Council Tax and other information - Bolton Council
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Council Tax
and other information
2018/2019 www.bolton.gov.uk
1
Contents
Introduction 3
How your money is spent 4
Council tax bands and charges 5
How your council tax is used 6
Our budget plans for 2018/19 7
Council tax information 8
Your information 11
Are you entitled to benefits? 12
Free school meals and clothing allowance 15
Do it online Back page
Contact us...
For further information about details in this booklet, please contact the following offices:
Council tax For Council Tax Support Fraud
Tel: 01204 331599 (CTS) only
Online contact form: Tel: 01204 331590
www.bolton.gov.uk/counciltax Email: housing.benefits@bolton.gov.uk
Write to: PO Box 32, Town Hall, Write to: PO Box 4,
Bolton BL1 1UT Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1RX
Benefits, free school meals and National benefit fraud hotline
school clothing allowances (not including CTS fraud)
Tel: 01204 331590 Tel: 0800 854 440.
Email: housing.benefits@bolton.gov.uk Write to: NBFH, PO Box 224,
Write to: PO Box 4, Town Hall, Preston PR1 1GP
Bolton BL1 1RX Web: www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud
Information that we keep about you
Email: freedomofinfo@bolton.gov.uk
Write to: Corporate Information Manager,
Bolton Council, 1st Floor, Town Hall,
Bolton BL1 1RU
Alternatively, you can visit our website www.bolton.gov.uk
2
Introduction
Welcome to this guide which explains
your council tax, the council’s budget,
and where your money goes.
The council’s budget is made up of the money we receive from the government as a
grant, business rates, and the money we raise through council tax.
Since 2010 the amount of money we receive as a grant has been reducing, and
although we have had to put up council tax, this increase only covers a small part of
what we have lost.
In this guide you can find out more about where our money comes from and in
particular about the changes taking place with business rates.
The council works with other public bodies, the private sector and community and
voluntary groups to improve the borough. Our two main aims are to increase prosperity
within the borough and to narrow the gap between the most vulnerable residents and
the better off.
Please read this booklet to find out how your money is spent.
3
How your money is spent
No one likes receiving a bill, but it helps Part of the council tax you pay also goes
if you know how your money is being to the Greater Manchester Police and
spent. Your council tax funds a wide Crime and Fire and Rescue services.
range of other services that we all rely on Some money is also paid out to other
throughout our lives such as: organisations such as the Passenger
Transport and Waste Disposal Authorities.
• Keeping Bolton’s streets clean
• Maintaining and repairing roads and There is more information on how
bridges your money is spent on pages 6
• Providing libraries and art galleries and 7 of this booklet.
• Leisure facilities including swimming
pools, sports centres and parks Where does the council’s money
• Caring for children, the elderly and come from?
other vulnerable people Aside from Council Tax, for 2018/19 the
• Children’s services, such as schools, Council will continue to retain 100% of
children’s centres, before and after its business rates with 1% of this being
school clubs and youth services passed over to Greater Manchester
• Traffic management and road safety Combined Authority (GMCA) for Fire
• Making sure that consumers are services. Because the Council is retaining
protected against dangerous goods more business rates, it will no longer
• Registering births, deaths and receive certain grants from Government
marriages such as Revenue Support Grant and
• Housing benefits Public Health Grant, and may in future be
• Planning and building control asked to take on additional services.
• Community centres and youth centres
• Helping to regenerate Bolton
• Recycling
• Emptying your household domestic
bins
Adult Social Care Funding
Within the financial years 2017/18 to 2019/20 the Council is permitted to raise
Council Tax by an additional 6%, with a maximum of 3% in any one year, specifically
for Adult Social Care. For 2018/19 the Adult Social Care Precept element of the
Council Tax has increased by 2% to support this.
4
Council tax bands and charges
Council tax bands
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for setting the bands which are
based on property values at 1 April 1991. Your council tax bill shows which band your
property is in.
