Your Council Tax/Budget Guide 2020/21
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Your Council Tax/Budget Guide
2020/21
Contents Introduction 2 Our Council 3 Our Budget 4 Council Tax 4 Message from the Council Leader 5-6 Net expenditure on Council Services and Calculation of Council Tax Band D 7-8 Your Council Tax 9 - 10 How We’re Making a Difference 11 Further information 12 Introduction This guide provides you with information on the budget decisions the Council has made for 2020/21 and beyond, including how your council tax money is spent. Our Council Plan We serve South Ayrshire every day, providing services which make a difference to our communities. In 2018, we set a clear and ambitious vision of what we want to achieve in our Council Plan 2018-22. Our ambitions are set against 6 key themes: • Fair and Effective leadership • Closing the Gap - Reducing poverty and disadvantage • Grow well, Live Well, Age Well - providing health and care systems that meet people’s needs • South Ayrshire Works - making the most of the local economy • Stand Up for South Ayrshire - increasing the profile and reputation of South Ayrshire and the Council • A better place to live - an enhanced environment through social, cultural and economic activities The Council’s budget decisions for 2020/21 will target resources to help realise these ambitions. You can read more about our council plan at Our People, Our Place - Council Plan 2018-22. Making a difference every day 2
Our Council
The Council is led by the 28 Councillors elected by the people of South Ayrshire. There are eight
Council wards, each served by either three or four Councillors, depending on population size.
You can contact any of your local Councillors if you require information, advice or assistance.
Councillors are supported by Council employees who are led by the Chief Executive and our Directors
for People, Place and the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
If you need to contact the Council:
• Visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Email customerservices@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Call 0300 123 0900
Our roads and transportation service is provided by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA), which is a
shared service with East Ayrshire Council. To contact ARA about roads, lighting or bridges:
• Visit www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org
• Call 01563 503164
The South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership is responsible for the planning, funding
and delivery of a range of community health services and social work/social care services for
older people, adults, children and families. If you need to contact the Partnership:
• Email sahscp@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Call 01292 612419
Making a difference every day 3
Our Budget Each year the Council sets the budget to pay for the delivery of hundreds of services that make a difference to the people in our communites. For 2020/21, the money we have to spend comes from Scottish Government grant funding (£217.6 million, which includes non-domestic rates income), Council Tax income (£60.8 million) and the use of uncommitted Council reserves (£1 million). We’re spending £202.9 million on Council services and allocating £76.6 million Council funding to the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership - an increase of 2.93% on the previous year and a record-breaking level of funding. We’re also working to deliver an extended ten-year £362 million capital programme 2020/21-2029/30, which will make South Ayrshire a better place to live. Full details of the budget set by Councillors are available in the budget book. Council Tax For 2020/21, Councillors approved a Council Tax increase of 4.84%, which will raise Council Tax for a Band D property in South Ayrshire by £62.09 per annum - the equivalent of 17p per day. Band 2019/20 Increase 2020/21 A £855.25 £41.39 £896.64 B £997.79 £48.29 £1,046.08 C £1,140.33 £55.19 £1,195.52 D £1,282.87 £62.09 £1,344.96 E £1,685.55 £81.58 £1,767.13 F £2,084.66 £100.90 £2,185.56 G £2,512.29 £121.59 £2,633.88 H £3,143.03 £152.12 £3,295.15 Making a difference every day 4
Message from Council Leader Douglas Campbell It has been a challenge, but once again we have delivered a balanced budget which puts communities at the heart of what we do, and ensures we can continue to make a difference to the people of South Ayrshire every day. At the core of our spending plans for 2020/21-2029/30, is a capital investment programme which will see well over £362 million spent on our communities, improving education and boosting the local economy. I am proud to say we have a revenue (day-to-day) budget which ensures we are making the most of the public pound. I’d like to thank those of you who participated in the ‘Our Future – Let’s Talk’ consultation, giving us your views on our future spending. Your feedback has been invaluable in determining the direction of this budget. Your responses so far have underlined the importance of protecting the delivery of essential services. With this in mind, we have taken the difficult decision to