Your Council Tax 2015/16 - ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED FOR THE COMING YEAR
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www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
Contents 4
|
What is Council Tax and who pays it?
5 |
How Council Tax is shared out
6 |
How we set your Council Tax
10 |
Who does what?
14 |
Your Council Tax by Parish or Town 2015-16
16 |
Your Council Tax Harworth & Bircotes and Carlton-in-Lindrick
18 |
Council Tax banding FAQs
20 |
How to pay your Council Tax
22 |
Discounts & Exemptions
24 |
Empty Dwelling Discounts
26 |
Council Tax Reduction
28 |
Online Benefit Claims
32 |
My Account - Sign up online
34 |
Landlord Information
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What is Council Tax and who pays it? The Police, fire and local services provided by County and District councils are paid for by Council Tax and Government grants, and in some cases, through charges for services. Council Tax is an annual charge based on property values and, in this area, is collected by Bassetlaw District Council on behalf of all four organisations. The Council identifies who is liable to pay Council Tax and sends out a bill every year in March. This can be paid over 10 or 12 instalments. Council Tax payment is the responsibility of owner-occupiers or, if rented, council tenants, private tenants and tenants of housing associations. Council Tax is also due on unoccupied and unfurnished dwellings. Discounts on some empty properties will change from 1st April 2015 and are explained in more detail on page 24.
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There is a local discount scheme for people on low incomes. Approximately 10,000 Bassetlaw households qualify for Council Tax reduction, but everyone pays a contribution to their Council Tax if they are working-age. This was part of Government Welfare Reforms in 2013. More information about Council Tax Reduction is on page 26. The amount of Council Tax for each dwelling depends on the valuation band a property has been placed in by the Government’s Valuation Office Agency. This is explained more on page 19.
How Council Tax is shared out Based on a Band D property, the following table shows how much of your Council Tax goes to each authority and the percentage increase from the previous year for each organisation. Band D comparison
Last year 2014/15
This year 2015/16
The % increase
Nottinghamshire County Council
£1,216.92
£1,241.14
1.99%
Bassetlaw District Council
£ 155.11
£ 157.44
1.50%
Notts Police
£ 172.98
£ 176.40
1.98%
Notts Fire and Rescue Service
£
£
72.44
1.96%
Total
£1,616.06
£1,647.42
1.94%
71.05
These amounts exclude the Parish charges. Please see page 15 for a list of the Parish charges for each property band.
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How we set your Council Tax Services provided by Bassetlaw District Council
Chief Executive Department Corporate Management Corporate Services Regeneration Neighbourhoods Finance & Property Housing Revenues & Benefits Sub Total Plus: other budgets Transfer to/from reserves Total Budget requirement
Gross Expenditure 2015/16 £ 1,061,900 1,686,300 4,355,700 4,517,200 11,271,900 5,376,500 1,699,000 32,768,000
Net Expenditure 2015/16 £ 183,700 1,297,300 1,313,600 2,380,900 6,782,600 165,100 1,080,500 715,800
Previous year Net Expenditure 2014/15 £ 204,600 674,800 1,322,700 2,402,700 7,139,100 383,900 1,082,000 839,300
62,736,500
13,919,500
14,049,100
7,084,600 590,300 70,411,400
2,323,000 348,200 16,590,700
1,102,900 -153,600 14,998,400
What are the significant changes? Bassetlaw’s planned expenditure for last year 2014/15 was £14,998 million. Significant changes are as shown in the table below £’ 000 Capital Financing Transfer (Worksop Creative Village) Economic climate effect on income Base Budget Review RPI contract increases
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1,420 60 95 18 1,593
How does the £16,590 million net expenditure requirement link to the Council Tax charge for 2015/16? We deduct any grants that we receive from the total net budget requirement above to arrive at a net amount that we need to raise from Council Tax receipts.
£ Total net budget requirement Less Grants received by Bassetlaw District Council: Revenue Support Grant (RSG) Retained Business Rates New Homes Bonus Grant Grants Received Parish Council Tax Reduction Grant Collection Fund surplus Total Grants and Income
16,590,700 - 2,800,500 - 4,173,500 - 1,590,300 - 1,720,000 - 936,700 - 134,300 - 111,500 -11,466,800
Net amount to raise from 2015/16 Council Tax receipts for Bassetlaw District Council Services
5,123,900 (rounded)
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Council Tax requirement for all area services We then ask Notts County Council, the Police Authority, the Fire Service and the 49 parish council’s in the district, what their budget requirements are for 2015/16 and add these together to arrive at a total we need to collect through Council Tax. Information about these services and their charges can be found on their websites, please see the links on pages 10 to 13.