Council tax charge 2018/19 and valuation band ranges
Band Bolton Blackrod Horwich West’ton
Charge Charge Charge Charge
A £40,000 or less £1,130.67 £1,153.46 £1,147.60 £1,141.88
B £40,001 to £52,000 £1,319.12 £1,345.70 £1,338.88 £1,332.20
C £52,001 to £68,000 £1,507.55 £1,537.93 £1,530.13 £1,522.50
D £68,001 to £88,000 £1,696.00 £1,730.18 £1,721.40 £1,712.82
E £88,001 to £120,000 £2,072.88 £2,114.66 £2,103.92 £2,093.44
F £120,001 to £160,000 £2,449.79 £2,499.16 £2,486.48 £2,474.09
G £160,001 to £320,000 £2,826.67 £2,883.64 £2,869.00 £2,854.70
H £320,001 or more £3,392.00 £3,460.36 £3,442.80 £3,425.64
Banding appeals The basic level of Council Tax (i.e.
If you think your band may be wrong, you excluding the GMCA and Parish Precepts)
can ask the Valuation Office to review it: has increased by 4.99%, represented by
a 2% increase for Adult Social Care and
Manchester Valuation Office a 2.99% increase for the general levy. Of
Manchester One, 53 Portland Street, this 2.99%, 1% will be directly allocated
Manchester M1 3LD to Children’s Services.
Tel: 03000 501501
Email: ctnorth@voa.gsi.gov.uk Greater Manchester Combined
Website: www.voa.gov.uk Authority (GMCA) On 8 May 2017
legislation came into force which gave the
Please note Mayor for Greater Manchester a range of
You must continue to pay your council tax powers including the role of GM Police
bill while you have any banding query or and Crime Commissioner and delivery
appeal pending with the Valuation Office. of GM Fire and Rescue Services. GMCA
is responsible for issuing precepts in
Further information is available at 2018/19 on behalf of the Mayor. The GM
www.voa.gov.uk Office of Police and Crime Commissioner
and the GM Fire and Rescue Authority
ceased to exist on 8th May 2017.
5
How your council tax is used
Service Band A Band D
Property Property
Adult Services and Public Health £395.60 £593.40
Residential Care, Home Care, Direct Payments,
Supported Living and various other forms of Social
Care for Adults. Preventative and information services in
relation to Public Health.
Childrens’ Services £201.02 £301.53
Social Care for Children including fostering and adoption
placements. Support to Schools and Educational
services.
Environmental Services £92.21 £138.31
Empty bins, maintaining roads, cemeteries and parks,
ensuring consumer protection, managing libraries and
museums.
Development and Regeneration / Housing £56.46 £84.69
Managing the planning process, increasing tourism,
offering housing advice, increasing employment and
skills opportunities.
£ Levies
Waste, transport and land drainage
£152.81 £229.21
Central support costs including
Finance / Legal / Information, Communications £71.07 £106.61
and Technology
Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept £116.20 £174.30
Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) £45.30 £67.95
Total Council Tax 2018/19 £1,130.67 £1,696.00
6
Our budget plans for 2018/19
Service 18/19 net budget
£m £m
Adult Services and Public Health 89.993
Childrens’ Services 53.059
Envionmental Services 24.338
Development and Regeneration/Housing and Property Services 14.902
Levies 40.334
Central Support 18.759
Total service costs 241.385
Less income:
Central Government Grants -2.376
Use of reserves and collection fund balance -15.123
Business Rates -115.113
Total grants and other income -132.612
Sub-total 108.773
Plus:
Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept 13.041
Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) 5.084
Total to be collected from taxpayers 126.898
Equivalent number of Band D properties 74,822
Amount to be collected per Band D dwelling £1,696.00
Value of Band D
Precept equivalent
Parish Precepts Council Tax
£ £
Blackrod 64,608 34.18
Horwich 185,836 25.40
Westhoughton 141,890 16.82
Value of Band D
Precept equivalent
Council Tax
£000 £
Adult Social Care Precept 2016/17 1,823 25.53
Adult Social Care Precept 2017/18 2,952 39.64
Adult Social Care Precept 2018/19 2,072 27.69
Cumulative 6,847 92.86
7Council tax information
Scam alert • If only one adult living at your address
Trading Standards advise caution if you is counted then a 25% discount can be
receive a call from anyone saying you are claimed
in the wrong council tax band or you are • If none of the adults living at your
entitled to a refund of council tax. The address are counted then a 50%
caller will charge a fee and some have discount can be claimed and in some
given misleading information including cases an exemption may apply - see
