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PeterboroughYOUR

Council tax freeze agreed

Find out how we set our budget

Record improvement for Peterborough schools

Deals struck for cheaper energy bills and solar power scheme

Love Peterborough by being cleaner and greener

What’s on this year

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3 Record improvement for Peterborough schools

4-5 Love Peterborough by being cleaner and greener

6 Deal struck for cheaper energy bills

7 Could you benefit from free solar power?

8 Countdown begins to Perkins Great Eastern Run

9-19 Your Council Tax

20-23 Your Fire Service

24-27 Your Police Service

29 Keeping people moving on our roads

31 Fostering a future

33 World class technical education on offer in Peterborough

34-35 What’s on

New look council websiteA new and improved Peterborough City Council website will be launched later in 2015. The new website is designed to make it easier for visitors to find information and complete transactions online. The design principles of ‘quicker, easier, faster’ follow a similar approach to GOV.UK, the UK government website.

The website will continue to develop, with new tools going online throughout the coming months. Once the website goes live, your feedback will be invaluable to help with the ongoing development of our online services.

Cover photo by www.johnmoorephotography.com

Contents

Telephone: 01733 747474

Email: ask@peterborough.gov.uk

Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk

In person: Customer services, Bayard Place, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1FZ. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Follow us on @peterboroughcc or for all the latest news and information

Local businesses can sponsor one or more of the city’s 85 roundabouts, providing the opportunity to place your business name in highly visible locations.

By sponsoring one of our roundabouts you will increase awareness of your company name to thousands of motorists for 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Prices vary depending on the location and size of the roundabout but on average your message can be seen for just £4 a day.

For more information email roundabouts@peterborough.gov.uk

or telephone: 01733 863611.

SPONSOR A ROUNDABOUT

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Record improvement for Peterborough schoolsThe number of schools in Peterborough judged good or outstanding by Ofsted has risen to a record high.

Just over 80 per cent are rated good or outstanding, which makes Peterborough the most improved authority in the country.

Councillor John Holdich, deputy leader and cabinet member for education, skills and university, said: “Our schools have done incredibly well in the past year, providing children with a good education.

“We work with all our schools so every child can reach their full potential and obtain the best grades they can.

“We are investing millions of pounds to create extra school places and ensure our buildings and facilities are the best they can be.”

In 2014/15 alone, six primary school expansions created an additional 1,500 places. In 2015/16, the council expects to spend a further £19 million. School expansion projects include: Phoenix Special School, St Michael’s Primary, Southfields Primary, Nenegate Special School, Discovery Primary, Thorpe Primary, Heltwate Special School and Orton St John’s Primary. Two new schools are planned, one for the new development of Hampton Gardens and the other to replace the existing West Town Primary with a new building on the former hospital site on Thorpe Road. City College Peterborough will be expanded to increase provision for students with learning difficulties and the pupil referral unit, which is currently split over three sites, will be consolidated to two sites and refurbished.

Councillor Holdich said: “I doubt there is another local authority in the country that is investing as heavily in its schools as we are in Peterborough.

“Our goal is for every child to be supported to achieve their absolute best, at great quality schools, near to where they live and we are well on our way to achieving that goal.”

Peterborough SchoolsArtist impression of Southfields school

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Clean and Green

Love Peterborough by being cleaner and greenerThe more we all think about how we dispose of our waste, the more we save on landfill charges and the less we spend on avoidable cleaning up costs. As well as giving us a better environment to live in, think what better things that money could have been spent on instead. There are ways we can all do our bit to cut costs and save money in your pocket too.

Food wasteDid you know you can place ANY food waste in your grey caddy including fish, meat, poultry and bones, bread, egg shells, peelings, dairy (no liquids) and tea and coffee grounds. This bin is collected EVERY WEEK. If you’ve run out of bio-degradable bags you can also use newspaper to wrap your food in. In the first two years of the scheme 8,800 tonnes of food waste was sent to the anaerobic digester and turned into electricity instead of going to landfill, saving the city £500,000 in charges.

Household items, bulky wasteIf you have small household items we can collect them from your home for free to either be recycled or given to charity. We can also take away all your bulky items for a small fee of £23.50. Arrange this by calling 01733 747474. Alternatively, you can take items to the Household Recycling Centre on Welland Road, which is open seven days a week. You can also take large electrical appliances to our WEEE facility in Fengate to be recycled or refurbished and sold at charity shops. Call them on 01733 425450.

