Your council tax

ctax 2013 20/03/2013 16:12 Page 1

Your council tax

my ... provides more than 140 services council Find out inside how your council tax funds them

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority

2013/14

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www.enjoymedway.co.uk

More collections More recycling

ly Week ns io t collec in later 2013

From 28 October 2013, recycling and organic (food/garden waste) collections will become weekly, the same as refuse collections, helping you to recycle more.

This will be better for the environment and save on the disposal costs of black sacks.

This enhanced service has been fully funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

01634 333333

www.medway.gov.uk/recyclenow

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Medway Council

About your council tax Medway Council, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority together deliver most of the local services in your area.

If you live in an area with a parish council, it too provides some local services.

This leaflet provides information from each of these authorities.

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority

The council tax you pay is collected by Medway Council on behalf of all the above authorities. The total amount is then divided between these authorities (see table on page four).

Did you know?

Medway’s council tax is the lowest in Kent

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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£887.81 £110.03 £52.85

£760.98 £94.31 £45.30

Total for Medway residents*

Medway Council

Kent Police & Crime Commissioner

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Service

C

£52,001 to £68,000

E £88,001 to £120,000

D £68,001 to £88,000 £120,001 to £160,000

F £160,001 to £320,000

G

£320,001 and above

£60.40

£125.75

£1,014.64

£67.95

£141.47

£1,141.47

£83.05

£172.91

£1,395.13

£98.15

£204.35

£1,648.79

£113.25

£235.78

£1,902.45

£135.90

£282.94

£2,282.94

£34.57

Stoke (£15,850)

£35.55

High Halstow (£38,540)

£39.39

£24.43

Halling (£36,150)

St. Mary Hoo (£5,780)

£13.64

Frindsbury Extra (£47,400)

£8.91

£36.41

Cuxton (£53,120)

£43.23

£18.51

Cooling (£2,320)

St James. Isle Of Grain (£26,649)

£15.25

Cliffe & Cliffe Woods (£40,185)

Hoo St. Werburgh (£37,974)

£53.73

£40.34

£45.95

£50.43

£10.39

£41.47

£28.51

£15.91

£42.48

£21.59

£17.79

£62.69

£46.10

£52.52

£57.64

£11.88

£47.40

£32.58

£18.19

£48.55

£24.68

£20.33

£71.64

£51.86

£59.08

£64.84

£13.36

£53.32

£36.65

£20.46

£54.62

£27.76

£22.87

£80.60

£63.38

£72.21

£79.25

£16.33

£65.17

£44.79

£25.01

£66.76

£33.93

£27.95

£98.51

£74.91

£85.34

£93.66

£19.30

£77.02

£52.94

£29.55

£78.90

£40.10

£33.03

£116.42

£86.43

£98.47

£108.07

£22.27

£88.87

£61.08

£34.10

£91.03

£46.27

£38.12

£134.33

£103.72

£118.16

£129.68

£26.72

£106.64

£73.30

£40.92

£109.24

£55.52

£45.74

£161.20

If you live in one of the following parishes you have to pay the parish precept shown. This is added on to the figures above.

Total precept for each parish is shown in brackets.

Allhallows (£44,310)

H

*Totals shown exclude parish precepts.

£1,050.69 £1,200.79 £1,350.89 £1,651.09 £1,951.29 £2,251.48 £2,701.78

£900.59

House banding

B

£40,001 to £52,000

Up to £40,000

A

How much will I have to pay?

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Medway Council

Where does the money come from?

In 2013/14 the money comes from: ■ Government grants ■ Fees, charges and other income ■ Council tax ■ Council tax freeze grant ■ Use of reserves TOTAL

£376.4m £82.8m £87.6m £0m £0.9m £547.7m

What does the council spend money on?

Mostly on education and schools. This is like most other councils that have a responsibility for education. The next area that has a large amount spent on it is children’s social services and other services for the community, such as care for older people. The cost of older people’s services is increasing because people are living longer.

