Welcome to your guide to Council Tax
We all use public services. Some are provided by authorities covering the whole of Hampshire, others are provided by local borough or district councils. Some of the funding for these services comes from government grants which include contributions from business rates. The rest is paid for by income from resources including your Council Tax and income generated by, for example, rents, investments and service charges. Information about the authorities funded by your Council Tax is included in this leaflet to give you an overview of the services provided. Part of your Council Tax funds services such as waste collection and kerbside recycling, street cleaning, housing, community and leisure services, provided by Winchester City Council. 2
Your Council Tax helps fund services from Hampshire County Council, such as: • support for children and families • waste disposal • street lighting and highways maintenance • care and support for older people and people with disabilities. Hampshire Police Authority, which is the independent body responsible for overseeing and funding the work of Hampshire Constabulary to ensure effective and efficient policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is also funded from Council Tax. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority also receives a proportion of Council Tax to prevent fires and other risks, to protect life and property and to respond to fires and other emergencies.
www.winchester.gov.uk
for 2011/12 For example, the total amount payable for a property in Council Tax Band D this year is £1,371.78. A summary of how your Council Tax is divided between these organisations is shown on your Council Tax bill and as follows.
£1,371.78
27
6.
£1
rity rity o o h t uth Au cil A n e e u u lic sc Co o e y P 88 R e . Cit d r i r n 7 h a 3 s te s p e m he 1 ,0 Fir £ e nc Ha r l i ci hi W un ps o m C ty Ha n ou C e hir ps m Ha
2 £1
ToTal Tax band d
25
. 46
These figures exclude parish precepts, which are shown separately on pages 10 and 11.
38
1 £6
.
3
Council Tax banding information Most homes are subject to Council Tax whether a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat and whether owned or rented. Properties are placed in one of eight bands (A to H) according to the open market value at 1 April 1991. Your Council Tax bill states which band applies to your home. A B C D
COUNCIL TAX AMOUNTS 2011/12
6,022,083 49,498,687
Hampshire County Council
6,974,971
Hampshire Police Authority
2,927,342 Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority
6,058,493 49,797,960
TAX BASE** BAND D £
47,980.46
126.27
47,980.46 1,037.88
7,017,142
47,980.46
146.25
2,945,041
47,980.46
61.38
27,900
983.86
28.36
PARISHES 27,900 0
Badger Farm Beauworth
2,750
Bighton
3,540
Bishops Sutton
322,393 13,000
Bishops Waltham
57.13
0.00
169.29
17.72
3,540
218.91
16.17
335,304
2,720.88
123.23
15,000
246.66
60.81
Bramdean & Hinton Ampner
5,000
216.25
23.12
9,000
Cheriton
9,000
308.12
29.21
0 122,415 27,170 9,800
Boarhunt
0 3,000
5,000
Chilcomb Colden Common Compton & Shawford Corhampton & Meonstoke
0
56.87
0.00
132,000
1,587.56
83.15
27,170
831.30
32.68
9,800
389.93
25.13
12,500
Crawley
13,000
220.79
58.88
18,000
Curdridge
22,000
633.74
34.71
£52,001 _ £68,000 £68,001 _ £88,000
331,189
Denmead
335,665
2,783.52
120.59
10,000
Droxford
10,000
332.24
30.10
15,500
Durley
17,500
472.94
37.00
675
128.48
5.25
20,000
510.03
39.21
F G
£160,001 _ £320,000
H
£320,001 and over
140 14,000 3,500 30,000 2,200 13,820 3,600 109,640
4
Winchester City Council
2011/12 DEMAND/ PRECEPT * £
up to £40,000 £40,001 _ £52,000
£88,001 _ £120,000 £120,001 _ £160,000
E
2010/11 DEMAND/ PRECEPT * £
Exton Hambledon Headbourne Worthy Hursley Itchen Stoke & Ovington Itchen Valley Kilmeston Kings Worthy
3,850
230.84
16.68
29,000
422.19
68.69
2,200
125.77
17.49
14,250
726.27
19.62
3,600
133.00
27.07
111,845
1,827.02
61.22 38.65
58,750
Littleton & Harestock
58,750
1,520.13
40,000
Micheldever
43,000
625.07
68.79
245,000
New Alresford
246,000
2,314.40
106.29
www.winchester.gov.uk
2010/11 DEMAND/ PRECEPT* £
COUNCIL TAX AMOUNTS 2011/12
3,380
Northington
2011/12 DEMAND/ PRECEPT * £
