobile home or mooring nable to be let separately because it is linked to, or in the grounds of, another property U and planning conditions do not allow separate letting Occupied properties where All the residents are students Used for UK armed forces accommodation, whether occupied or not At least one liable person is a member of a visiting force All residents are less than 18 years old All liable residents are severely mentally impaired At least one liable person is a foreign diplomat It is annexed to a family home and occupied by that family’s elderly or disabled relatives Council Tax 2020 - 2021 06
Can You Appeal Against Your How We Collect and Use
Council Tax Band? Information
There are several situations where you can Stafford Borough Council, as the data
appeal against the band in which your controller, will use the information that you
house has been placed: provide to update your Council Tax
account. We want to be able to provide
Within six months of becoming the new
appropriate, timely and effective services
tax payer for the property.
so it is important to us that we coordinate
Withinsix months of the Valuation Office what we do for you properly. To do this, we
Agency making a change to the band. will share basic information such as name
and address between services within the
If there
have been specific material
Council. This allows us to keep our
changes in the property value.
information on you as up-to-date as
Any queries about appeals and bandings possible in order to improve our services
should be made direct to the Valuation to you.
Office Agency. See contacts on page 17.
Even though our systems are joined-up, we
ensure that staff within the Council can only
access the information they need to do their
What If You Don’t Think You job. Please be advised, we won’t sell or
Should Be Paying Council Tax? give your information to any third party for
You can appeal to the council if you think marketing purposes unless we have asked
you are not liable to pay council tax e.g. for your permission.
because you are not the resident or owner,
We will only share your information, when
or because your property is exempt or you
necessary, with agencies involved in the
are entitled to a discount.
administration of your Council Tax account,
You should not withhold payment if you or where the law requires or allows us to,
are making an appeal. You should pay as for example, to prevent or detect fraud
normal and a refund will be made if you and error within the Council Tax and/or
are successful. Benefit System.
For More information, please see
www.staffordbc.gov.uk/PrivacyNotice or
Changes in Circumstances www.staffordbc.gov.uk/nfi.
If you have been granted a reduction you
must tell the council of any change in
circumstances which will affect your
entitlement within 21 days. If you fail to
do so you may be faced with a penalty of
£70. For more details about council tax
discounts see page 3, for details of Council
Tax exemptions see page 6.
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 07About Your Council Tax
Your council tax bill comprises charges from four principal authorities in the area, Staffordshire
County Council, Staffordshire Commissioner (Police and Crime), Staffordshire Commissioner
(Fire and Rescue) and Stafford Borough Council.
The Borough Council is solely responsible for collection of council tax.
Average Bill for a Band D Property for 2020 / 2021
2019/20 2020/21 Increase
Authority
(£) (£) (£) %
156.30 Stafford Borough Council 159.27 2.97 1.90
1,246.23 Staffordshire County Council 1,295.95 49.72 3.99
Staffordshire Commissioner
75.73 77.24 1.51 1.99
(Fire and Rescue)
Staffordshire Commissioner
216.56 225.09 8.53 3.94
(Police and Crime)
1,694.82 Total 1,757.55 62.73 3.70
Charge for Each Property Band
Property COUNCIL TAX
Total(£)
Band Borough (£) County (£) Fire (£) Police (£)
A 106.18 863.97 51.49 150.06 1,171.70
B 123.88 1,007.96 60.08 175.07 1,366.99
C 141.57 1,151.96 68.66 200.08 1,562.27
D 159.27 1,295.95 77.24 225.09 1,757.55
E 194.66 1,583.94 94.40 275.11 2,148.11
F 230.06 1,871.93 111.57 325.13 2,538.69
G 265.45 2,159.92 128.73 375.15 2,929.25
H 318.54 2,591.90 154.48 450.18 3,515.10
In addition a further charge is included for the spending of parish councils where
appropriate (see page 11).
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 08How the Borough Council Charge of £159.27 is derived
The amount of money required by the Council for 2020/21 to carry out its functions and
provide services (its Budget Requirement) is £12.358 million (£12.203 million in 2019/20).
A proportion of this is met by Business Rates Retention with the balance being met from
council taxpayers.
The table below provides an analysis of the funding of the Budget Requirement and
illustrates how the charge of £159.27 is calculated.
2019 / 2020 2020 / 2021
Band D Band D
£000’s £000’s
Equivalent £ Equivalent £
12,203 256.95 Budget Requirement 12,358 256.07
4,780 100.65 Less Business Rates Retention 4,672 96.80
7,423 156.30 Council Tax Requirement 7,686 159.27
Where the Money Goes - Spending on the Borough Council’s Services
(Net spending before technical adjustments)
3%
14%
£404 Planning and
Regeneration Portfolio
£2,051 Leisure and
Culture Portfolio
£4,801 Environment Portfolio
£6,725 Resources Portfolio
£930 Community Portfolio
The figures quoted are £’000.