increase Council Tax by 4.84%. This was not a decision taken lightly, but we are determined to protect as many services as we can in the face of further reductions to Council funding. In real terms, this means an increase per household of between 11p and 42p per day – depending on the Council Tax band of the property. An average Council Tax Band D property will see a rise of 17p per day. We have managed to avoid any closures by finding savings totalling £4.8 million, by using £1 million uncommitted reserves and increasing Council Tax. Of the Council Tax increase, we will commit 1.84% of the 4.84% to support schools and to avoid closing any facilities. Our proposed revenue budget is £279.6 million, which includes an unprecedented £76.6 million for the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, an increase of £2.4 million on last year’s commitment. The Partnership will also receive a further £8.3 million directly from the Scottish Government, meaning £84.9 million will be spent to ensure we have health and care systems which allow us to grow well, live well and age well. We are investing in services and new initiatives which are set to improve lives across South Ayrshire. This includes spending £75,000 to make sure our customer services team continue to deliver the best possible service in the face of increasing demand. We will also invest £75,000 to ensure that, as a Council, we are using local food suppliers and local produce more often. Over the next decade, we will spend a total of £362.8 million on our capital investment programme, £66.8 million of which will be invested in 2020/21 alone. We want our children and young people to have every advantage when it comes to learning, so this budget continues our investment in the school estate. We are investing £148 million over the next 10 years in education encompassing a new Maybole Community Campus, St John’s Primary school and Wallacetown Early Years Centre in Ayr. Learning in Girvan is set to be transformed by a new Sacred Heart Primary and there will be a shared campus for Glenburn and St Ninian’s in Prestwick. Throughout 2020/21 our refurbishment programme in other schools will continue. Making a difference every day 5
We have been working to expand early learning and childcare in line with Scottish Government targets, and our budget reflects this commitment. By investing £8.3 million, we will almost double early learning and childcare provision to 1,140 hours for all three and four year olds, and eligible two year olds. We are investing a further £2.3 million, to help close the poverty related attainment gap in our schools, giving our young people the best start in life. We have committed to a significant investment in our leisure facilities, making South Ayrshire a better place to live, and helping you to care for your health and wellbeing. This investment includes £36.5 million to be spent over the next three years on a new leisure facility in Ayr Town Centre. We have also allocated £400,000 for sporting improvements in Whitletts, £6.7 million for new sports facilities at Craigie and £825,000 for an all-weather pitch in Girvan. Our ambition to regenerate our town centres for locals and visitors continues. We have committed £825,000 to regenerate Maybole Town Centre over the next two years, in preparation for the completion of the bypass. In Ayr, the transformation of the riverside site is set to continue, with £5 million allocated to turn the bottom of the High Street into an events hub. We have also allocated £825,000 to bring the Ayrshire Archives Centre into the heart of the Ayr as part of the new Ayr Grammar development. We continue with our significant investment in the Ayrshire Growth Deal, with a total of £18 million available up until 2030, supported by £200 million from the UK and Scottish Governments. Our roads network is extremely important, not only to locals and visitors, but to commerce as well. With this in mind, we have budgeted an additional £2.5 million to help maintain and improve the network. This will take our 10 year commitment to £17 million. In addition to this, we will invest £3.2 million in street lighting, which includes upgrades to more energy efficient LED bulbs. We are continuing to focus spending on the things that really matter and will make the biggest difference in our communities. We are tackling inequality, poverty and disadvantage wherever we find them, developing strong partnerships to help us close the gap. Despite the financial hardships, we have delivered a budget which puts people at heart of the decision making process. We are standing up for South Ayrshire, and are determined to bring about a lasting legacy for future generations. This won’t happen overnight, but in the last three years we have made significant progress. Making a difference every day 6
Net
Net expenditure
expenditure on Council
on Council Services
Services and
Calculation of Council Tax Band D
(RESTATED)
2020/21
2018/19 2019/20 Band D D
Band
2017/18 Change from
Change from
Directorate
Directorate Total Net Net
Total Total Net Council TaxTax
Council
Total Net 2017/18
2019/20
Expenditure
Expenditure Expenditure Equivalent
