Council Tax 2009/10

Working closer with communities

Council Tax

2009/10 Keeping you informed | www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Key council phone numbers

2

0845 2000 101

General enquiries

0845 2000 101

Recruitment (jobs at the council)

0845 2000 102

Housing repairs

0845 2000 103

Envirolink

0845 2000 104

Council tax and benefits

0845 2000 105

Racial harassment

0845 2000 107

Payments

0845 2000 108

Families Information Service

Contents Elected mayor’s message

4

What you will pay this year

7

Council Plan themes Ambition

8

Growth

10

Quality of life

12

Value for money

14

Closer

16

Where your money goes

18

North Tyneside Council budget

19

Efficiency explanation

20

Other ways to pay your Council Tax

22

Benefits and exemptions

23

Data protection

26

Querying your Council Tax band

27

Northumbria Police Authority budget

28

Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue budget

29

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority budget

30

Environment Agency flood defence budget

31 3

Elected mayor’s message Dear Resident Welcome to your Council Tax leaflet for 2009/10.

This leaflet sets out how your council will run its business over the next year.

As you will be aware, we have decided on a 2.5 per cent increase in Council Tax - just 7p a day for a band A property or only an extra £24 a year. This is the lowest increase in Council Tax we have ever been able to set in North Tyneside and we have been able to do that because of the excellent financial position we have built up over the last four years.

We are well placed to deal with the current economic situation and to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available as conditions improve.

I do not believe in increasing Council Tax without good reason. This leaflet lays out exactly what we spend your money on I believe we are able to deliver a huge amount and we want to deliver even more.

We are determined to push ahead with our plans to make North Tyneside an even better place to live, work and play.

We will continue to invest in our borough and to work with our communities to deliver the services you tell us you want.

As elected mayor, I have made a commitment that your priorities should be my priorities.

4

Safer and cleaner streets We have, with our partners, reduced crime - targeting those areas you tell us are important to you. Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour is down and North Tyneside remains the safest place to live in the North East.

And we have launched an annual Big Spring Clean campaign to make the streets even cleaner and provided more estate wardens.

But we have plans to do even more. This year, we will be investing in our safer estates team, working even closer with Northumbria Police and continuing to crack down on illegal alcohol sales.

We will also be increasing the number of anti-litter officers and planting 2,000 more trees across the borough.

Education and youth facilities We have continued to invest in improving the life chances of young people. Exam results continue to improve, local schools are being built or refurbished and our Fuel4Kids free breakfast programme has been a major success.

Again we have big plans to do so much more, including the introduction of the Young North Tynesider Card, providing more play facilities, a new ‘multiversity’ on the North Bank of the Tyne and free broadband for all residents - connecting our young people to the world for free.

Fuel4Kids: John Harrison joins the breakfast club at Moor Edge Primary to see how the scheme is progressing.

Roads and pavements Residents tell me this is a key area for them and it’s one in which we will be concentrating our efforts, including a new participatory budgeting scheme.

We have already increased the number of 20mph zones around schools and residential areas. And we are working closely with Nexus to deliver many more affordable bus routes.

In our current budget, we have also made provision to finance two new bus routes and a community bus service to help people in our residential homes do their shopping.

Older people I am conscious we have a duty to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

We have already started the process of personalising social care - giving our older people the dignity they deserve. We have also rolled out the Warmzone initiative benefiting people in all our communities and our garden care scheme ensures people have pleasant and tidy gardens.

In the coming years, I am committed to further upgrading our sheltered accommodation building 1,000 homes and extra care units for the future of our older people.

The economy I know many people are concerned about the economic situation, which is why we have set up two task forces.

In the last four years, we have assisted 1,421 people into work, helped 466 new businesses and developed council services to make sure business prospers.

We also have very ambitious plans for the next four years, including a ‘multiversity’ on the North Bank of the Tyne and the regeneration of that whole area. This will include around 1,000 new homes in Wallsend, a new swimming pool, retail growth and the rejuvenation of local parks. This includes further development of the A19 highway and corridor creating greater access and jobs.

My goal is a positive future for everyone.