32% 45%
6%
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 09Why the Increased Spend?
The Council’s budget requirement for 2020/21 of £12.358 million is £155,000 more than in
2019/20. The following table identifies the major reasons for this:
£’000
Inflation and cost increases 300
Service efficiencies (588)
Changes in income 49
Reduced reliance on Government funding 15
Revenue bids 538
Other changes (159)
Increase in budget requirement 155
Other Information
Staffing
Budgeted staffing for 2020/21 is 247.8 compared to 246.3 staff in 2019/20 (part time staff
are included as full time equivalents).
Capital Expenditure
In 2020/21 the Borough Council will be spending approximately £5.875 million on capital
investment. Areas of investment include a contribution towards Stafford Western Access
Route of £2.5 million and finalisation of improvements at Victoria Park in Stafford as part
of a Heritage Lottery Scheme. Resources will continue to be made available for disabled
facilities grants to householders.
Borrowing
The Borough Council has no outstanding debt.
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 10What is Your Parish Spending?
Band D
2019/2020 (£) Parish 2020/2021 (£) Equivalent (£)
2,208.32 Adbaston 3,158.15 13.00
67,949.00 Barlaston 67,949.00 64.60
26,000.00 Berkswich 26,000.00 31.42
9,000.00 Bradley 10,500.00 47.80
12,000.00 Brocton 13,400.00 23.76
6,277.00 Chebsey 6,699.00 25.47
5,511.44 Church Eaton 5,909.20 19.90
194,640.00 Colwich 195,780.00 103.32
10,500.00 Creswell 14,150.00 27.41
13,875.00 Doxey 21,016.00 21.18
58,280.00 Eccleshall 81,250.00 37.10
200.00 Ellenhall 200.00 3.18
976.00 Forton 1,072.27 7.38
1,200.00 Fradswell 1,200.00 13.84
50,000.00 Fulford 50,000.00 20.32
3,385.00 Gayton 3,907.00 49.38
74,264.76 Gnosall 93,171.00 44.96
20,040.27 Haughton 21,497.27 44.86
4,983.24 High Offley 4,983.24 12.37
9,765.00 Hilderstone 11,013.00 38.16
31,109.21 Hixon 31,938.58 40.69
31,000.00 Hopton and Coton 36,000.00 41.61
4,159.22 Hyde Lea 6,000.00 31.96
2,000.00 Ingestre 2,000.00 22.59
Nil Marston Nil Nil
3,800.00 Milwich 4,100.00 20.28
3,663.11 Norbury 3,772.10 18.88
4,230.73 Ranton 4,294.19 22.98
7,665.00 Salt and Enson 7,665.00 39.85
9,535.00 Sandon and Burston 9,716.00 57.24
16,460.00 Seighford 18,650.00 23.12
9,000.00 Standon 9,000.00 26.17
316,258.68 Stone Town 329,047.68 50.65
15,266.54 Stone Rural 15,266.54 20.23
12,302.95 Stowe by Chartley 14,728.00 76.68
17,000.00 Swynnerton 30,000.00 21.80
2,000.00 Tixall 2,000.00 15.80
29,828.00 Weston 33,866.00 69.40
1,316.00 Whitgreave 1,316.00 14.70
9,576.51 Yarnfield and Cold Meece 25,000.54 29.90
08 1,097,225.98 TOTAL 1,217,215.76
Council Tax 2019 - 2020Colwich Parish Council
Revenue Expenditure Revenue Expenditure
2019/20 (£) 2020/21 (£)
Administration 33,535 23,275
Staffing 94,460 105,800
Community Engagement 3,000 3,400
Events 6,500
Parish Maintenance 30,050 12,020
Footpaths 0 500
Green Infrastructure 2,000 2,000
Parish Centre 7,390 9,385
Jubilee Playing Field 20,405 29,100
Grants/Donations 3,800 3,800
Precept (including Local Council 194,640 195,780
Tax Support Grant)
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 12Stone Town Council Stone Town Council provides services for the people and town of Stone. These services include the provision of community facilities, such as the Frank Jordan and Stone Station community centres, allotment sites at Newcastle Road and Mount Road, Station Road Conveniences, and the Crown Meadow Nature Reserve and amphitheatre. The 2020-21 budget includes additional funding to enable the improvement of Christmas Lights in Walton, extra environmental work at the Crown Meadow and investment in the Council’s commitment to tackle climate change. This is in addition to the development and operation of a new Heritage Centre within the exciting redevelopment at Crown Wharf. Investing in and working to promote a vibrant town and encourage visitors is a key Town Council priority. In order to support this, the Council organises regular events such as the Town Market and monthly Craft Market together with town centre events such as the Music Festival, Stone by the Sea, the Classic Car event and the St Georges Day celebration. Christmas lights are provided in the High Street and at Walton, with the Council’s annual switch-on event being one of the highlights of the town’s year. The High Street environment is enhanced by the Council’s provision of hanging baskets along the High Street, and newly refurbished noticeboards and fingerposts throughout the town. The Council provides bus shelters, benches and dog bins throughout the area and takes responsibility for the upkeep of many local amenities and planted areas. It also provides grants to help charitable and community organisations such as the Stone Community Hub, supports various festivals, and the office supplies daily support and advice to local residents. By considering the impact of every planning application, the Council seeks to develop and conserve the town, and is currently preparing a Neighbourhood Plan that will help to shape and protect the future of Stone for years to come. At its monthly meetings the Council welcomes questions from the public and sets aside time to listen and respond. Assistance with public questions will galdly be given by the Council’s staff. Council Tax 2020 - 2021 13