Equivalent
Expenditure
£m £m £m £m £m £m % % £ £
21.410
19.577 19.869
18.931 (0.292)
2.479 (1.47)
13.09 446473
People
People 128.024
108.211 104.368
119.939 3.843
8.085 3.686.74 2,464
2,831
Place
Place 36.949
43.675 42.718
39.107 0.957
(2.158) 2.24
(5.52) 994817
Care (funding
Care delegated
(funding to South
delegated Ayrshire
to South Integrated
Ayrshire JointJoint
Integrated Board)
Board) 76.569
70.665 68.769
74.393 1.896
2.176 2.762.93 1,609
1,693
Transport Subsidies
Transport andand
Subsidies Concessionary Fares
Concessionary Fares 2.099
1.986 2.026
2.086 (0.040)
0.013 (1.97)
0.62 45 46
Miscellaneous Services:
Miscellaneous Services: Ayrshire Valuation
Ayrshire JointJoint
Valuation BoardBoard 0.866
0.697 0.697
0.697 0.000
0.169 0.00
24.25 16 19
Other Services
Other Services 1.875
(1.225) 0.630
0.478 (1.855)
1.397 (294.44)
292.26 (28) 41
Capital Charges
Capital Charges 11.761
12.827 14.000
12.187 (1.173)
(0.426) (8.38)
(3.50) 292260
279.553
256.413 253.077
267.818 3.336
11.735 1.32
4.38 5,838
6,181
Financed by: by:
Financed
Government Grants
Government Grants 174.952
162.839 156.797
166.705 3,708
3,868
Non-Domestic Rates
Non-Domestic Rates 42.718
38.299 38.861
42.462 872945
TotalTotal
Government support
Government support 217.670
201.138 195.658
209.167 4,580
4,813
UseUse
of Surplus/Funds
of Surplus/Funds 1.056
1.510 5.252
1.818 34 23
218.726
202.648 200.910
210.985 4,614
4,836
Funding required
Funding from
required Council
from Tax Tax
Council 60.827
53.765 52.167
56.833 1,224.23
1,344.96
South Ayrshire Scottish Average
Comparison withwith
Comparison Government Provision
Government for Current
Provision Expenditure
for Current Expenditure Council Band D
£ per
£ per
Calculation of Net
Calculation Expenditure
of Net Expenditure £m £m
dwelling
dwelling Band D Council
Band Tax Tax
D Council 2017/18
2019/20 £1,188.57
£1,282.87 £1,173.00
£1,251.00
used by Government
used by Governmentin in Gross Expenditure
Gross Expenditure 379.758
327.351
Aggregate External
Aggregate Finance
External Finance 4,842
4,593
(Government
(Governmentsupport)
support) LESS: Fees,
LESS: charges
Fees, andand
charges other
other
100.205
70.938
calculation
calculation income
income
Council Employees
Council (Full-Time
Employees Equivalent)
(Full-Time Equivalent)
Proposed spending
Proposed by by
spending
4,689 Net Net
5,061 Expenditure
Expenditure 279.553
256.413 At 31st December
At 31st 2017
December 2019 4,355
4,270
Council on comparable
Council basis
on comparable basis
At 31st December
At 31st 2016
December 2018 4,321
4,331
7 Making a difference every day Making a difference every day 8
Your Council Tax How and when do I pay? Direct debit is the easiest way to pay, and is quick and easy to set up. You can do this online at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/counciltax, or over the phone by calling 0300 123 0900. Full details on all payment options can be found on the back of your Council Tax notice. Who has to pay Council Tax? Council Tax is normally paid by the resident owner or tenant of the property. Husbands and wives, couples and joint owners/tenants have joint liability for Council Tax, and we can choose to collect the full amount from anyone who is legally responsible for it. Exemptions, discounts & variations Some properties may be exempt from Council Tax – for example, if they are unoccupied and unfurnished, or if they are occupied solely by students. You may be entitled to a 25% discount if you are the sole adult aged 18 or over in your home. If there is more than one adult resident, they may be disregarded due to personal circumstances, such as being a full time student. A Disabled Person’s Reduction may be available if there are special features or facilities in the property to meet the disabled person’s needs. Long term Empty Properties may be subject to a variation in the level of Council Tax due, of up to 200% of the charge. Full details of all exemptions and discounts can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/counciltax or by calling 0300 123 0900. Change of circumstances You must let us know if there is a change to your household circumstances that could affect your Council Tax. For example, if you receive a discount or exemption such as the single person’s discount, and the conditions no longer apply. Contact us online You can contact us online to tell us about a change of address, set up a Direct Debit, apply for Single Occupier Discount or request a copy of your bill. Please visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/counciltax . Making a difference every day 9