John Harrison Elected Mayor of North Tyneside 5

How to get in touch We want to make it easy for you to contact the council and that includes in person, online, by phone or email.

In person You can visit one of our network of customer service centres, located throughout the borough.

Staff can provide advice and information on a range of council services, including housing and benefit issues.

Our main centres are at the White Swan Centre, Killingworth; Unicorn House, North Shields;The John Willie Sams Centre, Dudley;Victoria Terrace, Whitley Bay and Park Road,Wallsend.

Online The council website - www.northtyneside.gov.uk - contains plenty of information on a range of subjects.

You can apply for planning permission, pay your council tax or report an incident of graffiti or vandalism.

You can also find the date for a council meeting or see what’s on at our leisure centres - page after page is available at the click of a mouse.

By phone If you have a general enquiry, phone 0845 2000 101. Staff at our contact centre can provide assistance on a variety of subjects. (See page 2 for other key council numbers.)

Email You can contact the council via: contact.us@northtyneside.gov.uk

6

North Tyneside Council

What you will pay this year Most homes are subject to Council Tax.There is one bill per home and it makes no difference if it is owner occupied or rented out. The Valuation Office Agency, not the council, allocates a valuation band to every home in North Tyneside.The banding is based on the value of your home at April 1, 1991. The property is then placed into one of eight bands. The council uses the valuation banding to work out your Council Tax bill. Your bill shows which band applies to your home. The tax levels for 2009/10 are listed below.

COUNCILTAX TAX BANDS COUNCIL BANDS Tax Band

Proportion of Band D

Value Range

A B C D E F G H

up to £40,000 £ 40,001 - £ 52,000 £ 52,001 - £ 68,000 £ 68,001 - £ 88,000 £ 88,001 - £120,000 £120,001 - £160,000 £160,001 - £320,000 Over £320,000

6/9 7/9 8/9 9/9 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9

Single Adult Council Council Tax Per cent Tax (25% Discount) Increase £ £ 966.73 1,127.86 1,288.97 1,450.10 1,772.35 2,094.59 2,416.83 2,900.21

725.05 845.90 966.73 1,087.58 1,329.26 1,570.94 1,812.62 2,175.16

2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50

Your total Council Tax bill is made up of the following elements: North Tyneside Council Valuation Bands (2.48% Increase) A B C 864.18 1,008.22 1,152.24

D 1,296.28

E 1,584.34

F 1,872.40

G 2,160.46

H 2,592.56

Northumbria Police Authority Valuation Bands (3.90% Increase) A 54.22

B 63.25

C 72.29

D 81.32

E 99.40

F 117.47

G 135.54

H 162.65

Tyne & Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority Valuation Bands (1.24% Increase) A 48.33

B 56.39

C 64.44

D 72.50

E 88.61

F 104.72

G 120.83

H 145.00

G 2,416.83

H 2,900.21

Total Council Tax (2.50% Increase) A B C 966.73 1,127.86 1,288.97

D 1,450.10

E 1,772.35

F 2,094.59

7

Ambition Ambition for the borough to ensure opportunities for everyone to have a great future.

During 2008/09 we …

8

●

Helped students in the borough’s schools to achieve improved pass rates at both A-level and GCSE exams.

●

Enabled hundreds of older residents to enjoy their gardens through our garden care scheme.

●

Launched the Families Information Service, which provides advice and guidance for parents, carers and young people on a range of subjects.

●

Helped residents to access benefits worth more than £1m through the Warmzone scheme, which tackles fuel poverty and cuts energy bills.

Taking shape: The new £20m Monkseaton High School nears completion.

During 2009/10 we will … ●

●

Begin work to provide five skills and enterprise centres for 14 to 19 year-olds and adults.

The centres will provide a pathway to improved skills and higher education.

Replace timber doors and windows in our council homes with new PVCu ones. This will significantly improve security and energy efficiency.

●

Continue with our multi-million pound programme to transform the borough’s primary and secondary schools.

●

Develop plans to provide around 1,000 homes in the Wallsend area through PFI funding. The project will include a mix of homes for rent and private housing.