false claims that: Exemptions for occupied properties
• They are from the council or other • If you have a second home that
official body is provided under a contract of
• They are working with the police employment then a 50% discount can
• It will cost you more to challenge your be claimed
tax band on your own
• The council or VOA will not help you Adults who are not counted
Here are examples of people who are not
Remember that: counted:
• Nobody can guarantee you a lower • Full-time students, student nurses,
council tax band apprentices and those people under 25
• The vast majority of bandings are on youth training schemes
correct • People permanently resident in hospital
• It’s free to challenge or enquire about or in care homes
your council tax band (see page 5) • People who are severely mentally
• These companies do little more than impaired
what you can do for yourself for free • Carers - people living with and caring
by contacting the Valuation Office for someone who is not their spouse,
partner or child under 18
If you think you have been misled, • 18 or 19 year olds who are still at
report it to Trading Standards school or college or have just left
on 03454 040506. • 18 year olds for whom child benefit is
still being paid
Charge appeals • Members of religious communities,
If you think that either you or your property such as monks or nuns
should not be subject to a council tax • People staying in hostels or night
charge, you may appeal to the council tax shelters
office. • People in prison or detention (except
those in prison for non-payment of
Discounts for occupied properties council tax or a fine)
If you have already been awarded a
discount it will show on your bill. Discount for annexes
• If you are the only adult (over 18) living This is a 50% discount for annexes
at your address, you can claim a 25% that are either being used as part of the
discount off your bill main residence or are occupied by direct
8relatives of the person who is responsible years then a 50% premium will be payable
for the council tax on the main dwelling. on top of the full charge. This will mean
Please contact the council tax office for that a 150% charge will be payable.
further details if you think you may be
entitled to this discount. However, the 50% premium should not be
charged on any property that:
Reductions for people with • Would be the sole or main residence
disabilities of a person in the armed forces who is
If there is a room, extra space or an posted away from home; or
additional bathroom or kitchen in your • Is an annex to a property that is being
property that is needed by a disabled used as part of the main residence of
person who lives there, you may get the main dwelling
a reduction in your council tax. This
reduction is the equivalent of your band Please contact the council tax office if
being reduced to the one below, or by a your property falls into either of these
sixth if your property is in a band A. categories so that we can cancel any
premium that you have been charged.
Exemptions for occupied properties
• Occupied only by people under 18 Second Homes and properties which
• Occupied only by people who are full- are unoccupied and furnished
time students or student nurses There is no discount on these properties.
• Occupied only by people who are This means that a full (100%) charge will
severely mentally impaired be payable.
• Where the property is part of another
property and a dependant relative lives Unoccupied and unfurnished
in it, such as a ‘granny flat’ or annex properties that are undergoing or
requiring major repairs or alterations
Unoccupied and unfurnished There are no discounts available.
properties
The following charges apply based Unoccupied properties that are exempt
on when your property first became • Properties owned by a charity are
unoccupied and unfurnished: exempt for up to six months from
There are no discounts available on these vacation providing that when they were
properties from 1st April 2016. last occupied they were being used for
the purpose of the charity
The first two years – if the property • Properties left empty by someone who
remains unoccupied and unfurnished is a permanent resident in a hospital,
the full (100%) council tax charge will be residential or nursing home or in prison/
payable for the property. detention
• Properties left empty by someone who
After two years – when the property has has left to receive care from another
been unoccupied and unfurnished for two person
9Council tax information contd...