3,380
TAX BASE** BAND D £
125.65
26.90
9,000
Old Alresford
9,450
261.51
36.14
24,000
Olivers Battery
24,600
755.24
32.57
26,682
Otterbourne
29,227
694.54
42.08
17,000
Owslebury
18,000
380.22
47.34
84,985
Shedfield
85,701
1,639.01
52.29
27,000
Soberton
27,000
824.80
32.74
64,597
South Wonston
67,626
1,178.88
57.36
11,700
Southwick & Widley
12,700
282.36
44.98
Sparsholt
12,750
304.30
41.90
113,000
Swanmore
113,000
1,306.63
86.48
3,500
Tichborne
3,500
85.95
40.72
6,353
45,000
Twyford
50,000
722.91
69.16
12,250
Upham
14,000
321.27
43.58
950
110.88
8.57
21,320
380.34
56.06
950
Warnford
20,705
West Meon
50,189
Whiteley
75,929
1,287.34
58.98
100,797
Wickham
108,413
1,770.41
61.24
26,000
Wonston
26,000
597.09
43.54
868,165
14,157.94
61.32
863,506
Winchester Town
* Demand/Precept – the amount of money to be collected by the council for its own purposes and for Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Police Authority, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority and parish councils. ** Tax Base – the total number of banded properties equated to Band D.
The Council Tax level Winchester City Council has set a Band D Council Tax of £126.27 for 2011/12 to meet the estimates of expenditure for services administered by the council. This is an increase of 0% over the previous year. 5
The cost of services 2010/11 GROSS COST INCOME £'000 £'000
2011/12 NET COST £'000
SERVICE
GROSS COST £'000
INCOME £'000
NET COST £'000
23,404 23,404
0
Council Housing
25,009
25,009
0
24,389 23,925
464
Housing Benefits
26,351
25,908
442
2,498
178
2,319
Other Housing Services
1,044
213
831
5,458 5,864
6,197
-739
Highways and Transport
4,061
5,831
-1,770
2,245
3,619
Planning and Development
5,205
3,528
1,677
4,827
822
4,005
Cultural and Related Services
3,909
547
3,362
6,752
877
5,876
Environment and Regulatory
6,341
787
5,553
2,955
4
2,951
Corporate and Democratic Core
2,821
4
2,817
Central Services to the Public: 6,258
5,868
390
1,086
354
731
1,353
365
988
-2,351
3,719
-6,069
Interest and Other Operating Income & Expenditure
82,494 67,958
14,536
Total Operational Expenditure
567
-480
82,581 68,525
87
14,056 2,098 16,154
0
Council Tax Benefits
5,810
5,795
16
Council Tax and Rate Collection
1,027
354
673
1,230
308
923
Other Central Services to the Public
Contributions to and from General Fund Reserves TOTALS Parish Precepts Budget Requirement
2,015
4,628
-2,614
84,822
72,913
11,909
417
763
-345
85,239
73,675
11,564 2,203 13,767
Financed by: Non-ringfenced Government Grants and non-domestic rates -6,124
Non Domestic Rates Redistribution
-3,543
-889
Revenue Support Grant
-1,095
-119
Non-specific Government Grants
-38 -8,984 -864
Winchester Town charge
0 9,129 -868
-2,098
Precepts levied by parishes
-2,203
-6,022
Winchester District charge
-6,058
-8,984
6
Surplus on Collection Fund Council Tax requirement
0
Total Council Tax
-9,129
www.winchester.gov.uk
Why is spending different from last year? Net revenue expenditure on services provided by the council will reduce next year by £2.49m as shown below: £'000
Net expenditure 2010/11
14,056
Growth - increase in net expenditure
1,235
Savings - reduction in net expenditure
-1,771
Concessionary Fares Scheme - transfer to County -1,070 New homes and affordable homes bonus
-548
South Downs National Park reimbursement
-419
Inflation on gross expenditure
460
Other
-379
Net expenditure 2011/12
11,564
Parish council revenue budgets A parish council whose precept exceeds £140,000 must publish details of its expenditure plans. The following information has been supplied by the relevant parish councils: Bishops Waltham Parish Council
2010/11
2011/12
Budget requirement
£395,578
£420,777
Precept
£322,393
£335,304
£118.59
£123.23
Tax Band D equivalent Denmead Parish Council
Budget requirement
£349,116
£343,595
Precept
£331,189
£335,665
£121.97
£120.59
Budget requirement
£255,571
£259,571
Precept
£245,000
£246,000
£106.66
£106.29
Tax Band D equivalent New Alresford Town Council
Tax Band D equivalent
If you would like any further information on parish precepts please contact the relevant parish council. Contact details are shown on the council’s website – www.winchester.gov.uk.
