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Giving youmore for yourcouncil tax

2013/14

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Keeping you safe,spending yourmoney wisely

2013/14A guide to council tax acrossLichfield District

Lich'eld District CouncilGood value local services Lich'eld District Council delivers awide range of local services in yourarea for around £2.87 a week*.We hope you think they are goodvalue. Find out more informationabout how much you will pay, howwe spend the money we get, andcouncil tax discounts andexemptions in our pages. *Based on an average Band D property

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TURN TO PAGES 2-8 FOR MORE INFORMATION

A guide to counciltax acrossLichfield District

For more information about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue,please visit www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk

Information aboutyour council tax

2013/14

A guide to council tax acrossLichfield District

Lichfield District CouncilGood value local services

Lichfield District Council delivers awide range of local services in yourarea for around £2.87 a week*.We hope you think they are goodvalue. Find out more informationabout how much you will pay, howwe spend the money we get, andcouncil tax discounts andexemptions in our pages.

*Based on an average Band D property

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Did you know?

Lichfield District Councilonly keeps 10% of themoney you pay – we passthe rest to the countycouncil, fire and policeservices and parish councils.

Value for moneyWe spend 10% of the money you pay each monthin your council tax bill. An average house* in thedistrict pays the district council £2.87 a week or£149.01 a year towards district council services.

We are a low charging district council and, basedon a Band D property, on average we charge £20less a year than other shire districts.

To make sure we can continue to deliver good localservices, we have increased our part of the bill by1.8% this year. This will mean you will pay onaverage £2.64 more this year.

*Based on an average Band D property

Facing the futureIt’s been another challenging financial year for usand we are facing large cuts in governmentfunding. Our savings programme has meant weare in a good position to meet the cuts, butwithout doubt we are going to have to change theway we deliver some of our services in the future.

We don’t want to do this without getting localpeople’s views on what’s important. If you want togive us your ideas on how we should cut our costs,please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/voiceit and signup for email alerts on our consultations.

One way we may save costs next year is bypublishing the information within our pagesonline, rather than sending you a leaflet.

Where does my money go?We only keep around 10p of every pound wereceive in council tax. We distribute the rest toStaffordshire County Council, the fire and policeservices, and parish, town and city councils.

To find out more about counciltax, exemptions and discounts,and the ways you can pay,please visit:

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax

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3p goes to the average parish council

70p goes to Staffordshire County Council

12p goes to the Office of the Police andCrime Commissioner Staffordshire

5p goes to Staffordshire Fireand Rescue Service

10p goes to LichfieldDistrict Council

How much will I have to pay?

Use the table below to find out how much yourcouncil tax charge will be this year. The amountyou pay depends on where you live (your parisharea) and the value of your home (your valuationband). The figures do not include any discountsyou may receive.

Your house is placed in one of eight council taxbands (A to H), using the valuation carried out by theDistrict Valuer in 1991. The amount of council taxyou pay will depend on the value of your property.Band D (highlighted below) is used to calculate thecouncil tax for each property and to compareourselves to others. The bands are worked out as aproportion of the Band D amount.

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Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band HProportion of Band D (6/9) (7/9) (8/9) (1) (11/9) (13/9) (15/9) (2)

Alrewas 965.01 1125.85 1286.68 1447.52 1769.19 2090.87 2412.53 2895.04

Armitage with Handsacre 973.82 1136.12 1298.42 1460.73 1785.34 2109.95 2434.55 2921.46

Burntwood 966.60 1127.70 1288.80 1449.90 1772.10 2094.31 2416.50 2899.80

Clifton Campville with 975.56 1138.16 1300.75 1463.35 1788.54 2113.74 2438.91 2926.70Thorpe Constantine

Colton 973.62 1135.89 1298.16 1460.43 1784.97 2109.52 2434.05 2920.86

Curborough & Elmhurst 954.40 1113.47 1272.53 1431.60 1749.73 2067.87 2386.00 2863.20and Farewell & Chorley

Drayton Bassett 979.04 1142.22 1305.39 1468.57 1794.92 2121.28 2447.61 2937.14

Edingale 974.29 1136.68 1299.05 1461.44 1786.20 2110.98 2435.73 2922.88

Elford 973.82 1136.12 1298.42 1460.73 1785.34 2109.95 2434.55 2921.46

Fazeley 972.68 1134.79 1296.90 1459.02 1783.25 2107.48 2431.70 2918.04

Fradley & Streethay 972.44 1134.52 1296.59 1458.67 1782.82 2106.98 2431.11 2917.34