Total Required £ Bassetlaw District Council 5,123,940 Total Parish requirement (49 precepts) 936,688 Nottinghamshire County Council 40,393,336 Nottinghamshire Police & Commissioner 5,741,000 Combined Fire Authority 2,357,585 Council Tax requirement 2015/16 54,552,549
Shown as Total of Required Band D equivalent £ % 157.44 9.39% 1.72% 28.78 74.04% 1,241.14 10.52% 176.40 4.32% 72.44 1,676.20
We divide the above total required (£54,552,549) by the total number of Band D equivalent chargeable dwellings known as the tax base. For 2015/16 this is 32,545.35 Please note: Actual charges may vary and are listed on pages 14 & 15 for each Town or Parish.
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www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
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Who does what - Police
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner t: 0300 300 9999 Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner: ● Is elected to represent the public and hold the police to account ● Sets the budget alongside local police and crime priorities ● Sets the amount of council tax paid towards policing ● Publishes a five-year plan to meet local objectives ● Puts the need of victims first ● Consults local people, ensuring action is taken in response ● Appoints – and if necessary dismisses – the Chief Constable ● Works with partner agencies to tackle crime and re-offending ● Ensures resources are available to balance local and national threats to public safety ● Ensures value for money. Detailed Council Tax information for Nottinghamshire Police & Crime Commissioner is available at:http://www.nottinghamshire.pcc.police.uk/Our-Money/Financial-Documents.aspx
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www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
Who does what - Notts County Council
Nottinghamshire County Council t: 0300 500 80 80 The Council provides a wide range of services, including: ● Adult social care and day ● Register offices centres ● Road maintenance, gritting and street lighting ● County parks and libraries ● Fostering and adoption ● Children’s centres ● Homecare and extra care for older people ● Landscaped public areas and cycleways
● Household waste and recycling centres and refuse disposal ● Secondary and primary schools and school crossing patrol ● The arts
● Bridleways, footpaths and rights of way
● Public health
● Public transport and pocket park and rides
● Trading standards
● Customer service centres ● Youth clubs and activities
Detailed Council Tax information for Nottinghamshire County Council is available at: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/counciltax To request a paper copy, please telephone 0300 500 80 80 or email enquiries@nottsscc.gov.uk
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Who does what- Bassetlaw District Council
Bassetlaw District Council t: 01909 533 533 Bassetlaw District Council Bassetlaw District Council provides important local services to citizens, residents, businesses, charities and voluntary groups. Services include: ● Community Safety, CCTV, tackling anti social behaviour ● Collection of household and trade waste, recycling and street sweeping ● Leisure, parks and sports centres ● Sheltered wardens schemes for the elderly ● Planning and development control, licensing and running local and national elections ● Car parks, tourism and markets ● Grants to support voluntary sector services eg CAB ● Economic regeneration, attracting businesses and jobs ● Environmental health, public health, food hygiene and pest control ● Housing needs, Housing Benefit and Council Tax discounts. 12
www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
Who does what- Fire & Rescue
Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service t: 0115 967 0880 Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service: ● Works with people to prevent fires and accidents happening, with a particular focus on those who are high risk ● Works with businesses to help them keep their staff, customers and property safe from fire ● Provides an emergency fire and rescue service using the best equipment possible ● Plans the frontline response it will deliver the event of major incidents ● Recruits, trains and develops its staff to a high standard and keeps them safe at work ● Manages its business and resources well, in order to provide a value-for-money service Detailed Council Tax information for Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue service is available at www.notts-fire.gov.uk/counciltax.asp e: enquiries@notts-fire.gov.uk
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Your Council Tax by Parish & Town 2015-16 The charges shown opposite are based on TWO adult residents. If only ONE resident, a 25% discount applies. (Council Taxes shown here include Bassetlaw DC, Nottinghamshire Police, Combined Fire Authority and Parish)
For detailed information of other major preceptors see page 16 & 17
Parish/Town
A
B
C
D
£
£
£
£
1,113.22
1,298.75
1,484.30
1,669
Barnby Moor
1,114.74
1,300.52
1,486.33
1,672
Beckingham-cum-Saundby
1,130.09
1,318.44
1,506.80
1,695
Blyth
1,134.37
1,323.43
1,512.50
1,701
Bothamsall
1,105.52
1,289.77
1,474.03
1,658
Carlton in Lindrick
1,161.61
1,355.21
1,548.82
1,742
Clarborough & Welham
1,124.37
1,311.76
1,499.17
1,686
Babworth
Clayworth
1,134.36
1,323.41
1,512.49
1,701
Cuckney
1,155.55
1,348.13
1,540.74
1,733
Dunham on Trent with Ragnall, Fledborough and Darlton
1,129.19
1,317.38
1,505.59
1,693
East Drayton
1,117.84
1,304.14
1,490.46
1,676
East Markham
1,123.70
1,310.98
1,498.27
1,685
East Retford Charter Trustees
1,099.23
1,282.43
1,465.65
1,648
Elkesley
1,136.17
1,325.53
1,514.90
1,704
Everton
1,120.31
1,307.02
1,493.75
1,680
1,673
Gamston with West Drayton & Eaton
1,115.60
1,301.53
1,487.47
Gringley-on-the Hill
1,139.34
1,329.22
1,519.13
1,709
Harworth & Bircotes
1,172.92
1,368.40
1,563.90
1,759
Hayton
1,127.52
1,315.43
1,503.37
1,691
Headon-cum-Upton with Grove & Stokeham
1,114.24
1,299.94
1,485.66
1,671
Hodsock
1,141.11
1,331.28
1,521.48
1,711
Holbeck & Welbeck
1,116.40
1,302.46
1,488.54
1,674
Laneham
1,127.47
1,315.37
1,503.30
1,691
Lound
1,116.13
1,302.15
1,488.18
1,674
Markham Clinton
1,120.55
1,307.31
1,494.08
1,680
Mattersey
1,122.59
1,309.69
1,496.80
1,683
Misson
1,123.27
1,310.48
1,497.70
1,684
Misterton
1,150.90
1,342.71
1,534.54
1,726
Nether Langwith
1,137.13
1,326.65
1,516.18
1,705
Normanton-on-Trent with Marnham
1,114.99
1,300.82
1,486.66
1,672
North Leverton with Habblesthorpe
1,137.37
1,326.92
1,516.50
1,706
North and South Wheatley
1,148.95
1,340.43
1,531.94
1,723
Norton
1,110.78
1,295.90
1,481.05
1,666
Rampton
1,118.17
1,304.52
1,490.90
1,677
Ranskill
1,122.93
1,310.07
1,497.24
1,684
If you live in parts of the Bassetlaw District where no parish levy applies, the last but one line of the table relates to you.
Rhodesia
1,108.20
1,292.89
1,477.61
1,662
Scrooby
1,121.67
1,308.60
1,495.56
1,682
Shireoaks
1,117.25
1,303.46
1,489.68
1,675
South Leverton
1,130.27
1,318.64
1,507.03
1,695
1,726
This covers residents in Askham; Bole; Carburton; Clumber and Hardwick; Haughton; Scaftworth; Wallingwells; West Burton
Torworth
1,141.63
1,331.89
1,522.18
1,712
Treswell-with-Cottam
1,108.67
1,293.45
1,478.24
1,663
1,768
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Sturton-le-Steeple
1,151.04
1,342.87
1,534.73
Styrrup with Oldcotes
1,140.27
1,330.30
1,520.36
1,710
Sutton
1,126.81
1,314.60
1,502.42
1,690
Tuxford
1,179.00
1,375.49
1,572.01
Walkeringham
1,133.44
1,322.34
1,511.26