7
Appeals Council Tax valuations are based on the value of a property if it had been sold on 1 April 1991. You may appeal against the valuation if: you believe there has been a
material increase or reduction in the value (see below); you start or stop using part of your
home for business, or the balance between business and domestic use changes; the Listing Officer has altered the
banding; you become the new Council Tax
payer for a property. You must appeal within six months, but if the same appeal has already been heard by a Valuation Tribunal it will not be considered again. A material increase in value may result from building, engineering, or other work, carried out on the property. Revaluation takes place after a sale, so the appellant would usually be the new owner or resident. A material reduction in value may be caused by demolition of any part of the property, any change in the physical state of the local area or an adaptation to make the dwelling suitable for 8
someone with a disability. Revaluation should take place as soon as possible. Appeals should be sent to: Listing Officer, Valuation Office Agency, 2nd Floor, Overline House, Central Station Blechynden Terrace, Southampton, SO15 1GW. You may also appeal to Winchester City Council if you believe: you are not liable to pay Council Tax because your property is exempt; there has been a mistake in calculating your bill. You must still pay Council Tax while an appeal is pending. If the appeal is successful you will receive a full refund.
People with disabilities You may be entitled to a reduction if you, or someone who lives with you, needs a room, an extra bathroom, kitchen or extra space to meet special needs because of a disability. The bill will be reduced to the band immediately below your property’s band. Band A properties also qualify for this reduction which will be equal to one-sixth of the Band A charge. If special fixtures have been added for a disabled resident and reduce the value of your home contact the Listing Officer.
www.winchester.gov.uk
Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions If you receive a discount or an exemption on your Council Tax you have a duty to advise the council of any change in your circumstances that affects your entitlement. Discounts or exemptions which have been incorrectly claimed affect the level of the Council Tax and the Council’s entitlement to a grant from Central Government. Because of this the Council has a duty to review the entitlement of discounts and exemptions. As part of the Council’s reviews on ‘single person discounts’ an exercise in crossmatching Council Tax records with the Electoral Register is carried out by the Audit Commission on data held by this Council every two years. The data matching exercise forms part of a large National Fraud Initiative and any mismatches between Council Tax and the Electoral Register data is provided to the Council for further investigation. However, it is also good practice to undertake a review which is not confined to a match of Electoral Register information. The Council intends to carry out a detailed review of single person discounts starting in May 2011 using an external company. This company will employ a residency checker service from a third party to establish the legitimacy of
an occupant at a property. They will provide information to the Council which identifies other potential occupants in the property who are not already known to the Council. In the cases where an inaccuracy in occupants at a property is established it will lead to the removal of the single person discount. In most of these cases this is likely to be from the date the discount was awarded.