What if I can’t afford to pay? on a low income. The basic amount of reduction depends on your (and your partner’s) income, capital, personal circumstances and the amount of Council Tax payable. The Council Tax Reduction Scheme does not apply to water and sewerage charges. However, households with two or more adults may be entitled to a separate reduction in these charges of up to 25%. The reduction in water charges is applied automatically – where eligible – based on your entitlement to Council Tax Reduction. The Scottish Welfare Fund also provides assistance to people who are on a low income and are experiencing exceptional pressures, or are in a crisis situation. You can claim Council Tax Reduction and find out more about benefits at What happens if I don’t pay? If any instalment is not paid by the due date, you will be given notice requiring you to pay within seven days. If you subsequently default on a monthly payment, a further reminder will be issued. If you default on three instalments, you will not receive a reminder, and the full year’s balance will become due immediately. If you do not pay the outstanding instalment(s) quoted in any reminder, you will immediately become liable to pay the arrears and the amount due for the remainder of the year. The Council can take legal proceedings for recovery of the total amount due after serving a notice requiring payment of that balance within 14 days. If legal proceedings are taken, the Sheriff will grant what is known as a Summary Warrant against you. This will result in the addition of a 10% surcharge to the Council Tax outstanding and allows the Council to employ a Sheriff Officer to recover the arrears by carrying out an attachment and arrestment of wages, bank accounts, etc. Any expenses incurred by the Sheriff Officer are also payable by you in addition to the 10% surcharge. Money Advice A free, confidential, information and advice service is available to assist with welfare rights and issues related to money and debt advice. Further information can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ information-and-advice-hub/ or phone 0300 123 0900. Making a difference every day 10
How We’re Making a Difference
We’re providing health and care
Grow well, live well, age well systems that meet people’s needs
We’re investing
We’re investing £76.6 million
£148 million
over the next 10 years in
in the South Ayrshire Health
and Social Care Partnership
In the last 6 years we have invested
102 million
education across Primary,
Secondary and Early Years
into modernising our school estates
we deliver
1300
Closing the Gap
We’re working to reduce poverty
hours of Youth Work
and disadvantage
in Schools each year,
giving young people
Our Information and Advice opportunities to gain
Hub helped people get their qualifications out
benefits right, generating
£5.6m
with the classroom.
Modern
provide 80
for the local economy
We provided We Apprenticeships
for young people
16,000 each year
Young Scot National Entitlement In 2019/20 we helped
Cards giving young people access
to over 550 discounts in shops,
leisure facilities, restaurants and
14 young people
online stores as well as providing with additional support needs move into
16-18 year olds with discounted travel employment or further education through
our Supported Employment Programme.
South Ayrshire Works We’re making the most of our local economy
Our Trusted Trader scheme helps keep business
local, with a directory of local, reliable businesses,
vetted by our Trading Standards team.
Making a difference every day 11How We’re Making a Difference
We’re enhancing our environment, making
A better place to live South Ayrshire a better place to live.
The Quay Zone Belleisle Arrival Hub
Key Facts Key Facts
We invested £8.8m in the Quay Zone, We invested £1.8m in the Belleisle
Girvan which has given the community Arrival Hub, Ayr which has a café,
a 28m swimming pool, gym, soft-play exhibition space, public toilets
and café. and changing facilities.
Stand up for South Ayrshire Tarbolton Community Campus
Key Facts
We’re increasing the profile and
We invested £8.2m in the Tarbolton
reputation of South Ayrshire. Community Campus, which has a
large Flexible Learning Area and
Our monthly online magazine modern teaching spaces, a PE hall,
SAC Live
community library and community
rooms.
keeps you informed
We launched our Community
STAR AWARDS
in 2019 to celebrate the
achievements of volunteers
in our communities
We want a leadership that promotes
Fair and Effective Leadership fairness in our communities
We ask for your opinions and views
through consultations such as
‘Our Future – Let’s Talk’
and ‘Place Standard’
Making
Making aa difference everyday
difference every day 12Further Information. Further information on the following can be found on our website: Council Tax: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/counciltax. Non Domestic rates: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/businessrates/. Benefit Services: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/benefit-services/. Enquiries about the valuation band (domestic properties) or rateable value (non-domestic properties) including any appeals should be directed to Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL on 01292 612221 or assessor@ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk. Appeals Appeals on the grounds that you have been improperly charged should be made in writing to the address shown below within 28 days of receiving your bill. If you have a comment about any aspect of our service, or a suggestion about how we can improve our service, please let us know by writing to: Service Lead Revenues and Benefits, South Ayrshire Council, PO Box 31, Ayr KA7 2PL
You can also read