Services 2013/14

Budget

Spend per day

Services for children

£190.8m

£523,000

Housing (including benefit payments)

£132.1m

£362,000

Adult social services

£80.8m

£221,000

Services for the environment

£53.5m

£147,000

Leisure and cultural services

£23.1m

£63,000

Public health

£12.7m

£35,000

Other council services

£56.1m

£154,000

Less: Better for Less efficiency programme

(£1.4m)

(£4,000)

£547.7m

£1,501,000

Budget 2013/14

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

my council

...will help me achieve my potential

19

Sure Start children’s centres in Medway

3 and 4-year-olds in Medway are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year

79

primary schools

17 secondary schools

Did you know?

6

You can apply for a school place online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions

Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

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Medway Council

my council

...helps me with my business Members can benefit from help with legal compliance, independent recognition and increased trade

GAPS

is Medway's apprenticeship support programme, helping SME businesses to address youth unemployment.

We've assisted

The

Employ Medway

programme has now helped

1000

150 10

people into work

apprentices since September 2011 Businesses can

benefit from up to

ÂŁ2,000

by

taking on an apprentice

Did you know?

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

businesses have now accessed Medway's Innovation Voucher scheme, giving access to expert R&D knowledge from the University of Greenwich

Medway Council offers start-up grants and interest-free loans to eligible businesses www.tiger20million.co.uk

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

my council

...helps me be independent is a free, 24-hour, seven days a week counselling service for carers

Did you know?

Medway has a free outdoor gym at Rainham recreation ground designed to help over-60s stay fit

FREE SWIMMING is available for over60s* to help maintain an active lifestyle

Remain safe and independent in your own home with our telecare service. Help is at hand 24/7, all at the press of a button * And under-11s

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Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

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Medway Council

my council

...keeps my neighbourhood clean, safe and green

24

COMMUNITY OFFICERS ACROSS MEDWAY

Did you know?

At least

30% of your household waste can be composted at home

5

parks in Medway have received a

Green Flag Award

- the national standard for parks.

Capstone Farm Country Park, Riverside Country Park, The Vines, Hillyfields and Broomhill

You can help keep Medway clean, safe and green by

reporting environmental issues like flytipping and graffiti through Love Medway: ■ website www.lovemedway.co.uk ■ Facebook page ■ phone app. Or you can: ■ phone 01634 333333 ■ email customer.first@medway.gov.uk ■ text 07725 202020 with letters LM at the start, followed by details and location of the problem.

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

my council

...helps keep us entertained

6

FREE SWIMMING is available for under-11s and over-60s to maintain an

active lifestyle

leisure centres

16

libraries and

2 mobile libraries

77 play areas, 3 skate parks

3 fitness equipment zones 9 multi-use games areas

Do you know?

Medway is hosting events and festivals this year

10

600

Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

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Medway Council

Council tax data protection and fair processing notice Your personal information will be held and used in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Medway Council will use the information you have provided in connection with the administration of council tax. Medway Council is also under a duty to protect the public funds it administers and to this end may lawfully disclose information to other public sector agencies to: ■ prevent or detect benefits fraud and any other crime and/or to administer claims for non-payment of council tax; ■ to support national fraud initiatives – the council is required by law to participate in National Fraud Initiative (NFI) data matching exercises. Council tax information may be provided to the Audit Commission for NFI purposes and will be used for cross-system and cross-authority comparison for the prevention and detection of fraud; ■ to protect public funds in investigating misuse of public money.

The council also uses basic council tax information about you, e.g. name and address, in other areas of service provision if this: ■ helps you to access services more easily; ■ promotes the more efficient and cost effective delivery of services; ■ helps recover monies owed to the council.