Exempt properties Some dwellings, including empty properties and those occupied only by students, are exempt. These include empty properties that are: Class A undergoing or in need of structural alteration or major repair (exempt for up to twelve months) Class B owned by a charity (exempt for six months) Class C unfurnished (exempt for six months) Class D left empty by someone who has been sent to prison Class E & I left empty by someone who is receiving care in a hospital, residential home or elsewhere Class F waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (and for up to six months afterwards) Class G empty because occupation is prohibited by law Class H waiting to be occupied by a Minister of Religion 9
Class J left empty by someone who is caring for another person Class K left empty by students Class L repossessed Class Q the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee Class R empty caravan pitches or boat moorings Class T empty granny annexes Properties can also be exempt when occupied: Class M & N only by students, including halls of residence Class O as Armed Forces barracks and married quarters. These are also exempt, but occupants will contribute to the cost of local services through a special arrangement Class P by visiting forces Class S only by persons under eighteen Class U by persons who are severely mentally impaired Class V by diplomats Class W and it forms part of a single property and is occupied by a dependent relative of a person who is resident in that property
Discounts The full Council Tax bill is based on two adults (18 years and over) living in a property. If one adult lives alone they will be entitled to a reduction of 25%. If a property is empty (no one’s main 10
home and unfurnished) the bill will be reduced by 50%. If a property is a second home (no one’s main home and furnished) the bill will be reduced by 10%. If the dwelling is job-related then please contact the Local Taxes Section of the council for further information. Some people will be disregarded when counting the number of resident adults: full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and those on various government training schemes; patients resident in hospital; residents of care homes; 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; care workers on low pay, usually charity workers; people caring for someone with a disability, who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18; members of visiting forces and certain international institutions; members of religious communities (monks and nuns); prisoners (except those in jail for nonpayment of Council Tax or a fine).
www.winchester.gov.uk
What action is taken if I do not pay my Council Tax? Council Tax payments are due on the 1st of each month unless you have chosen to pay by direct debit on the 5th, 15th or 25th of the month. Your bill will detail your chosen method of payment and instalments. You must pay by the instalment dates shown on your bill to avoid recovery action being taken against you. If you are having problems paying on time it is advisable to contact us immediately to discuss this. A Reminder notice is issued 1st time you miss, pay late or pay part of an instalment Not paid within 7 days, Court Summons issued for whole balance (any right to instalments is lost)
Paid within 7 days, 2nd Reminder issued the next time you miss, pay late or only pay part of an instalment
Not paid by court date, Costs added A liability order is obtained allowing the Council to take further action if not paid within 14 days. Debt will be sent to Bailiffs if no payment is received.
Paid within 7 days, Final Notice issued the next time you miss, pay late or only pay part of an instalment. The whole balance becomes due for that period of charge.
Council Tax Benefits There are two main forms of Council Tax Benefit. Main Council Tax Benefit is normally available to people on low incomes and there are extra allowances (up to 100% reduction) for: one-parent families; families with children; pensioners; people with disabilities. Second Adult Rebate applies if you are
the only liable person for Council Tax in a household, but share the home with one or more persons. You may be able to claim a rebate if someone over 18 shares the home and is: not paying you rent; not your spouse or partner; not liable for Council Tax; on a low income. If you would like to apply for benefit, please ask for an application form and complete and return it as soon as possible. 11
Providing value for money for Hampshire residents Hampshire County Council is the third-largest shire county, with a population of 1.3 million. In 2011/12 we aim to continue providing services that benefit people most in need, despite the reduced government grant, by focusing more on improving efficiency and reducing back-office costs. We will also freeze our part of the Council Tax. Unfortunately, we will not be able to avoid reductions to some services.
The Government Spending Review means we will have less money to run our services over the next four years. We face a grant reduction of at least 30% over this period and have already taken steps to cut costs. We continue to look for ways to save money, for example, by sharing services with partner agencies.
Protecting frontline services The extent of the funding cuts means we will have to scale back or stop offering some services over the coming months and years. In making these decisions, we will give priority to protecting services for those who need them most, but will need to look at every aspect of our spending to see where we can reduce costs. 12
We will do this by continuing to make efficiency savings and reducing backoffice costs. Action taken already includes: ● cutting senior management posts by 25 per cent ● freezing recruitment (except for critical posts, such as child protection) ● freezing pay ● lowering mileage rates ● renegotiating contracts for supplies and services ● merging departments to reduce management and support costs, and ● reducing our office space and selling or leasing buildings that become vacant. We are also changing the way we work. Examples of this include: ● making better use of buildings by locating services together, for example, we are considering moving registration and trading standards into libraries
www.hants.gov.uk
● working with partners to share services and expertise, and to gain better access to funding.
Where the money comes from £'000
We will continue to monitor our costs and performance over the coming years.