9

Growth Creating economic growth supported by a growing population, strong infrastructure, developing employment opportunities and a resilient local economy.

During 2008/09 we …

10

●

Started work on a £4m scheme to provide a new bridge across Wallsend Dene. The bridge is due to open in the next few weeks.

●

Completed renovation work on the landmark buildings project on the North Shields Fish Quay bringing derelict properties back into use for local businesses.

●

Started work on the refurbishment of Whitley Bay Playhouse. We also completed the Waves leisure centre, skatepark and play park.

●

We opened the John Willie Sams customer service centre in Dudley.

£8m scheme: An artist’s impression of the new-look Whitley Bay Playhouse.

During 2009/10 we will … ●

Develop a co-ordinated borough-wide strategy for the regeneration of our retail centres, with an emphasis on North Shields in the south east, Forest Hall and Killingworth in the north west,Wallsend in the south west and Whitley Bay and Whitley Lodge in the north east.

●

Continue working with our partners to develop inward investment – attracting major employers and creating more diverse job opportunities.

●

Develop a strategic framework for the regeneration of the North Bank of the Tyne, from Walker in Newcastle to Smith’s Dock in North Shields.The project has the potential to provide thousands of jobs.

●

Work with Nexus to introduce community-based bus services in each of the four areas of the borough - providing better access to key services and leisure opportunities.

11

Quality of life Improving our services to make the daily experience of living in North Tyneside the best in the country.

Providing cleaner, greener, safer neighbourhoods, with plenty of places to go and things to do.

During 2008/09 we … ●

●

12

Launched our first Big Spring Clean campaign, which featured 30 community clean-ups and removed more than 1,200 tonnes of rubbish from our streets and open spaces.The initiative has now become an annual campaign.

Served 10 anti-social behaviour injunctions to protect residents.

●

Planted more than 190,000 summer bedding plants and 275,000 spring bedding plants and bulbs.

●

Launched the North Tyneside Year of Sport, which aims to get as many residents as possible involved in sport and physical activity.

Joining in: Young and old alike have taken part in the Big Spring Clean campaign.

During 2009/10 we will … ●

Complete the roll-out of new wheeled recycling bins, which are easier to use and store more material, to around 87,000 homes in the borough.

●

Begin work on providing 100 extra youth and play facilities, including four area-based youth centres, across the borough over the next four years.

●

Start the regeneration of the borough’s main four parks Wallsend Parks, Northumberland Park, Churchill Playing Fields and Killingworth Lakes Park.

●

Continue with our safer streets project to introduce 20mph zones in residential areas and around schools.

13

Value for money Getting the best value for North Tyneside to deliver the best quality and performance at the optimum cost.

During 2008/09 we …

14

●

Were awarded three stars the highest possible rating for our Adult Social Care service in a government performance assessment.

●

Launched our 5-50-500 environmental campaign, which includes carrying out energy efficiency audits on five council buildings.

●

Opened our new customer service centre at Unicorn House, North Shields - the latest in a network of centres delivering a range of council services under one roof.

●

Achieved efficiency savings of more than £6.8m - without reducing effectiveness - that can be invested back into better frontline services.

Three stars: John Harrison joins staff and residents at Dorset House to celebrate the council’s Adult Social Care rating.

During 2009/10 we will … ●

●

Give adults who require additional support from the council more choice and control over the care packages they receive. Service users will be offered a personal budget that will indicate the funding available to meet their needs.

Launch the Young North Tynesider scheme that will enable children and young people to access retail discounts, library and leisure services and concessionary travel through one handy card.

●

Continue the process of moving staff into our headquarters at the Cobalt Business Park increasing efficiency and allowing the disposal of surplus properties.

●

Continue with our Value for Money programme, which is set to save more than £100m over the next five years.

15

Closer To be the best local authority at working with its communities so that everyone is valued and everyone benefits.

During 2008/09 we … ●

●

16

Worked with older people in shaping plans for the £100m Homes for the Future scheme, which will provide 23 new sheltered housing schemes plus a cluster of bungalows.