The council will not use your personal data in a way that may cause you unwarranted detriment. Any disclosure of personal data shall be made in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

You are able to see a copy of the information held about you. For further information about this please contact the Data Protection Officer by phone on 01634 306000 or by email dataprotection@medway.gov.uk or visit www.medway.gov.uk/ councilanddemocracy/performanceandpolicy/dataprotection.aspx

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

Key council services ■ Adult social services ■ Children and families, including education ■ Council tax reduction scheme and housing benefit ■ Community safety ■ Economic development

■ Environmental services and licensing ■ Highways and public transport ■ Housing and health improvement ■ Leisure services ■ Libraries

■ Planning services ■ Street cleaning and parking ■ Trading standards ■ Waste collection and recycling ■ Waste disposal ■ Youth services

Paying for big, long-term projects As well as providing everyday services, the council will be investing more than £76million over the next three years in long-term projects such as improving roads, creating and maintaining jobs, schools and council housing. The money for these schemes comes from a number of sources, including borrowing, government grants and selling surplus assets.

The council spends more than £547million providing services to Medway residents. The table below illustrates how this spending is paid for, together with comparative figures for 2012/13.

2012/13

2013/14

£548.733m

£547.727m

Less: Gross income

(£241.962m)

(£227.101m)

Budget requirement

£306.771m

£320.626m

Less: Dedicated schools grant + formula grant

(£207.691m)

(£233.061m)

£99.080m

£87.565m

£0.359m

£0.348m

£99.439m

£87.913m

Gross revenue spending on council services

Council tax requirement excluding parishes Plus: Parish precepts Council tax requirement including parishes

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Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

Medway Council

Changes in costs of services The council plans to spend more than £547m providing services to residents.

This table shows how this is spent, together with comparative figures for 2012/13.

Services

Budget 2012/13

Budget 2013/14

Services for children

£200.394m

£190.782m

Housing (including benefit payments)

£131.294m

£132.067m

Adult social services

£87.972m

£80.837m

Services for the environment

£52.922m

£53.478m

Leisure and cultural services

£24.541m

£23.077m

Public Health*

£12.713m

Other council services

£54.020m

£56.131m

Less: Better for Less efficiency programme

(£2.410m)

(£1.358m)

£548.733m

£547.727m

(£449.653m)

(£460.162m)

£99.080m

£87.565m

Total spending Less: Income from charges, government grants etc Council tax requirement

How is my council tax worked out?

Each residential property is put into a valuation band. There are eight bands altogether according to the estimated market value, as at 1 April 1991.

Band

Proportion of band D chargeable

Up to £40,000

A

6/9

£40,001 to £52,000

B

7/9

£52,001 to £68,000

C

8/9

£68,001 to £88,000

D

9/9

£88,001 to £120,000

E

11/9

£120,001 to £160,000

F

13/9

£160,001 to £320,000

G

15/9

£320,001 and above

H

18/9

Property value range

The council divides the amount of money it needs to raise by the number of properties in Medway.

This gives the amount each household pays. For example, in 2013/14 people with a property in band D will pay £1,141.47 (this is for council services only and doesn’t include the amount that is added on for police and fire services and charges by parishes). Charges for the remaining bands are a proportion of the band D charge.

* Responsibility for public health transfers from NHS to local authorities in April 2013

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

What is changing in 2013/2014?

A number of changes have been announced in respect of council tax for 2013/14.

Council tax reduction scheme On 31 March 2013 council tax benefit (CTB), which is a government funded scheme, will end and be replaced with a localised council tax reduction scheme from 1 April 2013. However, national funding for these schemes has been cut, and we have calculated this as a reduction of 18.9 per cent.

The government has designed a national scheme for pensioners, and following public consultation, Medway Council has developed a scheme for working age customers.

From 1 April 2013, any person of working age who needs assistance with the payment of their council tax will be able to claim a council tax reduction.

If you have a current claim this will be transferred to the new scheme and your entitlement will be reassessed.

However, no person of working age will receive help with all of their council tax and the minimum amount that they will have to pay is 25 per cent.