Budget for 2010/11 Adjustment for funding and function changes Adjusted budget for 2010/11
For more on the County Council’s performance and how we spend your Council Tax, please read the spring edition of Hampshire Now, due to reach you towards the end of March 2011, www.hants.gov.uk/hampshirenow. We believe in being open and transparent, and every month we publish details of County Council spending over £500. Further details are available at www.hants.gov.uk/opendata.
672,129 69,794 741,923
Inflation
13,724
Efficiency and other savings
-26,901
Council Tax grant
-13,161
Budget for 2011/12
715,585
Which is financed by: General government funding: • national business rates • government general grant Surplus on district councils’ collection funds Balance to be met by Council Tax payers
141,816 43,836 3,506 526,427
Budget breakdown In 2011/12, our general government funding will be cut by 14.3% compared to last year. This is the joint highest percentage cut for any English county council. We also receive a low amount of government funding per person compared to many other councils. In 2011/12, the county council with the highest government funding per person will receive almost twice as much per 13
person as Hampshire County Council. Apart from the direct grant to our schools, which we hand straight over to them, general government funding provides only £26 of every £100 needed for our other services in Hampshire, so the rest has to come from Council Tax. The Government grant cuts will place major budget pressures on us, increased further by the demands we face: ● increased social care costs ● the rising numbers of vulnerable children who need care
● higher price inflation ● taking on new transferred legal duties, such as the concessionary bus fares scheme, which are not fully funded by the Government. Taking account of the cuts, extra demands and planned efficiency improvements, we expect to spend £1,913 million on services in 2011/12, 14
compared with £1,830 million in 2010/11. To help with this cost, we get servicerelated grants from the Government, including a grant to cover the full cost of Hampshire schools, and £169 million in income, mainly from fees and charges. Allowing for grants and income, we have set a net spending budget of £716 million, a decrease of £26 million. There will be no increase in the County Council’s portion of the Council Tax in 2011/12. It will be frozen at 2010/11 levels, funded by an additional government grant.
www.hants.gov.uk
the cost per week of two older people with dementia to stay in residential care
11 safe and secure overnight stays for vulnerable children with foster carers during a family crisis
43 sessions for young people not in education, employment or training to help them apply for jobs and access training
about 60 hours of visits from a homecare worker to enable residents to stay in their own homes
patching 41 square metres of carriageway to help fix pot holes
the disposal of household waste for 11 households for a year
Our budget for services: total ÂŁ715.6 million.
For more on the County Council and how your Council Tax is spent, visit our website www.hants.gov.uk See the back of this leaflet for more contact details. These pages (12-15) have been checked for clarity by Plain Language Commission.
Claim the benefit For information on Council Tax Benefit see your Council Tax bill or contact your district council (see back of leaflet for details). For more about Pension Credit please ring 0800 99 1234. 15
Hampshire Police Authority – ensuring efficient and effective policing for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight During this time of unprecedented economic change organisations and public services are facing very challenging times ahead, and the police service is no exception. This year brings the challenge of working within a reduced budget to provide a more efficient and effective police service for the future, which will continue to deliver an excellent service for the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We have been working for some time to see how policing can adapt to the reduction in budget by making the most of our resources and providing best value for money for the taxpayer.
Your Police Authority Hampshire Police Authority is the independent body responsible for overseeing the work of Hampshire Constabulary and ensuring effective and efficient policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This includes setting the policing budget, local policing priorities and representing the voice of the public. The 17 members of Hampshire Police Authority, nine local councillors and eight independent members, work hard to ensure Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 16
are even safer places to live, work and visit.