Invited representatives from various organisations, including the police, voluntary groups and the business community, to sit alongside cabinet members and contribute to discussions.

●

Worked with young people, including skateboarders and rollerbladers, to design and build a new skatepark for Whitley Bay.

●

Developed our community engagement framework, which includes the residents’ panel and regular ‘area futures’ events.

Trailblazers: Members of Burradon and Camperdown Forum signed one of the borough’s first community agreements.

During 2009/10 we will … ●

Work with the borough’s new Young Mayor - the first in Tyne and Wear. The role of the successful candidate will be to make sure the views of young people are listened to and acted on.

●

Develop neighbourhood agreements with every community in the borough setting out delivery standards for the council and key partners and what is expected from residents.

●

Introduce a participatory budgeting scheme allowing communities to have a say in the work being carried out to improve local roads and pavements.

●

Work closer with members of the business community to improve the borough’s economic prospects and ensure North Tyneside is seen as a place where businesses can prosper.

17

Where your money goes How the money is spent 2009/10 £120m Ambition £5m

Growth

£146m Quality of Life £6m

Value for Money & Corporate Resources

Where it comes from 2009/10 £82m

Council Tax

£71m

Business Rates

£16m

Revenue Support Grant

£108m Dedicated Schools Grant Summary of Capital Expenditure 2009-2019 £505m Ambition £96m

Growth

£38m

Quality of Life

£42m

Value for Money & Corporate Resources

Summary of Capital Financing 2009-2019 £173m Borrowing £60m

Capital Receipts

£332m Grants £104m Major Repairs Allowance

18

£10m

Revenue Contribution (HRA)

£2m

Strategic Reserve

North Tyneside Council budget 2008/09 Gross Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

2009/10 Gross Expenditure £000s

Net Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

Net Expenditure £000s

EXPENDITURE 35,573

20,524

15,049

326

0

326

75,214

38,914

36,300

14,942

8,347

6,595

Central Services

16,030

34,407

18,377

327

0

327

Cultural, Environment and Planning Services

63,366

22,915

40,451

Highways, Road and Transport Services

16,510

8,083

8,427

Court Services

110,576

69,319

41,257

Children and Education Services

112,607

69,463

43,144

93,825

37,029

56,796

Adult Social Care

97,329

41,383

55,946

54,778

53,418

1,360

Housing Services

54,000

53,418

582

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

385,234

227,551

157,683

378,546

213,639

164,907

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

TOTAL SERVICE EXPENDITURE

3,026CR

Capital Appropriations Account

3,290

Contingencies

12,679

Levies

1,444CR 1,000 12,972

5,038CR ------------

Contribution to Balances and Reserves

8,443CR ------------

165,588

TOTAL GENERAL FUND NET EXPENDITURE

168,992

------------

105,034

------------

Dedicated Schools Grant

------------

270,622

107,725 ------------

TOTAL COUNCIL NET EXPENDITURE

------------

276,717 ------------

SOURCES OF FINANCE 520 79,874 10,411 105,034 74,783

Collection Fund Adjustments Cost Borne by Council Tax Payers Revenue Support Grant Dedicated Schools Grant Collection from Business Rates Pool

------------

270,622

394 81,968 16,246 107,725 70,384 ------------

TOTAL FINANCING

------------

276,717 ------------

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL RESERVES AT YEAR END 47,782

General Fund Reserves

99,137

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

6,370 £ 12,448,547 122,003 58,121 49,953 12,678,624

EMPLOYEES (FULL TIME EQUIVALENT) Levies Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority Environment Agency Tyne Port Health Authority Northumbria Sea Fisheries Total Levies

39,339 122,466 6,385 £ 12,710,316 146,290 58,121 56,982 12,971,709

19

Becoming more efficient All councils are required to measure and report the value of efficiency savings they have achieved since April 2008. An efficiency saving occurs when the cost of an activity falls, but its effectiveness is not reduced. The table below shows the value of efficiency savings forecast to be achieved by the end of March 2009:

By March 2009 North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority

£6,833,000 £1,028,000

To put these figures into perspective, the efficiency savings forecast to be achieved by March 2009 represent: ● ●

3.1% of North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council spending in 2007-08 1.8% of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority’s spending in 2007-08

The table below shows the value of gains forecast to be achieved by March 2009 for the average Band D dwelling and compares that with the average figure for similar authorities across England:

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority

Saving per Band D dwelling

National average for similar authorities

£109 £3

£110 £2

Each year, councils are assessed by the Audit Commission on their use of resources and given a score out of 4 (4 being “performing strongly” and 1 being “inadequate performance”). In March 2009, North Tyneside Council scored 3, recognising the strong performance of the council in making efficiency savings and improving services.