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Clean and Green

Recycling Even more materials can be recycled. You can now put plastic tubs, trays, pots and film, carrier bags and aluminium trays and foil in your green bins, as well as glass, aerosols, cartons, cardboard, paper, tins and cans. If we increase our recycling levels by just 10 per cent, the city can save £380,000. Every time you throw items in your black bin, think about whether it should be going in your green or grey bin.

LitteringTax payers had to fork out £750,000 to clean up litter last year. Littering isn’t just about dropped crisp packets, it includes cigarette butts, chewing gum and dog mess, all of which carry a fine if caught. Cigarette butts do not degrade and make up nearly 80 per cent of street litter, chewing gum is expensive to remove and is dangerous to animals and dog poo can cause diseases. Please avoid any littering and report offenders to us as we will prosecute.

Report itWe can’t be everywhere all the time, so we need you to be our eyes and ears and call us on 01733 747474 to report offenders or to tell us about issues in your street, including potholes, missed bins, faulty street lights, graffiti, littering and flytipping. Alternatively, download the MyPeterborough app where you can report issues online and track progress. You can get the app from www.peterborough.gov.uk/report

Flytipping and graffitiLast year £280,000 was spent removing flytipped rubbish and graffiti from public buildings. No one wants other people’s rubbish dumped on their doorstep and graffiti is an eyesore. If this does happen please report it to us and we will aim to get it removed quickly. Please report offenders too so we can stop this happening again.

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Getting a better deal for residentsPeterborough residents can now benefit from cheaper energy bills, thanks to a deal struck between Peterborough City Council and OVO, a leading UK energy company.

The new dual fuel and electricity-only energy tariffs are available exclusively for residents with PE postcodes and are some of the cheapest in the country.

OVO will manage and operate the tariffs, just like any other energy supplier, but we will help promote the scheme. This allows OVO to pass on savings to customers, helping us put money back in people’s pockets.

The scheme is a win-win for residents and the council.

Residents signing up for the tariffs will immediately benefit from lower energy bills. Customers that use pre-pay meters will also receive free smart meters.

The council will benefit longer-term, as OVO has agreed to look to invest in local projects and purchase electricity produced by the council in the future.

The deal with OVO is another step in our journey to become the UK’s environment capital. It demonstrates our commitment to getting the best deal possible for residents, but also creating partnerships that we can use to bring investment into the city.

From April 2015 you can register your interest by visiting www.peterborough.gov.uk

Energy

Signing the deal Councillor Nigel North, Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment Capital;

and Ovo Managing Director Craig Morley.

Follow us @CityofPeterAcad

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Homeowners can benefit from free solar powerPeterborough homeowners are signing up for rooftop solar PV panels as part of a pilot scheme that could be rolled out city-wide.

The solar systems are installed by Empower Peterborough CIC, a partnership between the council and Empower Community, a social enterprise.

Residents won’t have to pay a penny towards the installations. They have access to free daytime electricity, worth roughly £200 every year, and receive £100 rent every five years for having the panels on their homes.

The wider Peterborough community will also benefit as a percentage of the money generated will be shared equally between a local community fund and Peterborough City Council.

If 1,500 properties sign up for the initial pilot scheme it could generate £1million each for the community and the council over the 20 year project.

Empower Peterborough is starting with aerial surveys and an evaluation of the electricity network and will be contacting homeowners that could benefit from the scheme. Unfortunately not everyone will be eligible, as each roof needs to be assessed as to its suitability.

Visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/freesolar for more information.

Energy

SPACIOUS MODERN YOURS

Roman Fields Manor Drive, Peterborough.PE4 7AP

Let us put youin your new home

01733 808642 or visit keepmoat.com

Find your new home at Roman Fields 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses now available

** Help to Buy price of £127,996 represents 80% of the full purchase price of £159,995. Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan up to a maximum of 20% of the purchase price (based on the open market value) interest free for the first five years. After year five, you will pay a fee on the equity loan of 1.75%, rising annually by the retail price index plus 1%. Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a conditional mortgage, savings and any deposit where required. The equity loan is held as a second charge on the property. Terms and conditions apply and full details will be provided on request. This offer is subject to status and available on selected properties in England only. It is not offered with any other promotion. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Details and prices correct at time of distribution. Images representative only.

You could move into a stunning new home at Roman Fields with just a 5% deposit, thanks to the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.