Stone Town Council
Revenue Revenue
Budget Budget
2019/20 (£) 2020/21 (£)
Community & Heritage Centres 150,300 98,240
Town Market -13,200 -10,400
Car Parking 4,500 0
Public Conveniences 6,600 0
Town Maintenance 6,500 9,900
Grounds Maintenance 18,200 16,600
Crown Meadow Improvements 1,900 5,935
Allotments 2,500 60
Enviromental Initiatives 0 2,750
Christmas Lights 15,000 19,000
Tourism & Town Promotion 21,100 23,600
Grants 9,800 8,000
Salaries & Employment Costs 145,400 158,300
Insurances 8,500 6,700
Administration & Civic Costs 39,200 46,500
Town Centre Elections 28,000 0
Neighbourhood Plan 9,900 7,900
Grants Received -11,500 -11,500
Contributons from Reserves -126,442 -52,538
Precept (incl. Local Council Tax Support Grant) 316,258 329,047
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 14Environment Agency
The Council Tax (Demand Notices) (England) Regulations 2011.
The Environment Agency is a levying body for its Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk
Management Functions under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the
Environment Agency (Levies) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.
The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood and coastal erosion risk
management for 2369 kilometres of main river and along tidal and sea defences in the area
of the Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. Money is spent on the construction
of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood
defences together with the operation of a flood warning system and management of the
risk of coastal erosion. The financial details are:
Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee
2019/2020 2020/2021
000’s 000’s
Gross Expenditure £63,722 £66,717
Levies Raised £2,095 £2,137
Total Council Tax Base 1,821 1,848
The majority of funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, under the new Partnership Funding
rule not all schemes will attract full central funding.To provide local funding for local priorities
and contributions for partnership funding the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees
recommend through the Environment Agency a local levy.
A change in the gross budgeted expenditure between years reflects the programme
of works for both capital and revenue needed by the Regional Flood and Coastal
Committee to which you contribute. The total Local Levy raised by this committee
has increased by 2.0%
The total Local Levy raised has increased from £2,095,383 for 2019/2020 to £2,137,291 for
2020/2021.
Council Tax 2020 - 2021 15Statement Concerning Adult Social Care Funding The Secretary of State made an offer to adult social care authorities (‘Adult social care authorities’ are local authorities which have functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, namely county councils in England, district councils for an area in England for which there is no county council, London borough councils, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.) The offer was the option of an adult social care authority being able to charge an additional ‘precept’ on its council tax without holding a referendum, to assist the authority in meeting its expenditure on adult social care from the financial year 2016-17. It was originally made in respect of the financial years up to and including 2019-20. If the Secretary of State chooses to renew this offer in respect of a particular financial year, this is subject to the approval of the House of Commons. Council Tax 2020 - 2021 16
Contact Information This information can be produced on request in other formats and other languages. Call 01785 619 000 Stafford Borough Council www.staffordbc.gov.uk Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 3AQ 24 hour telephone payment line 0161 621 4111 or 01785 619 271 To pay online www.staffordbc.gov.uk Business rates helpline 01785 619 282 Business rates e-mail revenues@staffordbc.gov.uk Council tax helpline 01785 619 279 Council tax e-mail revenues@staffordbc.gov.uk Benefit helpline 01785 619 478 Benefit overpayment e-mail debtrecovery@staffordbc.gov.uk Main switchboard 01785 619 000 Main fax 01785 619 119 Valuation Office Agency www.gov.uk/voa/contact Listing officer, Valuation Office Agency 03000 501 501 Fire www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Pirehill, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0BS Fire Headquarters 08451 221 155 Emergency number dial 999 Police www.staffordshire.police.uk Police Headquarters, PO Box 3167, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 9JZ Police non emergency number 101 Emergency number dial 999 Staffordshire County Council www.staffordshire.gov.uk St Chad’s Place, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2LR Main reception 0300 111 8000 Council Tax 2020 - 2021 17
CONTACT
01785 619 000
revenues@staffordbc.gov.uk
STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ
www.staffordbc.gov.uk
If you need this information in
large print, Braille, other language
or in audio format please contact:
info@staffordbc.gov.uk
01785 619 000
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