Policing priorities The policing priorities are developed after consultation with the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, together with local authorities and other agencies, along with the latest crime statistics. Hampshire Police Authority has agreed the strategic direction for Hampshire Constabulary up to 2015. We will protect the funding of as many frontline services as possible, including targeted patrol teams, safer neighbourhood teams and local crime management, until at least April 2012 and with the objective of protecting them right through to April 2015. Hampshire Police Authority and the Chief Constable jointly agree on
www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org
three-year policing priorities, and these are published in the Policing Plan. The priorities are informed by results of consultation exercises with the public, local authorities and other agencies, along with the latest crime statistics. A full copy of the Policing Plan is available by visiting www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org
The priorities are underpinned by a set of values which aims to secure the trust and confidence of our communities. In everything we do, we CARE: Common sense and sound judgement Act with integrity, courage and compassion Respect people and keep our promises Experiences used to learn and improve
Police funding The majority of funding for policing comes through Government grants, with around a third coming from Council Tax. The funding announcement in December 2010 meant that the Government general grant paid to Hampshire Police Authority has been reduced by 5.1 per cent for 2011/12 and 6.7 per cent for 2012/13 as a part of a 20 per cent cut in real terms over the next four years. The specific grants we receive from the Government for Neighbourhood Policing and Counter Terrorism will be at similar levels to last year so the reduction in total Government funding is 3.8% in 2011/12 and 6.3% in 2012/13. In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight this means the Police Authority grant has been reduced by ÂŁ9million for 2011/12 and a further ÂŁ14million for 2012/13. We have decided to freeze the Police Authority council tax precept 17
for 2011/12 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, meaning that properties in bands A to H will not have any increase in the police element of their council tax. By freezing the council tax Hampshire Police Authority will receive a government grant equivalent to 2.5% of council tax. BAND
ANNUAL COST £
A
97.50
B
113.75
C
130.00
D
146.25
E
178.75
F
211.25
G
243.75
H
292.50
Hampshire Police Authority budget £’000
Budget for 2011/12
314,096
Police grant
137,968
Revenue support grant
17,540
National business rates
56,748
Total general government grants Surplus on Council Tax collection funds Council Tax precept 18
212,256
1,042 100,798
Making the savings The scale of the financial challenge we face is no surprise to Hampshire Police Authority or Hampshire Constabulary, and we have been working together for a number of years taking steps to prepare for it. Although the reduction of Government grant for 2011/12 is £9m, inflation and other budget pressures mean that £20million of savings need to be found to balance the budget. The majority of these savings will be delivered by making efficiency improvements that allow us to reduce the number of employees needed to deliver excellent services. No reductions will be made to frontline personnel. The Authority has planned underspends totalling £16million in the last two financial years to build reserves to smooth the funding loss and provide for the cost of change. £4million of reserves will be used as a one-off to balance the 2011/12 budget whilst transformational change is delivered during 2011/12 to put
www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org
the Authority in a sustainable budget position from April 2012. We have a successful history of collaboration with other forces to deliver services more efficiently and make savings. Through these close relationships we intend to identify even more opportunities to do this and continue to respond to your needs.
Providing better value for money Hampshire Police Authority has been praised for the way its finances have been managed. The Audit Commission independently assesses public sector bodies in the way money is spent, and has concluded that “the authority has built on a good performance management framework to ensure
it continues to have strong arrangements for securing value for money in its service delivery”. By 2015 we intend to be a top quartile force in key performance areas and in the bottom quartile for cost. A combination of low cost and high achievement will make the constabulary one of the best value for money forces in the country. The majority of budget will again be spent on employees in order to continue to deliver excellent service. Budget pressures and growth for new spending have been limited to £1.3million, of which £0.6million relates to essential IT expenditure to meet statutory and security requirements. Officer posts have been removed from support roles and the officers returned to the frontline. Despite the funding reductions, there will be more officers, PCSOs and staff in frontline posts in 2011/12 than when the emergency budget funding reductions were first announced in June 2010.
19
We make life safer We want to be the best fire and rescue service in the country and make life safer for everyone by reducing risks in our local communities. We want to make improvements in five priority areas: People
Our achievements in 2010/11 Our achievements this year move us closer to becoming the best fire and rescue service in the country.
Property Community Environment Resources All of our aims and objectives fit into these priority areas, so that our efforts are concentrated on the most important issues. Our values are important as they help us to become an excellent organisation and to lead by example. All of our staff help us to achieve our priorities and objectives. The service they provide is highly professional and helps to make your life safer. 20
Our people are our most important asset, and in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the services we deliver, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has been an Investors in People accredited organisation since 2007. In December 2010, following a comprehensive review, the Service achieved further success resulting in the Investors in People silver award. This places us in the top 5% of recognised organisations in the UK. Our Co-responder team has undergone a successful expansion this past year with the addition of four new stations, taking the total to 18 that offer this valuable service. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service
www.hantsfire.gov.uk
have been working in partnership to deliver a Co-responder scheme in the county for a number of years. With these additional stations, the scheme is widening its base and further contributing to our vision to make life safer.