• Properties left empty by someone Changes in circumstances
providing care for another person Please note: You must inform the council
• Properties left empty that were last tax office, within 21 days, of any changes
occupied by a full-time student who is that affect your charge or your right to a
the owner or leaseholder discount, reduction or exemption. If you
• Properties left empty because fail to do this you may be required to pay
someone has died are exempt where a penalty of £70.
probate has yet to be made and for up
to six months after probate has been Paying your council tax
granted You have the choice of paying your
• Properties left empty because they council tax over 10 or 12 months.
have been repossessed or are the We offer weekly, fortnightly and monthly
responsibility of a trustee in bankruptcy instalments.
• Properties left empty because
occupation is not allowed by law If you wish to change the frequency
• Properties waiting to be occupied by a or method of paying your instalments,
minister of religion please complete the form on our website
or contact the council tax office.
Discretionary reductions
to Council Tax Problems paying
These can be made if you can show you If you are having problems paying your
need extra help. For example if you are council tax, please contact us as soon
claiming council tax support and it does as possible. We are able to make special
not cover your bill in full, or if you are arrangements if you are having financial
struggling to pay council tax on a property difficulties.
that is empty.
If you don’t contact us or pay on time,
There is an online claim form further action will be taken which may
for this on our website at www. lead to additional costs being added to
bolton.gov.uk/website/Pages/ your account.
Discountsandexemptions.aspx or you
can contact the council tax office if you Further information can be found on our
wish to discuss it with us. website on the council tax - problems
paying page. Alternatively, contact details
for the council tax office can be found on
page 2 of this booklet.
10Your information
Data protection struggling to cope. The council, its
In order to operate efficiently, Bolton partner organisations and Government
Council has to collect and use information departments work closely to identify
about people we provide services to, and families who are eligible for support and
others we have contact with. These may to ensure services are coordinated and
include members of the public, current, focussed. Data may also be used for
past and prospective employees, clients, national and local research.
customers and suppliers. We may
share information you provide to us, such The Cabinet Office requires councils to
as council tax and benefits data, within participate in data matching to assist in
the council, government bodies the prevention and detection of fraud.
and other authorities, where it is Bolton Council is required to provide
necessary and the law allows it. particular sets of data, including council
tax data, for matching in each exercise.
This personal information must be
handled and dealt with properly, however Bolton Council brings together data from
it is collected, recorded and used, and services that children and young people
whether it be on paper, in computer access. The data is used to identify
records or recorded by any other means, what services a child or young person is
and there are safeguards to ensure this. receiving and who is working with them.
This is to ensure accurate data and
The council will ensure that it treats improve communication between families
personal information lawfully. and professionals.
Data sharing, matching and Visit: www.bolton.gov.uk/privacy
fraud prevention
Bolton Council works with other health For additional information visit
organisations, health professionals and www.bolton.gov.uk/dataprotection
the voluntary sector to improve service email: freedomofinfo@bolton.gov.uk
delivery. This includes ensuring sharing or write to:
information to identify services to improve Information Governance Team,
health and social care outcomes for Bolton Council, Room 120, 1st Floor,
individuals and evaluate how effective the Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1US
services have been.
Alternatively contact:
Family First is the council’s response to Information Commissioner’s Office,
the Government’s national programme Tel: 01625 545745
aimed at improving the lives of families Website: www.ico.gov.uk
11Are you entitled to benefits?
Local Council Tax Support which may include:
You can apply for Council Tax Support • Your income
if you are in receipt of state benefits or if • Your savings and capital
you are on a low income. • The size of your home
• The amount of your rent
All working age people will now have at • Other people who live with you
least 12.5% of their Council Tax to pay If you are not sure if you will qualify, either
contact the housing benefit service (see
If you have £3000 capital or more you will page 2) or you can get a personalised
not be eligible for Council Tax Support calculation using the online calculator at
if you are working age. There are some www.bolton.gov.uk/benefitscalculator
exceptions to this if you are in receipt of
welfare benefits. If you are pension credit Discretionary Housing Payments
age and have capital over £16,000, you Discretionary housing payments can top
will not normally qualify. up benefit awards. They are awarded for
limited periods and are for people who
If you pay council tax why not find out already get housing benefit, local housing
if you can get a reduction based on allowance, or get help with their housing
your circumstances? You can get a costs within Universal Credit and who
personalised calculation using the online are struggling financially. If you need an
calculator at www.bolton.gov.uk/ application form please see our website at
benefitscalculator www.bolton.gov.uk
Housing Benefit / Local Housing Discretionary Council Tax
Allowance (LHA) Reduction Scheme
If you rent your home, you may be able A discretionary reduction may be awarded
to claim housing benefit or Local Housing where you are struggling to pay your
Allowance to help with your rent. There Council Tax. Anyone can apply whether
is more information about local housing you are in receipt of benefits or working.