Hammerwich 957.28 1116.84 1276.38 1435.93 1755.02 2074.13 2393.21 2871.86

Hamstall Ridware 963.30 1123.86 1284.40 1444.96 1766.06 2087.17 2408.26 2889.92

Harlaston 967.68 1128.96 1290.24 1451.52 1774.08 2096.65 2419.20 2903.04

Hints & Canwell 972.44 1134.51 1296.58 1458.66 1782.81 2106.96 2431.10 2917.32

Kings Bromley 961.58 1121.85 1282.11 1442.38 1762.91 2083.45 2403.96 2884.76

Lichfield 982.76 1146.56 1310.35 1474.15 1801.74 2129.34 2456.91 2948.30

Longdon 960.74 1120.86 1280.98 1441.11 1761.36 2081.61 2401.85 2882.22

Mavesyn Ridware 969.10 1130.62 1292.13 1453.65 1776.68 2099.72 2422.75 2907.30

Shenstone 971.10 1132.96 1294.80 1456.66 1780.36 2104.07 2427.76 2913.32

Swinfen & Packington 967.72 1129.01 1290.29 1451.58 1774.15 2096.73 2419.30 2903.16

Wall 965.86 1126.84 1287.81 1448.79 1770.74 2092.70 2414.65 2897.58

Weeford 957.31 1116.87 1276.41 1435.97 1755.07 2074.19 2393.28 2871.94

Whittington & Fisherwick 972.86 1135.01 1297.15 1459.30 1783.59 2107.89 2432.16 2918.60

Wigginton & Hopwas 973.98 1136.32 1298.64 1460.98 1785.64 2110.31 2434.96 2921.96

Does council tax fund all our services?

No. Council tax funds only 9% of the services wedeliver. The rest is made up by income,government grants, interest on investments andrevenue reserves.

When do I have to pay my council tax?

You can pay by 10 or 12 monthly or 2 half yearlyinstalments on the 1st day of the month.

Please note: The instalment date has changedfrom the 8th to the 1st of the month. You can payonline at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/epay

Please note: There is a 2% administration fee ifpaying by credit card. This does not apply to debitcard payments.

Can I pay by Direct Debit?

Yes. Call our team on 01543 308900 and haveyour bank details ready, including your sort-code,account number and branch address.You can alsoset up a Direct Debit by filling in a form atwww.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ctdirectdebit

When are Direct Debits taken out mybank account?

We’re changing the date we take Direct Debitpayments from the 8th to the 1st of every month.You can ask for your payment to come out of youraccount on the 18th of every month instead bycalling 01543 308900.

How is my council tax bill calculated?

Your council tax bill is based on your property’scouncil tax band (see page 4). It assumes there aretwo adults living in your home (as their main home).

What if I live alone - do I get a discount?

Yes. If you are the only adult living in your home,you may be entitled to a 25% single person’sdiscount. Visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax todownload a single person’s discount applicationform or call 01543 308900.

Could I be exempt from council tax?

Yes. You may be eligible for a discount or may beexempt from paying council tax if you are afull-time student, you are living in permanentresidential care, you are disabled, or for anotherreason. For full information, visitwww.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltaxexemptionsor call 01543 308900.

What if I don't pay my council tax?

If you don’t pay your bill on time, we will send youa reminder notice, which gives you seven days topay. If you don’t pay within seven days you willlose your right to pay by instalments. If you thenfail to pay off the full balance within a furtherseven days, we will begin court proceedingsagainst you.

Don't forget!Your Direct Debit date ischanging from the 8th to the1st of the month.

Frequently asked questions

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What if I’m on a low income or unemployed?

If you are on a low income or unemployed, youmay be eligible for support on your council tax(this used to be called council tax benefit). To findout more, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltaxdiscounts or call 01543 308900.

What if my circumstances change?

You must tell us straightaway. If you fail to tell uswithin 21 days, you may be faced with penalty of£70. For help and advice, please emailbenefits@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308900.

Can I appeal against my council tax band?

You can appeal by writing to The Listing Officer,Valuation Office Agency, Blackburn House, Old HallStreet, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 3BS or by calling03000 505700. If you and the Valuation OfficeAgency can’t agree on the appeal, it will bereferred to a valuation tribunal.

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

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

Does the council pass on my council taxinformation?

Yes. We are required to take part in the NationalFraud Initiative (NFI) data matching exercise undersection 6 of the Audit Commission Act 1998. Aspart of this, we provide all council tax data to thegovernment for cross-systems and cross-authoritycomparison to help prevent and detect fraud.

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Is council tax benefit changing?Yes. From April 2013, council tax benefit is being replaced bylocal council tax support schemes. The amount you receive maybe calculated differently. As a result of cuts in governmentfunding, we don’t have as much money available to give outthrough our scheme. So, if you have claimed council tax benefitin the past, you may have to pay more towards your council taxbill. Pensioners will not be affected by this change.

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The services we deliver include:

Collecting and disposing of wasteand recycling

Sports activities, leisure centres,playschemes and more

Cleaning streets and roads

Environmental health: inspectingrestaurants, bars and clubs for foodhygiene, noise, other issues and more.