In December 2010, we introduced a new specialist unit to deal with small fires in Southampton. The Small Fires Vehicle will be on-call 24 hours a day to respond to small fires and antisocial fire-related incidents, freeing up major appliances to be used where they are needed most, at life-threatening incidents such as house and property fires. In early September 2010, we hosted the largest European search and rescue exercise ever undertaken.
Exercise Orion simulated an earthquake striking the UK and was funded through a European Union grant. The exercise was a huge success and will improve our management of catastrophic major incidents should one occur in the future.
If you want to know more about our plans for the next three years please take a look at our latest Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan on our website www.hantsfire.gov.uk/plan Or you can call us on 023 8064 4000 21
Good value for money?
Our budget for 2011/12
We think so, and hope you will agree.
Here is how we arrived at our budget for the year ahead:
The budget for 2011/12 is £68.7 million. This is 0.8% more than the equivalent budget last year with most of the increase arising from the cost of inflation. The Authority is committed to keeping Council Tax increases as low as possible so we constantly review how our services are delivered to make them more efficient and reduce pressure on Council Tax.
£’000
Budget for 2010/11
68,160
Inflation
616
Efficiency improvements
-585
Council Tax freeze grant
-973
Increase in reserves
1,456
Budget for 2011/12
68,674
Which is financed by: National business rates
22,406
Government grant
6,926
Surplus on collection funds Balance from Council Tax
441 38,901
The cost to you We are pleased to tell you we are able to freeze our part of the Council Tax this year. This is due to efficiency measures we have put in place, and a Council Tax freeze grant from the Government. It is important that you know what this means in cash terms. For a Band D
property the cost of your fire and rescue service is just £1.18 per week, which is the same as last year. The table below shows you exactly how much you will pay for your fire and rescue service in 2011/12.
Band A
£40.92
Band C
£54.56
Band E
£75.02
Band G
£102.30
Band B
£47.74
Band D
£61.38
Band F
£88.66
Band H
£122.76
22
www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Where your money goes Over 75% of our budget is spent on employing staff - our most valuable resource. The remainder is spent on essential supplies and services, transport, property and information and communications technology, as well as funding our capital programmes. Every year we spend about £2.5 million on our vehicle replacement programme, to ensure we have a modern, well-maintained fleet of vehicles. We invest £500,000 in improvements to our buildings and the new fire station at Winchester will be completed in 2011.
Budget 2011/12
£’000
Preventing incidents
4,497
Protecting life and property
2,280
Responding to emergencies
59,113
Capital financing costs
1,888
Council Tax freeze grant
-973
Contribution to reserves
1,869
Total
68,674
Full budget details and information about how your Council Tax is spent are available on our website: www.hantsfire.gov.uk If you have any questions our contact details are on the back of this booklet. 23
Winchester City Council
Hampshire Police Authority
Local Taxes Section City Offices Colebrook Street Winchester SO23 9LJ
Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens Winchester SO23 8AW Tel: 01962 871595 E-mail: police.authority@hampshire.pnn.police.uk www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org
For Council Tax enquiries Tel: 01962 848288 For all other enquiries Tel: 01962 840222 E-mail: counciltax@winchester.gov.uk www.winchester.gov.uk
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Tel: 023 8064 4000 E-mail: reception@hantsfire.gov.uk www.hantsfire.gov.uk Budget questions Financial Services Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters Leigh Road Eastleigh SO50 9SJ
Hampshire County Council Budget and Council Tax www.hants.gov.uk/finance/budget For questions on our budget contact: County Treasurer’s Department Hampshire County Council The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UB E-mail: budget@hants.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8062 6867 E-mail: finance@hantsfire.gov.uk
For more about our services, go to: www.hants.gov.uk Tel: 0845 603 5638 * Textphone: 0845 603 5625* E-mail: info@hants.gov.uk
* Calls to 0845 numbers are free on some BT call plans but will cost between 4p (local rate) and 6p (national rate) per minute for BT customers not on a plan. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more. Alternatively call 01329 225398 - standard and local call rates may apply to this number.
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