1,700
West Stockwith
1,150.46
1,342.20
1,533.95
1,725
Wiseton
1,105.55
1,289.80
1,474.07
1,658
Worksop Charter Trustees
1,098.29
1,281.33
1,464.39
1,647
All other parts of Bassetlaw 2015/16
1,098.28
1,281.32
1,464.38
1,647
Last year 2014/15
1,077.38
1,256.93
1,436.51
1,616
www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
E £
F £
G
Parish Requirement
Parish Requirement
H
2015/16
2014/15
£
£
Annual Band D Parish charge
£
£
9.83
2,040.91
2,411.98
2,783.05
3,339.66
4,951
4,711
£ 22.41
2.11
2,043.70
2,415.27
2,786.85
3,344.22
2,767
2,961
24.69
5.14
2,071.84
2,448.54
2,825.23
3,390.28
22,428
18,886
47.72
1.56
2,079.69
2,457.81
2,835.93
3,403.12
25,626
25,635
54.14
8.28
2,026.79
2,395.30
2,763.80
3,316.56
1,000
1,000
10.86
2.42
2,129.63
2,516.83
2,904.03
3,484.84
148,202
148,014
95.00
6.56
2,061.36
2,436.15
2,810.93
3,373.12
15,000
15,000
39.14
1.54
2,079.67
2,457.78
2,835.90
3,403.08
7,600
5,900
54.12
3.32
2,118.51
2,503.69
2,888.87
3,466.64
6,502
6,438
85.90
3.78
2,070.18
2,446.57
2,822.97
3,387.56
9,946
9,488
46.36
6.76
2,049.38
2,421.99
2,794.60
3,353.52
3,315
3,194
29.34
5.55
2,060.12
2,434.69
2,809.25
3,371.10
17,948
17,328
38.13
8.85
2,015.27
2,381.68
2,748.08
3,297.70
9,215
8,924
1.43
4.26
2,082.99
2,461.71
2,840.43
3,408.52
12,610
12,485
56.84
0.46
2,053.90
2,427.33
2,800.77
3,360.92
11,650
11,650
33.04
3.40
2,045.27
2,417.14
2,789.00
3,346.80
6,226
6,283
25.98
9.01
2,088.80
2,468.57
2,848.35
3,418.02
18,983
18,983
61.59
9.38
2,150.36
2,541.33
2,932.30
3,518.76
201,000
199,000
111.96
1.28
2,067.13
2,442.96
2,818.80
3,382.56
6,800
6,637
43.86
1.36
2,042.78
2,414.19
2,785.60
3,342.72
3,572
3,407
23.94
1.66
2,092.04
2,472.40
2,852.77
3,423.32
34,759
33,018
64.24
4.60
2,046.74
2,418.87
2,791.00
3,349.20
3,404
3,438
27.18
1.20
2,067.03
2,442.85
2,818.67
3,382.40
6,152
5,058
43.78 26.78
4.20
2,046.25
2,418.29
2,790.33
3,348.40
5,124
4,934
0.83
2,054.35
2,427.87
2,801.38
3,361.66
3,140
3,140
33.41
3.89
2,058.09
2,432.29
2,806.48
3,367.78
8,604
7,143
36.47
4.91
2,059.34
2,433.76
2,808.18
3,369.82
9,864
9,394
37.49
6.35
2,109.99
2,493.62
2,877.25
3,452.70
55,000
51,000
78.93 58.28
5.70
2,084.75
2,463.79
2,842.83
3,411.40
7,956
7,587
2.49
2,044.16
2,415.82
2,787.48
3,344.98
4,630
4,258
25.07
6.05
2,085.18
2,464.30
2,843.42
3,412.10
19,256
18,878
58.63 76.00
3.42
2,106.41
2,489.39
2,872.37
3,446.84
20,011
19,059
6.17
2,036.44
2,406.69
2,776.95
3,332.34
948
926
18.75
7.25
2,049.98
2,422.70
2,795.42
3,354.50
7,855
5,571
29.83 36.97
4.39
2,058.71
2,433.01
2,807.32
3,368.78
17,900
16,700
2.30
2,031.71
2,401.10
2,770.50
3,324.60
3,148
5,000
14.88
2.50
2,056.40
2,430.28
2,804.17
3,365.00
4,574
4,396
35.08
5.88
2,048.30
2,420.72
2,793.13
3,351.76
12,679
12,383
28.46
5.40
2,072.16
2,448.91
2,825.67
3,390.80
9,000
7,832
47.98
6.56
2,110.25
2,493.92
2,877.60
3,453.12
15,000
13,562
79.14
0.40
2,090.50
2,470.58
2,850.67
3,420.80
14,992
13,629
62.98
0.21
2,065.82
2,441.42
2,817.02
3,380.42
10,957
10,741
42.79
2.44
2,092.99
2,473.53
2,854.07
3,424.88
5,131
4,033
65.02
3.01
2,032.57
2,402.13
2,771.68
3,326.02
1,887
2,146
15.59
8.50
2,161.51
2,554.50
2,947.50
3,537.00
92,282
90,261
121.08
0.16
2,077.98
2,455.79
2,833.60
3,400.32
17,971
16,900
52.74
5.69
2,109.18
2,492.67
2,876.15
3,451.38
8,553
6,016
78.27
8.32
2,026.84
2,395.35
2,763.87
3,316.64
458
539
10.90
7.43
2,013.53
2,379.62
2,745.72
3,294.86
112
2,531
0.01
7.42
2,013.52
2,379.61
2,745.70
3,294.84
6.06
1,975.19
2,334.31
2,693.44
3,232.12
see page 16/17
see page 16/17
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Other major preceptors Harworth & Bircotes Town Council and Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish Council each raise in excess of £140,000 as a Parish charge. We are required to give details of how they work out their requirements.