14

The Medway scheme will allow claimants of working age, who receive a war widow or war disablement pension, to be exempt from the restrictions of the local scheme.

Full details of the new scheme are available at www.medway.gov.uk/ ctssurvey If you wish to claim a council tax reduction please visit www.medway.gov.uk/mrbs or contact the Customer Contact financial assessment team using the details on the back cover of this booklet.

Council tax exemptions The government has announced changes to council tax discounts and exemptions that will apply from 1 April 2013.

As a result, on 24 January 2013, Medway Council decided that the following council tax rules will apply in Medway from 1 April 2013: 1 Empty and unfurnished properties will be not be charged council tax for the first three months. Council tax, at the full rate, will apply thereafter.

Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

Medway Council

2 Properties undergoing major repairs or structural alterations will not be charged council tax for the first 12 months. Council tax, at the full rate, will apply thereafter.

3 Properties which are unoccupied but furnished and properties that are no-one's sole or main residence i.e. second homes, and unoccupied furnished lets will continue to receive a 10 per cent discount for council tax.

4 No additional premium will be charged on homes that have been empty and unfurnished for two years or more. They will continue to be charged council tax at the full rate.

Please visit www.medway.gov.uk/ exemptions for more information.

Payment by instalments

Paying made easy Let direct debit take care of your council tax Setting it up couldn’t be easier.

1. Get your bank details ready 2. Phone us on 01634 332222 and by the end of the call it’s done.

• NO REMINDERS • NO HASSLE • NO WORRIES

HELP US TO STOP FRAUD Know someone who is claiming benefit fraudulently? Report it.

Free 24-hour hotline: 0800 0837049 Email: fraud@medway.gov.uk

From 1 April 2013 you can ask to pay over 12 monthly instalments rather than the 10 that has been the norm for many years. If you wish to change your account to 12 monthly then please ring us on 01634 332222 or email ctax@medway.gov.uk

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

Your questions answered What can I do if I’m unhappy about the band that my property is in?

You can appeal against the valuation by writing to The Listing Officer, Council Tax South, Valuation Office Agency, Second Floor, 1 Francis Grove, Wimbledon, London SW19 4DT or phoning 03000 501501. If you and the Valuation Office Agency can’t agree on the appeal, it will be referred to a valuation tribunal.

While my band is being reviewed, do I have to pay council tax?

Yes. If an appeal is successful you will be refunded any overpaid council tax.

Can I get help in paying my council tax?

If you have a low income or are unemployed you may be able to claim council tax reduction. Please contact the customer contact financial assessment team using the details on the back cover of this booklet. Please see additional details on page 14.

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While my council tax reduction claim is being dealt with, do I have to pay council tax?

Yes. If your claim is successful you will be refunded any overpaid council tax.

I live alone. Do I still have to pay the full council tax?

No. Single households can claim a discount of 25 per cent.

Are there any other discounts available?

In some cases a discount can be claimed by a household with two or more adults. For example, if they include full-time adult students; trainees; apprentices; 18/19-year-olds at school; those receiving or providing care; severely mentally impaired; long-term hospital patients; certain categories of prisoners; members of visiting forces; certain international bodies and closed religious orders. If your property has space for someone to use a wheelchair or facilities for use by a disabled person, such as an extra bathroom, you may also be entitled to a reduction.

Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

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Medway Council

Are there any exemptions from paying council tax?

Yes. Even if the property is furnished, you may not need to pay council tax if every adult in the property is a full-time student, under-18, or severely mentally impaired. Claims must be made when the property is first occupied for one of these uses.

You may not need to pay council tax for self-contained annexes. To qualify the property must be occupied by an elderly or disabled relative of the family in the other part of the building.

Elderly means aged 65 or over while disabled includes those with visual, hearing or speech impairment, or with a physical or mental disorder.

Can discounts/ exemptions be backdated?

Normally, we will only consider backdating a discount/exemption to 1 April of the preceding year.