Planning and building control: processingplanning applications and ensuringdevelopments meet required standards

Housing and welfare services

Providing council tax and housingbenefits and concessionary fares

Boosting our economy througheconomic development and tourism

General cultural and commercial services

Corporate activities

Service spend/income

Capital, pension and earmarked reserves

Interest receipts/payments

Use of reserves

Government grants

Collection fund

Total council tax requirement

2012/13 (last year) 2013/14 (this year)

We spent We made Our net We will We project Our net £’000 on £’000 spend was spend £’000 £’000 spend is set services income £’000 on services income to be £’000

5,192 -2,915 2,277 5,128 -2,879 2,249

5,384 -2,537 2,847 5,494 -2,511 2,983

787 -155 632 785 -154 631

1,011 -259 752 1,009 -238 771

4,060 -2,675 1,385 3,433 -1,939 1,494

2,167 -611 1,556 2,146 -489 1,657

26,263 -25,356 907 21,387 -20,482 905

1,419 -1,241 178 1,356 -1,086 270

5,030 -4,208 822 4,715 -3,800 915

3,071 -357 2,714 3,057 -357 2,700

7,207 -7,164 43 8,046 -7,946 100

0 -3,108 -3,108 0 -2,810 -2,810

13 -129 -116 12 -113 -101

0 -535 -535 0 -1,297 -1,297

0 -4,756 -4,756 0 -5,211 -5,211

0 0 0 0 0 0

61,604 -56,006 5,598 56,568 -51,312 5,256

District services you help to fund

We use the council tax we receive to deliver a wide range of services – from recycling, to leisure centresand much more. Find out how we spend council tax below:

Please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/counciltax or call our team on01543 308900 Monday – Friday, 8.45am – 5pm

Any questions?

If you would like this leaflet inanother format such as large print,please call 01543 308000.

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How much do parish councils get?

Your local parish, town or city council gets a proportion of money from your bill to deliver local services.This table shows how much your parish council will receive, based on the average council tax bill (Band D).

2012/13 (last year) 2013/14 (this year)

Parish council tax Parish council tax Parish council tax Parish council taxFind your parish precept (£) charge (average precept (£) charge (average from the list below home Band D) (£) home Band D) (£)

Alrewas 34,000 27.53 29,651 26.01

Armitage with Handsacre 68,508 38.80 66,742 39.22

Burntwood 256,142 29.74 224,150 28.39

Clifton Campville with 15,480 41.89 14,179 41.84Thorpe Constantine

Colton 12,012 37.60 11,488 38.92

Curborough & Elmhurst 3,100 11.98 2,344 10.09and Farewell & Chorley

Drayton Basset 21,629 47.32 20,019 47.06

Edingale 11,330 40.08 10,334 39.93

Elford 12,500 41.28 10,934 39.22

Fazeley 57,872 38.63 52,597 37.51

Fradley & Streethay 51,000 36.18 48,036 37.16

Hammerwich 20,000 14.02 18,976 14.42

Hamstall Ridware 3,250 21.47 3,267 23.45

Harlaston 6,000 31.12 5,321 30.01

Hints & Canwell 7,000 36.82 6,471 37.15

Kings Bromley 12,880 22.59 10,872 20.87

Lichfield 634,300 51.61 595,321 52.64

Longdon 13,650 17.23 14,209 19.60

Mavesyn Ridware 14,000 31.26 13,309 32.14

Shenstone 129,000 35.80 116,312 35.15

Swinfen & Packington 3,600 24.39 4,080 30.07

Wall 4,750 23.80 5,047 27.28

Weeford 1,540 16.38 1,254 14.46

Whittington & Fisherwick 44,090 37.99 40,876 37.79

Wiggington & Hopwas 19,000 40.31 17,340 39.47

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Staffordshire County Council’s job is to help make your life better – from keeping you safe from crime and caring for those most in need, to supporting businesses to create jobs and growth.

Here’s where our money comes from:

What will you have to pay in 2013-14?

For the last three years Staffordshire County Council has frozen or even cut the amount it charges you for its share of the Council Tax.

Here is what you will pay to us from April 2013, depending on the ‘band’ of your home:

Our total income is £1,224.3 million each year.

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We are making the most of your money

We are getting on with the basics while doing new things to try to make local life better. This includes working more closely with the health service to look after older people, supporting children through education, investing in roads and running the council in different ways to make it more efficient.

Here’s a summary of how the money is split between services:

* Dedicated Schools Grant, which funds school budgets and associated costs, is a provisional allocation which will be adjusted once final pupil numbers are known.Other services include such areas as Property, Finance, HR, ICT. It also includes a levy from the Environment Agency (£0.3m).

Working towards a prosperous future

We are investing to make a more secure future for everyone in the county. New businesses are being attracted to Staffordshire, and more jobs are being created for people.

Find out more at www.staffordshire.gov.uk

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Find out more

There is much more information about council tax and our spending at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/counciltaxTo find out more about our work call 0300 111 8000 or visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk

If you would like this information in large print, Braille, audio tape/disc, British Sign Language or any other language, please ring 0300 111 8000

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