Budget of Harworth & Bircotes Town Council How Harworth & Bircotes Town Council have worked out their requirements from Council Tax for 2015/16
Expenditure Less other income Precept
2014/15 £ 308,950 (109,950) 199,000
2015/16 £ 317,629 (116,629) 201,000 (1% increase)
Budget of Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish Council How Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish Council have worked out their requirements from Council Tax for 2015/16
Expenditure Less other income Precept
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www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
2014/15
2015/16
£ 165,060 (17,046) 148,014
£ 164,570 (16,368) 148,202 (0.13% increase)
This Parish charge for Harworth and Bircotes will pay for local facilities including: New cemetery Developing the new town pond ● Completion of the neighbourhood plan ● Developing a new website ● Taking care of Snipe Park wood and returning it to it’s former condition ● Building partnerships with Surestart, the Police, Bassetlaw District ● Council and A1 Housing ● ●
Residents are invited to attend Parish Council meetings and have their say. You can find details of times and dates in Town life magazine and Parish noticeboards. For further information email us at: eoharworthtowncouncil@hotmail.co.uk
This Parish charge for Carlton-in-Lindrick will pay for local facilities including: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Taking care of the Youth Centre The village fete Play equipment Footpaths and bridalways Burial ground improvements Playing fields and open spaces Maintaining the community centre
For further information visit: www.carlton-in-lindrickparishcouncil.org 01909 533 533
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Council Tax banding FAQs Why is my house placed in a particular Council Tax band? The Government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has placed all homes in our area in one of eight broad valuation bands. The valuation band is based on the market value of the dwelling in 1991. These values and totals are shown in the table below, for 2015/16. The basis for your Council Tax band is the market value range at 1991 prices. These ranges are fixed by the Government and have not changed since the start of Council Tax in 1993. Bassetlaw District Council is not responsible for the valuations as this is done by the VOA. See page 19 for how to appeal to the Valuation Office if you think that your home is in the wrong band.
No. of homes Band A Up to £40,000
26,332
Band B £40,001 to £52,000 7,545 Band C £52,001 to £68,000
6,099
Band D £68,001 to £88,000
5,890
Band E £88,001 to £120,000
2,988
Band F £120,001 to £160,000
1,407
Band G £160,001 to £320,000
673
Band H Over £320,000
55
Total number of dwellings (as at November 2014) 50,989 (as at November 2013) 50,734
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www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
What do others pay in Council Tax compared with band A? Generally, the higher the band, the higher the Council Tax payable. The relationship to Band A for 2015/16 is shown in the diagram below.
A £
B x
C x
D x
E x
F x
G x
H x
11 6
11 3
11 2 15 6
21 6
21 2
3
£1,098,28 The fractions shown above are set by the Government and do not change from year to year. Can I appeal against my Council Tax band? Existing occupiers may need to show that there has been a material change to the dwelling or in the physical state of the locality. New occupiers have six months from moving in to lodge an appeal. Appeals are to the VOA. Making an appeal does not allow you to stop payment. If an appeal Valuation Office Agency, is successful, you will be entitled Listing Officer, Council Tax East, to a refund of any overpayment. Ground Floor, Ferrers House Castle Meadow Road, Please note - You do not need to Nottingham, NG2 1AB employ an agent to act on your t: 03000 501 501 behalf. Agents often charge high cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk fees based on a percentage of www.voa.gov.uk any refund you may receive as a result of a successful banding appeal. 01909 533 533
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How to pay your Council Tax Post Office Bill payers can pay at any UK Post Office (free of charge) by using the barcode on your bill. Take the bill and your payment to the Post Office who will issue you with a receipt. Cheques should be made payable to “Post Office Ltd”. Pay Point You can pay your Council Tax (free of charge) at any PayPoint outlet. Simply hand over your bill and cash payment and you will be given a receipt. By Post Send your cheque (not cash) to Bassetlaw District Council, Queen’s Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop, S80 2AH. Cheques should be made payable to Bassetlaw District Council. Always put your bill reference or name and address on the back of your cheque and state “CTAX”.