In all cases there must be a good reason why your application is late and you must supply the relevant information/evidence.

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

Did you know?

You can pay your council tax online any time at www.medway.gov.uk/pay How do I appeal against the council’s decision to award/not award a discount/exemption?

To appeal you must write to Medway Council at the address on the back cover of this leaflet. You can then appeal to a valuation tribunal, if at the end of two months: ■ we have not made a decision; ■ we do not accept your argument; ■ we make a change you don’t agree with.

You should submit your appeal in writing to: Valuation Tribunal, Whitechapel Office, 2nd Floor Black Lion House, 45 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DU

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

Can the council charge what it wants for council tax?

No. Each year the government indicates what it considers to be an excessive increase. If a council increases its council tax above this figure it will trigger a local referendum.

If the local electorate votes against the increase the council will have to revert to a council tax level that is compliant.

Can the council choose what to spend money on?

There are some services that the council has to spend money on – it has no choice – that’s what the government tells councils to do to meet central targets. For example, spending on schools. There are other services where the council can decide how much it wants to spend and how much it can afford, for example leisure centres and libraries.

The council finds out what is important to residents and then it decides what to spend.

What else is included in my council tax bill?

Your bill also includes charges for services that the council doesn’t provide itself, like police and fire services, and, if you live in a rural area, a charge by your parish council.

There are 11 parishes in Medway.

Does Medway Council get to keep money raised through council tax from the police, fire service and parish precepts?

No. The total that will be raised from council tax in 2013/14 is £104million, of which Medway Council will get £87.6million. The remaining £16.4million goes to the police, fire service and to individual parishes.

If you don’t live in a parish, you don’t have to pay a parish charge, but everyone pays for police and fire services.

Save time by going online Council tax and housing benefit services are available online at www.medway.gov.uk/mrbs

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Pay your council tax online at www.medway.gov.uk/pay

ctax 2013 20/03/2013 16:13 Page 19

Medway Council

Key services provided by other authorities The table below highlights the key services provided by authorities other than Medway Council.

Kent & Medway

Parish council ■ Maintains local assets, including allotments; common lands; burial grounds; play areas; tennis courts; litter bins; seats and ponds ■ Parish councils are consulted on all planning applications affecting their area

Fire & Rescue Authority

■ Keep a relentless focus on cutting crime and catching criminals ■ Appoint a Youth Commissioner to bridge the gap between the police and our young people ■ Boost rural policing through a fleet of mini mobile police stations ■ Extensive use of technology to help victims track their crimes ■ Give you an opportunity to have your say ■ Hold various events where different groups of people will be represented and able to put their views forward

Get up-to-date news from Medway Council

■ Responding to fires and other emergencies ■ Rescuing people from road traffic collisions ■ Helping people stay safe in their own homes ■ Providing fire safety advice and support to vulnerable people ■ Helping local businesses protect themselves from fire ■ Educating young people about road safety

@medway_council

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Your council tax 2013/14

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ctax 2013 20/03/2013 16:13 Page 21

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

Breakdown of Police Budget 2013 - 2014

£’000’s

%

167.4

52.8%

Dealing with the Public

24.6

7.8%

Criminal Justice Arrangements

20.6

6.5%

Roads Policing

11.1

3.5%

Specialist Operations

16.7

5.3%

Intelligence

17.5

5.5%

Special Investigations

27.8

8.8%

Investigative Support

11.1

3.5%

National Policing

18.4

5.8%

1.5

0.5%

316.7

100.0%

218.1

68.9%

19.0 79.6

6.0% 25.1%

316.7

100.0%

Local Policing

Police and Crime Commissioner Gross Revenue Budget Financed by General and Specific grants Local income Police Council Tax Precept Gross Financing

Contact us Visit: www.kent-pcc.gov.uk Phone: 01622 677055 Twitter: @AnnBarnesKPCC Write to: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gail House, Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6NB

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Your council tax 2013/14

Kent Fire and Rescue Service - There when you need us For just over £1.30 a week (for a Band D property) – less than the price of a litre of petrol – Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) provides you and your family with a roundthe-clock, 365 days a year service.