allowance rates on our website at You do not need to be in receipt of
www.bolton.gov.uk Council Tax Support. The scheme is
designed to offer short term help to those
Savings and capital up to £6,000 customers who are struggling financially.
(£10,000 for those of pension age) are Every application will be considered
ignored, anything above this could affect individually, if you wish to apply for this,
entitlement to benefit, and if you have please complete the application form
over £16,000 you will not normally qualify available on our website at www.bolton.
for housing benefit. gov.uk
When calculating council tax support, Home visits
housing benefit and local housing The Benefits Service has a dedicated
allowance, we look at your circumstances team who can visit people in their own
12homes. A visiting service is provided to: Under occupancy in social housing
• Residents over the age of 60 If you live in accommodation rented
• Residents with a disability to you by a local authority, registered
• Residents who are vulnerable housing association or other registered
social landlord, the following will apply
The team offer advice and complete to you: A 14% reduction will be made
application forms for a range of benefits. to your eligible rent if you under occupy
To find out more contact us (see page 2). your home by one bedroom and a 25%
If you would like to request a home visit reduction for two bedrooms or more. The
contact us (see page 2). rules allow you one bedroom for:
• every adult couple (married or
Electronic Payment unmarried)
If you receive housing benefit or local • any other adult aged 16 or over
housing allowance and are currently paid • any two children of the same sex aged
by cheque you can ask for payments to under 16
be made directly into your bank account. • any two children aged under 10 (unless
The main advantages of receiving its inappropriate for them to share a
electronic payments are: room because of disability)
• They are processed quicker than • any child where it is considered
cheques unreasonable for them to share a room
• They are available to withdraw on the because of their disability (they must
day your bank receives it be getting the care component of
• There are no delays waiting for post disability living allowance at the highest
to arrive or travelling to the bank to or middle rate)
deposit the cheque • any other child
• It reduces risk of loss, late payments or • a carer (or team of carers) who do not
theft live with you but provide you or your
partner with regular overnight care
To make the change to electronic
payment, see page 2 for contact details. A further room may be allowed if you:
• have a child or young person placed
Accessing your account online with you for adoption
If you are already getting housing • are a foster parent
benefit/council tax support you can view • are an approved foster parent who
your account online. This includes details does not currently have a placement
of any payments you have received,
payments due, details of how your There are certain circumstances where
benefit is calculated and details of any the size limit rules will not be applied:
overpayments you may have. To • State pension credit age – If you are
access this service, please vist over state pension credit age or have a
www.bolton.gov.uk partner over state pension credit age
13Are you entitled to benefits?
continued...
• Temporary accommodation – If Total benefit payable will be limited to
you have been accepted as homeless a maximum of £384.62 each week for
under homelessness legislation of couples and lone parents and £257.69
the Housing Act 1996 and placed in for single people, though entitlement to
temporary accommodation by the local certain other benefits may exempt you
authority from the household benefit cap.
• Shared ownership – If you part
own/part rent your home Local authorities will be responsible for
• Supported “exempt” applying the household benefit cap to
accommodation – If you live in a new and existing claims, through housing
property run by housing associations or benefit reductions.
charities which provide care/support or
supervision For more information please see the
housing benefits pages on our website
For more information please see the www.bolton.gov.uk, where there is a link
housing benefits pages on our website for you to use to see if you are affected by
www.bolton.gov.uk the benefit cap. To use this tool you will
need to know the weekly award for each
Household benefit cap benefit or allowance that you and any
Since 2013 the Government put a limit on member of your household receives
the total amount of benefit that working
age people can receive. This means that Universal Credit
households claiming out of work benefits Universal Credit has already been rolled
will no longer receive more in benefits out in the Northwest of England. If
than the average wage paid to those who you receive housing costs within your
are working. Universal Credit, you cannot claim
Housing Benefit (with some exceptions).