20

Telephone: (0191) 643 2355 or you can complete a Direct Debit instruction on line by visiting

www.northtyneside.gov.uk/CouncilTax You can pick when you want the payments to be taken.

Choose from the 1st, 8th, 15th and 25th.

If you choose the 8th or 25th you can elect to pay either 10 (April to January) or 12 instalments (April to March).

You can also choose to have a ‘payment holiday’ in August and December if you pay on the 15th of the month and make a payment in each of the other 10 months between April and March.

Working closer with communities

21

Other ways to pay your Council Tax

By Personal Visit Payment can be made in person at any of the council’s customer service centres. (See page 6)

By Debit or Credit Card You can pay your bill by Maestro, Solo, Delta, MasterCard or Visa, either: ■ ■

online at www.northtyneside.gov.uk/payments or by telephoning 0845 2000 107 - please have your card details and council tax account number ready when you call.

At any PayPoint Outlet or Post Office Simply take your plastic payment card along to any PayPoint outlet or Post Office.

By Post Postal payments should be sent to the Council at PO Box 694, North Shields, NE27 9AF. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to ‘North Tyneside Council’. Cash sent by post must be registered otherwise the council will not accept liability for any deficiency.

Please ensure you enclose the appropriate instalment slip from your bill when sending in your payment. A receipt for a payment received by post will only be issued if you ask for one.

By Bank Giro Credit Payments can be made at any bank by completing the appropriate instalment slip and presenting it, together with your payment, to the cashier. Please note that a bank may charge you a fee for providing this service.

By Bankers Standing Order To pay by standing order, please send an email to: team.revenue@northtyneside.gov.uk stating that you wish to pay by this method. You will then be sent the appropriate form for you to complete and hand in to your bank or building society.

Other Methods The council also accepts payment of Council Tax by weekly instalments at customer service centres.

For more details about methods of payment, telephone 0845 2000 104 or email: team.revenue@northtyneside.gov.uk 22

Benefits, exemptions and discounts

How to claim them Council Tax Benefit Scheme

Appeals

Council Tax Benefit ensures that people in receipt of income support, and without non-dependents in the household, will normally pay no Council Tax.

You can appeal against your Council Tax bill if you consider that you are not liable to pay the amount you have been charged. This may be because you are not the owner or do not live in the property, or because the property is exempt, or the council has made a mistake when calculating your bill.

Other people on low incomes may also receive help to enable them to pay their bill.

You can claim benefit by: ■

■

telephoning our Contact Centre on 0845 2000 104 and asking for a form to be sent out to you or by collecting a form from any customer service centre, (see page 6).

Completed forms should be returned to any customer service centre.

Don’t delay in making a claim. In normal circumstances, the council can only pay benefit from the Monday immediately following the day your claim is received.

If you wish to appeal, you must write to the council so that it has the opportunity to reconsider your case.

Making an appeal does not allow you to withhold payment. If your appeal is successful any overpaid tax will be returned to you.