We not only fight fires, but deal with a huge range of other emergencies from road traffic collisions, floods and explosions to chemical accidents.

We also deliver numerous community and fire safety initiatives to help reduce the risk of fires in both homes and businesses and prevent road crashes.

Bryan Cope, Chairman of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “I am pleased that we have not only managed to freeze council tax for the third year running, but we have also made savings that have allowed us to invest in front line services. To meet the changing needs of local people we must look forward, modernise and if necessary take tough decisions, but always with one end in sight – the safety of local people.”

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www.kent.fire-uk.org

Your bill Your Council Tax bill is made up of charges from the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, as well as other local authorities in your area.

These are the amounts that will be received by this authority for each property band.

Council Tax band A B C D E F G H

Annual Council Tax £45.30 £52.85 £60.40 £67.95 £83.05 £98.15 £113.25 £135.90

Proportion of Band D 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9

twitter.com/kentfirerescue

ctax 2013 20/03/2013 16:13 Page 23

Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority

Where your money goes Revenue budget

2012/13 2013/14 £’000 £’000

Employees

58,532

58,850

Running expenses

14,197

15,562

Capital financing

7,018

8,262

Transfer to reserves

1,205

-6,381

Gross revenue expenditure

80,952

76,293

Service income

-7,534

-5,357

Net budget requirement

73,418

70,936

43,494

38,263

Collection fund surplus

120

124

Revenue support grant

29,804

19,570

Business rate retention

0

12,979

73,418

70,936

Financed by: Council Tax

Our budget for 2013/14 As part of the government’s deficit reduction scheme Fire and Rescue Authorities are expecting to face average cuts of 25% in government funding over the four year period from 2011/12 to 2014/15, with the largest reductions in funding due in 2013/14 and 2014/15. In addition, the Autumn Statement also announced a further cut of 2% in 2014/15. Despite the challenging financial environment, this Authority continues to ensure that its budget plans support the objectives set out in the IRMP and Corporate

facebook.com/kentfirerescue

Plan. The medium term plans are business focused, service led and sustainable over the medium.

Day to day budget (Revenue) For 2013/14 the Authority has reduced its net budget requirement by just over £2.4m. However, to fund potential commitments and pressures of £1.9m, such as pay and price increases, this means that the Authority needs to find over £4.3m of savings, after using the council tax freeze grant income. Most of these savings will come from the Infrastructure programme. This means that for the fourth consecutive year, the Authority will keep its Council Tax at £67.95 (Band D property).

Capital budget In 2013/14 the Authority plans to spend £12.5m on capital assets, such as the development and new build of five new fire stations, property improvements and maintenance, information and communication systems, vehicles and operational equipment. The Authority pays for this work through a combination of borrowing, revenue contributions from the revenue budget, capital grants and receipts from the sale of property.

www.kent.fire-uk.org

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ctax 2013 20/03/2013 16:13 Page 24

Get in touch If you have any comments or questions about the information provided, please contact the appropriate authority:

Medway Council Visit: www.medway.gov.uk/mrbs Phone: 01634 332222 Email: ctax@medway.gov.uk Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Visit: www.kent-pcc.gov.uk Phone: 01622 677055 Twitter: @AnnBarnesKPCC Write to: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gail House, Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6NB

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority Visit: www.kent.fire-uk.org Phone: 01622 692121 Email: KFRSFinance@kent.fire-uk.org Write to: Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, Headquarters, Straw Mill Hill, Tovil, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XB

If you have a question about paying your council tax bill or claiming a council tax reduction, please contact Medway Council.

This booklet can be made available in other formats and languages, phone 01634 333333.

G8070 02 12

If you want to speak to someone in your own language about this booklet please ring 01634 335577