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Internet Pay by Debit or Credit Card through www.bassetlaw.gov.uk . Click the link to online payments. 24 hour telephone payment Pay by Direct Debit or Credit Card. Please telephone 01777 713 864 for this automated line and have your details ready. This line operates using voice recognition answers or easy push button.
Direct Debit Direct Debit offers you a choice of dates each month, plus 10 or 12 months options or weekly every Friday. You can sign up for Direct Debit online at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk or by telephone on 01909 533 234. Over 31,000 households in Bassetlaw now use Direct Debit for Council Tax payment.
Setup a Direct Debit quickly and conveniently set up or change your direct debits
Monthly instalments Council Tax can be paid over 10 or 12 monthly instalments, due from April 2015. Instalment plans paid over 12 months run from April to March and 10 month plans run from April to January. Please contact the Council Tax Helpline number if you are not already on a 12 month instalment plan and would like to change your plan. We also offer a weekly payment plan by Direct Debit, please contact the Council Tax Helpline on (01909) 533 234 for more details. Further details can also be found on the Council’s website at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk .
Where an instalment payment is not paid by the due date, a reminder may be issued. This could escalate quickly into a summons. Government rules limit the number of times a missing payment can be caught up before the whole bill becomes payable at once. For more information about what happens if you don’t pay visit the Council Tax pages at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk. If you have difficulty making payment, please contact us as soon as possible, and ask about extra support. 01909 533 533
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Discounts & Exemptions Not everyone has to pay the full Council Tax set out on pages 14 & 15. There are a number of ways that the bill can be reduced, these are detailed below. Single occupier discount A household with one adult occupier (over the age 18 yrs) is entitled to a 25% discount. This is not a means tested discount, it is given where there is only one adult resident. The Council will check discount claims with third party records to make sure that they are accurate. The Council may share personal information you have supplied for Council Tax with other council departments, the Police and other public bodies if this is allowed by law e.g. relates to the prevention of crime or fraud or the recovery of debt. Other discounts Even where there are two or more adults, you could still get the 25% discount if one of the adult residents is exempt.
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Exempt residents include people who are: Full time students and apprentices 18 or 19 year olds where Child Benefit is in payment Full time carers Severely mentally impaired sufferers In exceptional circumstances the council may consider a reduction under Section 13a of the Local Government Finance Act. Please visit our website for further information. Family annexe discount A 50% discount is available for people who live in an annexe providing it forms part of one single property with another dwelling and if they are related to the residents in the main dwelling. There are certain categories of family members who may qualify for this discount. This discount will also apply for people living in dwellings with annexes which are unoccupied provided they are using those annexes as part of their main residence.
Exempt dwellings Some unoccupied dwellings are exempt from payment, for example dwellings where the resident has died (until probate has been granted) and dwellings left unoccupied because the resident has moved into a care home. Some occupied dwellings can also be exempt from payment and these include dwellings that are occupied only by students and dwellings occupied only by residents who are severely mentally impaired. Empty dwelling discounts The table on page 24 shows the empty dwelling discounts that apply when a dwelling becomes unoccupied. Please note – These discounts apply to the property, not the person, therefore a change in ownership does not trigger a fresh period of entitlement to the empty property discount. The discount applies from the date on which the dwelling becomes empty.
For example, if a tenant leaves a property empty, the discount starts from the date they leave regardless of the tenancy agreement. Dwellings which are furnished but unoccupied are known as ‘second homes’, they are billed at the full rate; there is no discount for these dwellings. People with disabilities If your household includes a person with a disability, you may get an adjustment to your Council Tax valuation band. This applies where the dwelling has a room or extra kitchen or extra bathroom to help meet the needs of a disabled person. If there is extra space indoors to allow the use of a wheelchair this may also mean that a reduction is granted. The reduction is granted by charging Council Tax based on the next lowest band. Even if your household is in Band A, you can still apply for this reduction.
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Empty Dwelling Discounts From 1 April 2015 Amount of discount
How long does the discount/premium apply for?
What happens after the discount period has expired?