For more details on the appeals process, write to: Team Revenue, North Tyneside Council PO Box 694, North Shields, NE27 9AF or email: team.revenue@northtyneside.gov.uk

Benefit fraud

housing and People caught making false claims for n jailed. eve council tax benefit may be fined or ing a false Anyone who suspects a person of mak fidence. con benefit claim can ring the hotline in Don’t ignore it,

REPORT IT

Fraud hotline 643 2300 23

Benefits, exemptions and discounts

How to claim them - continued Exempt Dwellings Some dwellings are exempt from Council Tax. Exemption applies to properties which: ■

■

■

■

■

■ ■

■ ■

■

■

24

■

■

are unfurnished (exempt for up to six months)

■

are vacant and owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months)

■

are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and require, or are undergoing, structural alteration or major repair (exempt for up to six months after completion of works or for twelve months in total, whichever is the shorter period) are left empty by someone who has gone into prison, or who has moved to receive personal care in a hospital or a home or elsewhere are left empty by someone who has moved in order to provide personal care to another person are left empty by students are vacant following the death of the occupier and where relatives are waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (and for up to six months after) have been repossessed by a mortgagee are the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee are empty because to live in them is forbidden by law are waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion

■

■

are a pitch for a caravan or a mooring for a boat which has been left empty are occupied only by people under 18 years of age are unoccupied annexes which cannot be let separately from the main dwelling are occupied only by people who are severely mentally impaired or who are students are occupied by a person liable for Council Tax who benefits from diplomatic immunity are the home of a dependent relative of a person living in a dwelling within the same single property.

Forces barracks and married quarters are also exempt; their occupants contribute to the cost of local services through a special arrangement.

If you think your property may be exempt, contact any one of the council’s customer service centres (see page 6) or telephone 0845 2000 104.

You can also download the appropriate application form from our website at: www.northtyneside.gov.uk/ counciltax/change_circs.htm If your bill shows that an exemption has been allowed, you must tell the council of any change of circumstances which affects your entitlement. If you fail to do so, you may be required to pay a financial penalty.

Discounts The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are a minimum of two adults living in a dwelling.

An adult is defined as a person aged 18 or over. If only one adult lives in a dwelling, the Council Tax bill is reduced by a quarter (25 per cent). If no one lives in a property, and it is unfurnished, the bill is reduced by half (50 per cent).Where the property is no one’s sole or main residence, but it is furnished, the bill is reduced by a tenth (10 per cent).

People in the groups listed below do not count towards the number of adults treated as living at a property: ■

■ ■

■ ■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

full-time students, non-British spouses of students, student nurses, apprentices earning no more than £195 per week and Youth Training trainees patients living in a hospital

If you think you may be entitled to a discount, contact any one of the council’s customer service centres (see page 6) or telephone 0845 2000 104.

people who are being looked after in care homes

You can also download the appropriate application form from our website at:

people who are severely mentally impaired people staying in certain hostels or night shelters 18 and 19 year-olds who are at, or have just left, school careworkers working for no more than £44 per week people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner, or child under 18

www.northtyneside.gov.uk/ counciltax/change_circs.htm

If your bill shows that a discount has been allowed, you must tell the council of any change of circumstances which affects your entitlement. If you fail to do so you may be required to pay a financial penalty.

members of visiting forces and certain international institutions diplomats, or people who benefit from diplomatic immunity, and certain of their household members members of religious communities (monks and nuns) people in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine).

25

Benefits, exemptions and discounts

How to claim them - continued People with Disabilities If you or someone who lives with you needs a room, or an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space in your property to meet special needs arising from a disability, you may be entitled to a reduced Council Tax bill. This may apply, for example, to a room used to house a kidney dialysis machine or to store wheelchairs.

The bill may be reduced to that of a property in the band immediately below the band for your property.

Special rules extend this form of relief to properties in Band A. Broadly speaking, these rules give a person with a disability living in a Band A property the same level of help as those persons living in a property with a higher band.

For further details of this scheme, contact any one of the council’s customer service centres (see page 6) or telephone 0845 2000 104.

You can also download the appropriate application form from our website at: www.northtyneside.gov.uk/ counciltax/change_circs.htm If your home has any special fixtures added for a disabled resident, which reduce the value of your home, and you do not think they have been taken into account in the valuation band given to your home, you should contact the Valuation Office Agency at the following address: Eagle Star House, Regent Centre Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3TW Telephone: (0191) 220 7000

26

Data Protection The information provided to the council by taxpayers, ratepayers, benefit claimants and other interested parties will be used for administering and collecting Council Tax and business rates, and for processing claims for Housing and Council Tax benefit.