You can continue to claim Council Tax
Support.
14Free school meals and
clothing allowance
What are free school meals? How much School Clothing Allowance
They are school dinners for children between will I get?
the ages of 4 and 16 who attend full time The amount you may receive depends on
school. They may also be awarded to some which school year the child is in. For year 7
children outside this age range who attend full children it is £30.00 and for year 9 it is £25.00.
time school or nursery.
Please note that these are not payable
What is School Clothing Allowance? in respect of children who attend private
It is a benefit paid to help meet the cost of schools.
essential school clothing for children who
attend full time school in years 7 and 9.
All pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in
Do I qualify? state funded schools are eligible to have a free
To qualify you or your partner must be getting school meal. This will be called a Universal
one of the following: Free School Meal.
• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support
Allowance Funded early education and
• Guarantee element of Pension Credit childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year
• Support under part VI of the Immigration olds. Some 2 year old and all
and Asylum Act 1999 3 and 4 year old children are In Bolton
• Child Tax Credit only (without Working Tax entitled to funded early education
Quality early years education
Credit) and have an annual income of less (eligibility criteria applies for 2 year olds).
than £16,190
• Universal Credit - If you apply on or after Funded places are for up to 15 hours a week
1 April 2018 your earned income must be for 38 weeks a year or a maximum of 570
less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not hours per year over 50 weeks.
including any benefits you get) Some 3 and 4 year olds qualify for an
additional 15 hours per week, or 1140 hours
Please note: If your child is eligible for per year in total.
and getting free school meals at any
Working parents of children who are aged
time before 31st March 2022, they may
under 12 years (or disabled children under 17
remain eligible until this date.
years) can apply for Tax-Free Childcare and
receive a government top-up of £2 for every
What evidence is required and how do
£8 they pay into their Tax Free Childcare
I apply?
account. The money can be used towards a
You need to provide an up to date document
range of regulated childcare, including
showing that you are getting one of the above
nurseries, childminders, after school clubs
qualifying benefits.
and holiday clubs.
You do not need to make a separate claim You can get more information and
if you are already getting or have applied for make an application by visiting
Housing Benefit / Council Tax Support or Free www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
School Meals. We will use the information and For information about local
evidence you have already provided to confirm childcare providers, please visit
your entitlement. For more information contact www.bolton.gov.uk/fundedchildcare
the housing benefit service (see page 2).
15Do it online... www.bolton.gov.uk/doitonline
For the services included in this booklet, here’s what you can now do online on
our website:
Council tax • Report a change in circumstances
• Make payments • Make payments for housing benefit
• Register to view your account online - overpayments
see bills, other notices, payments and • Request a form
balances • Complete the income form or statement
• Change the way you pay your council • Request assistance to challenge or
tax appeal a benefit decision
• Set up or amend a direct debit or • Request help under the local welfare
change your method of payment provision scheme
• Request e-billing • Landlords can view tenant’s details
• Search for a council tax band online (where housing benefit is paid
• Make enquiries about your account direct) - see notifications, payment
• Report a change of address details and export payment schedules
• Apply for a discount or exemption • Landlords can report a tenant moving in
or out
Benefits
• Check whether you are entitled to You can also find further information
housing benefit or council tax support and forms on the Council Tax and
and make a claim online Benefits pages on our website.
• Register to view your account online -
see notifications, details of claims and
payment amounts
Large print, interpretation, text only
and audio formats of this document
can be arranged on request.
Tel: 01204 333333
Online contact form:
www.bolton.gov.uk/counciltax
Published March 2018 by Bolton Council www.bolton.gov.uk
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