Requirements for discount/premium charge to apply
25%
Up to 6 months
No further discounts
Dwelling must be unoccupied and unfurnished.
0% (full charge)
Between 6 and 18 months
A 50% premium charge applies (see below)
Dwelling must be unoccupied and unfurnished.
An extra 50% premium charge is added to the bill when a dwelling has been empty for 24 months
Indefinite
Not applicable
Dwelling must be unoccupied and unfurnished
Other Discounts that can apply to unoccupied dwellings Amount of discount
How long does the discount/premium apply for?
What happens after the discount period has expired?
Requirements for discount/premium charge to apply
25% uninhabitable discount
Up to 12 months.
Either of the empty dwelling discounts (25% or 0% would apply depending on how long the dwelling has been unhabitable)
This discount applies to dwellings that are uninhabitable. The dwelling must be unoccupied, unfurnished and in need of or undergoing major repair works to make it habitable.
Please note The above discounts apply to the property; a change in ownership does not trigger a fresh period of entitlement to the above discounts. The discounts apply from the date on which the dwelling becomes empty. Dwellings which are furnished but unoccupied are known as ‘second homes’, they are billed at the full rate; there is no discount for these dwellings. The premium charge is not billed on second homes.
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Council Tax Reduction A full copy of the Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme is available on our website if you click on the Benefits Information/ Council Tax Reduction pages.
If you are on a low income and feel you will be unable to meet the payments of your Council Tax you can apply, to the Council for a Council Tax Reduction assessment. This is very similar to the old Council Tax Benefit which was abolished from April 2013 by the Government’s Welfare Reform changes. The new Reduction is a discount but it is still means-tested, that is we look at yours and your partners weekly or monthly income, savings, household details etc to assess whether you are eligible under the Council’s local scheme.
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There is also an entitlement checker on our website so you can work out if you may be entitled before making a claim. You can also claim Council Tax Reduction online by visiting www. bassetlaw.gov.uk and click on Make a Benefits Claim. If you don’t want to claim online or do not have access to the internet at home, please see page 31 for more information about getting help. Alternatively, we can send you a paper application form to fill in. We offer a free speedy 48 hour claim service if the form is fully completed and the relevant evidence of identity, income, savings etc is with the claim and you can come into the Worksop or Retford One-Stop-Shop where it can be checked and verified by a Benefits Officer.
The Government has made further cuts to the grant available for Council Tax Reduction, and as a result the most that we can award working age claimants is 90%. Pensioners and working age vulnerable households, such as severely disabled residents, can still get up to 100% as they are protected from the Government Reforms related to Council Tax Schemes. However, if you (and your partner) have over £16,000 in savings or other assets (excluding your home), no discount of this type can be awarded. Universal Credit If you start to claim Universal Credit you will get help with your rent from the Department for Work & Pensions, but you will still need to make a separate claim to the Council for help with your Council Tax. You may be awarded an interim amount of Council Tax Reduction whilst you are waiting for your Universal Credit decision.
Don’t forget to tell us about changes. Council Tax Reduction scheme claimants must tell us about changes to their circumstances. This includes changes to income, capital savings and people who move in or out of your home. We understand that times are difficult for some at the moment, particularly if you are unemployed. If your circumstances are not improving and you are suffering exceptional difficulties in paying your Council Tax, or you have received a reminder, please do not ignore this, contact our support team on 01909 533 710 who may be able to help you further. If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, ring 0800 328 6340. You don’t have to say who you are, but give as much information as you can. Remember - those committing fraud are taking money away from those who are entitled to it. When they are caught they will have to pay back anything they were not entitled to. 01909 533 533
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Online Benefit Claims
As part of the Council’s new website, you will be able to make a claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction online without having to visit our offices in Worksop and Retford. If you claim Universal Credit you can still claim your Council Tax Reduction on-line at our offices. We will still need further information to verify your details but by offering this digital service, you can complete the claim from home or wherever you can access the internet, and at a time that suits you. You can also upload scanned documents as evidence of income etc, unless we tell you that we need to see the originals. If you are not sure if you would qualify we have an entitlement checker on our website. This can also estimate the amount of some other benefits for you, e.g, Universal Credit. 28
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How to claim benefit online Go to www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/digital-services and click on make a benefits claim. What you will need to claim online We need the following information to work out what benefit you are entitled to, so you will need to have it ready before you start your online claim: • • • • • • •
Where you live and the total rent and council tax you pay (e.g, tenancy agreement and /or council tax bill) Who lives with you including adults who are lodgers What income you (and your partner) have, or have claimed. What savings/capital you (and your partner) have (eg, two bank statements) Wage slips if you are working Any money you pay out such as child care costs If you or anybody who lives with you has any disabilities
Please make sure that you have all the information and documents, including proof of your identity (and your partner’s) ready. You will need these to hand before you start a claim, but we will tell you what evidence or documents we need to see. In most cases we will be able to accept copies or digital images of these. It would be a good idea to scan or photograph your documents and save them before you start your online claim.