This information may also be used as part of any exercise to make sure you are receiving all the benefits, discounts and exemptions to which you are entitled.

We may also use this information, where appropriate, for the effective and efficient administration of the council’s official business including the operation of any system used to manage our relationships with our customers.

We must protect the public money we handle, therefore we can use the information to detect and prevent fraud and to collect debts due to the council.

For the same reasons, we may exchange information with other organisations who also handle public money.

The information we hold may also be verified with external agencies.

Querying your Council Tax band If you have a query about your Council Tax banding or have reason to believe your Council Tax band may be wrong, please contact Newcastle Valuation Office, part of the Valuation Office Agency, the government organisation responsible for allocating a council tax band to every home.

Tel: (0191) 220 7000 Email: newcastlegroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk Eagle Star House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3TW. Further information about council tax banding is also available on the Valuation Office Agency website at www.voa.gov.uk.

If, after raising your query with the agency, you still believe your banding is incorrect; you may be able to make a formal appeal but only under limited circumstances.

Generally you can only appeal within SIX MONTHS of: ■ ■

Becoming a new council taxpayer for a property The agency notifying you that your banding has changed

You can also appeal at any time if: ■ ■

■

Your property has been demolished Physical changes have occurred in the proximity of the property, which have an effect on the April 1, 1991 market value Your property has been adapted to make the property suitable for someone with a disability.

For a full list of circumstances when a valid appeal is permitted visit www.voa.gov.uk or contact Newcastle Valuation Office on (0191) 220 7000.

You must continue to pay your Council Tax bill while you have any banding query or appeal pending.

27

Northumbria Police Authority budget 2008/09 Gross Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

2009/10 Net Expenditure £000s

Gross Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

Net Expenditure £000s

EXPENDITURE

323,770

49,448

274,322

-----------323,770 ------------

-----------49,448 ------------

------------

274,322 -----------3,500

Police General NET EXPENDITURE

339,445

54,322

285,123

-----------339,445 ------------

-----------54,322 ------------

------------

Contingencies

------------

277,822 ------------

285,123 -----------0 ------------

BUDGET REQUIREMENT

285,123 ------------

SOURCES OF FINANCE

33,775

Precept Income

35,085

243,839

Formula Grant

249,935

208

Constituent Authorities Net Surplus

------------

277,822 ------------

32,843 6,533

The changes in spending from 2008/09 are due to:

£m Inflation and other changes

+ 1.955

Net Service Increases

+ 6.151

Increased other Income

28

- 0.805 _______ +_______ 7.301

103 ------------

TOTAL FINANCING

Estimated Loans Outstanding at PREVIOUS YEAR END (ie, 31/3/07 and 31/3/08) EMPLOYEES (FULL TIME EQUIVALENT)

285,123 ------------

32,838 6,738

Northumbria Police Authority covers the counties of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland precepting directly on the collection funds of the Local Authorities within its areas.

For 2009/10 the Police Authority budgeted expenditure has been set at £285.123 million. This is £7.301 million higher than 2008/09, and a 2.63% increase on the 2008/09 budget.

The Northumbria Police Authority will employ 6,738 full time staff in 2009/10, an increase of 205 on 2008/09.

The Police budget for 2009/10 will ensure a continuation of the existing level of service, including the full year effect of the pay award and the growth proposals approved and implemented during 2008/09.

The revenue budget also includes growth of £5.317 million and efficiencies of £2.035 million, resulting in net growth of £3.282 million.

Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Authority budget 2008/09 Gross Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

2009/10 Net Expenditure £000s

Gross Expenditure £000s

Income £000s

Net Expenditure £000s

EXPENDITURE

64,969

6,197

58,772

554

554

0

-----------65,523 ------------

-----------6,751 ------------

------------

58,772

Fire Services Emergency Planning NET EXPENDITURE

------------

851 1,550CR

64,654

6,431

574

574

0

-----------65,228 ------------

-----------7,005 ------------

------------

Contingencies

58,223 ------------

491

Use of Balances

0 ------------

------------

58,073

58,223

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

58,714

------------

-----------SOURCES OF FINANCE

23,159 4,246 30,500 168

Precept Income

23,438

Revenue Support Grant

6,598

Contributions from Business Rates Pool Collection Funds Net Surplus

92

------------

58,073

-----------TOTAL FINANCING

58,714

------------

3,337 19,219 2,027

28,586

-----------ESTIMATED FINANCIAL RESERVES AT YEAR END Estimated Loans Outstanding at PREVIOUS YEAR END (ie, 31/3/07 and 31/3/08) CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority comprises members from each of the five districts of Tyne and Wear County and is responsible for running our fire brigade and for emergency planning.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority will spend £58.714 million this financial year. This is £0.641 million higher than 2008/09, and a 1.1% increase on the 2008/09 budget.

The contribution to fire fighting is £23.26 each for everyone in North Tyneside. This is an overall sum of £4,584,393 which is equivalent to £72.50 per Band D Council Tax payer.

3,337 19,089 2,110

The changes in spending from 2008/09 are due to:

£m Uniformed Pay Inflation + 0.770 Non-Uniformed Pay Inflation + 0.170 Other Growth + 0.891 (Including General Price Inflation) Pension Savings - 0.280 Capital Grant - 0.200 Efficiency Savings - 0.710 ________ + 0.641 ________ 29

Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority budget 2008/09

2009/10

£000s

£000s

5,499 10 4,278 99,941 _______ 109,728 _______

5,843 0 4,113 102,218 _______ 112,174 _______

15,314 724 _______ 16,038 _______

14,595 114 _______ 14,709 _______

9,805

8,752

Less: Utilise PTA reserves Less: Contribution from NEXUS Reserves

(97) 0 _______

948 1,595 _______

Expenditure Requirement Less: Rail Grant and Miscellaneous Grants

103,592 34,161 _______

103,674 33,028 _______

Levy on Authorities

69,431 _______

70,646 _______

EXPENDITURE Tyne Tunnel New Tyne Crossing PTA Expenditure Grant to NEXUS Total Gross Expenditure

INCOME Tyne Tunnel Interest on Revenue balances Total Income Add contribution to Tyne Tunnel reserves

The changes between 2008/09 and 2009/10 are due to the following:

£m

30

Inflation and other Cost Pressures Decrease in PTA/ Tyne Tunnel Toll Income

+ 0.169

Increase in Grant to Nexus

+ 2.277

Contribution from Reserves Reduction in Rail and Miscellaneous Grant

- 3.693

+ 1.329

+ 1.133 ________ + 1.215 ________

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority is responsible for co-ordinating policy on all functions relating to public transport and for operating the Tyne Tunnels. It comprises members of each of the five district councils of Tyne and Wear.

North Tyneside Council’s general fund budget includes a levy from the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority.

In 2009/10 this levy amounts to £12,710,316 which represents an increase of 2.1% compared with the 2008/09 levy.

The Passenger Transport Authority makes an annual grant to the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS) in respect of revenue support and concessionary travel.

Environment Agency Flood Defence The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood defence along 1,642km of main river, along with tidal and sea defences, in the area of the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee.

2008/09

2009/10

£000s

£000s

9,237

11,639

7,521CR

9,684CR

Less Transfer from balances

174

105

Levy on Authorities

1,542

1,850

Gross Expenditure Income (including Government Grant Aid)

North Tyneside Council will pay a levy of £146,290 to the Environment Agency in 2009/10.

Key Statistics North Tyneside Council

2009/10 Cost £000s

2009/10 Change %

Amount per head £

Total Expenditure

276,717

+ 2.25%

1,404.06

Revenue Support Grant Income

16,246

+ 56.05%

82.43

Income from Business Rates Pool

70,384

- 5.88%

357.13

Collection Fund Adjustment

394

- 24.23%

2.00

Cost borne by Council Tax Payers

81,968

+ 2.62%

415.91

Dedicated Schools Grant Income

107,725

+ 2.56%

546.59

Population

197,083

+ 0.43%

N/A

31

NTC Design March 09 | 1977