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What happens after you have made a claim? Once you have completed the claim, in most cases you will still be able to provide any further information we need by taking a photo of it or scanning it and uploading it as part of the claim. The claim may be delayed if this information is missing, and you have 1 month to provide everything, or you could lose out on benefit. Once we have verified that we have all the information we need, we will calculate your entitlement and notify you what you are eligible for. You will then receive a new Council Tax bill showing the net amount you must pay and the new instalments (if you pay monthly) Don’t forget to tell us about any change in your circumstances, at the time it occurs, otherwise you could be overpaid benefit or not charged the correct amount of Council Tax. If you have claimed Universal Credit you will need to claim help with your rent with the Department for Work and Pensions. Your work coach will tell you about this at your interview at the Job centre. Please see our Welfare Reforms page for further information about Universal Credit at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/everything-else/benefitsinformation/welfare-reform/welfare-reform.aspx.
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Can I get help to use online services? Nearly 80% of people have told us they already use the internet, but don’t worry if you need help to access services online, there are various ways that we can help you: •
We will be producing online guides to talk you through the process as part of the online claim.
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We will have an online chat facility where you can ask for help at any stage.
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Call into our offices and we will be happy to show you how to use this service.
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When you claim benefits online, call one of our advisors on 01909 533 710 and they will talk you through it.
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For help setting up a direct debit for Council Tax you can speak to an advisor on 01909 533 234.
Access to the internet You can get online at: •
Local Libraries
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The Council’s One Stop Shops at Retford or Worksop
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The local Job centre ( please note: Worksop Job Centre Plus will shortly be relocating to Queen’s Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop)
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My Account SIGN UP FOR A COUNCIL ACCOUNT What can I do with My Account?
With an online account you will be able to find out lots of information about all our services. Once you’ve registered and you have confirmed all your details this information will be stored securely and used to help you access all of our digital services without the need for you to input the same details every time you want to contact us.
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View your Council Tax information
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Make a payment for Council Tax, Business Rates or rent
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Set up a Direct Debit for your Council Tax
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Apply for and manage your Benefits claim
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Keep track of your digital transactions with the Council, for example: Report a missed bin or order a new bin Report flytipping Book a bulky waste collection
How do I sign up for an account? register with us at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk by going to “My Account” and enter your details - it’s that easy. 32
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Book an MOT
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Landlords will soon be able to view payments paid to them and tell us about changes through a dedicated landlord portal (please see page 34 for more details).
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Landlord Information Bassetlaw District Council’s website makes it easy for residents, landlords and businesses in the district to access our services. We are developing our website all the time. You will be able to find lots of helpful information about all of our services, but soon, you will also be able to: •
Access information about payments of Housing Benefit we make direct to you, on behalf of tenants. (If your tenant gets help with rent via Universal Credit, this will not be available as the Department of Work and Pensions will include this in their Universal Credit payment).
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Tell the council about changes in circumstances that affect your property or benefit payments.
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Contact us online for advice and receive a response by email.
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View a history of all contact between you and the council, made online.
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Find lots of helpful information about other council services.
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Access dedicated landlord information and events.
To access the Landlord portal, you will need to first register for a secure account (see page 32). This is important because payment schedules for Housing Benefits will soon only be available online.
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Contact us 01909 533 533 www.bassetlaw.gov.uk customer.services@bassetlaw.gov.uk Text us on 07797 800 573 Find us on Facebook - BassetlawDC Twitter @BassetlawDC Visit us at: Retford One Stop Shop 17B The Square, Retford DN22 6DB Worksop One Stop Shop Queens Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop S80 2AH All offices are open: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
If you need any help communicating with us or understanding any of our documents, please contact us on 01909 533 533. We can arrange for a copy of this document in large print, audiotape, Braille or for a Language Line interpreter to help you.