Help to Buy

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Volunteer withDeafblind UK

to make adifference

We are currentlylooking forvvolunteer

administratorsand telephonecompanions

To help us support olderpeople with a combinedhearing and sight loss in

Peterborough pleasecontact:

Lyn Pollard01733 35810001733 358100

lynda.pollard@deafblind.org.uk

Countdown is on to the Perkins Great Eastern RunRemember the ‘healthy’ New Year resolutions you made in January? For those of you who’ve stuck to making lifestyle changes to better your health and well-being - have you thought about entering the Perkins Great Eastern Run?

Peterborough’s excellent half marathon doesn’t take place until 11 October 2015, so there’s plenty of time to focus and train for the big day. If a half marathon is too big a leap, you could do the 5k Anna’s Hope Fun Run instead. It is a great opportunity to raise money for a charity close to your heart too.

Organised by Peterborough City Council, the Perkins Great Eastern Run is one of the best half marathons in the country.

In 2014 this popular event was another excellent success. More than 7,000 people took part in

the half marathon and fun run, which made it the highest attended Perkins Great Eastern Run since its return to the city’s sporting calendar in 2006.

Novice runners can get all the running support and training advice they need for this year’s race. Free weekly training sessions take place at the Peterborough embankment athletics track from July and on race day pacers will lead runners around the course at different target times from start to finish.

Simply enter online at www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk and pay the fee (£23 to £25 for the half marathon and £5 to £9 for the fun run) or enter at the Visitor Information Centre on Bridge Street.

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Council TaxYOUR

Spring 2015/16

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Peterborough is a great place to be Another year has passed and yet again we’ve had lots to celebrate in Peterborough.

Undeniably it has once again been a very challenging year because of the pressure on our finances.

A £12.5 million cut in our government grant, coupled with an increased demand for services, means we have faced the unenviable task of making savings in the region of £25 million to be able to deliver a balanced budget.

It’s been a tough job, but we did it. What makes it all worthwhile is that there has been so much to be proud of in the past year.

We’ve seen Peterborough United’s new Moy’s End stand open, along with the Dementia Resource Centre, which is doing great work supporting dementia sufferers and their families. The transformation of the city centre has continued and we’ve seen lots of new shops and restaurants open.

We’ve continued to invest in education and we are the most improved authority in the country for the performance of our schools.

In January the annual Centre for Cities report revealed that we are growing, growing in the right way, with more housing, less unemployment and a good proportion of private sector businesses.

We ranked sixth amongst cities with the highest number of patents granted - a good indicator there is business growth and innovation taking place. We’re second for our housing stock growth figures, with 800 new homes built between 2012 and 2013.

It’s certainly true that we have less money now to provide services than we’ve ever had, but we are still investing in a number of important areas, including:

• £2.3 million in children’s social care to maintain and bolster existing staffing levels and retain a dedicated child sexual exploitation team.

• £19 million capital investment in education to provide school places for children.

• An extra £1.8 million to pay for the growing number of children in care.

I’m also pleased we’ve been able to freeze council tax once again by accepting a grant from the government offered to those authorities which choose to keep council tax static.

This decision means you continue to pay one of the lowest rates of council tax in the country.

We’ve certainly had to be imaginative this year and find new ways of working to limit the impact on services. However, I believe that the decisions we have made ensure we are providing services for the most vulnerable and the services that people prioritise, whilst continuing to invest in the city to ensure it’s a great place to be now and in the future.

Your Council Tax

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Overview of the council budgetEach year we set a budget to establish how much we need to spend to provide services to the community within the resources available. A significant proportion of our total expenditure is met from general and specific government grants, including grants for schools. We retain a proportion of business rates and receive other income such as fees and charges. The remainder (14 per cent) is met from council tax.

The total amount we need to spend in 2015/16 is £437.2 million including precepts from parish councils and levies from levying bodies. This is shown in the table below which compares this year’s figures to those of 2014/15.

To arrive at the amount of money we need to raise from council tax payers (£59.5 million), income from government grants, business rates and other service income is deducted.

The table shows an increase in the amount raised from council tax. This is due to our growing taxbase (more homes) and does not result in an increase in the basic amount of council tax. The council will receive less school funding as more schools become academies. There is a matching reduction in expenditure.

The amount of money we receive from government will have reduced by nearly 40 per cent during the course of this parliament. For 2015/16 the council needs to bridge a gap of £25 million in order to deal with an increased need for council services and remain within our funding levels.

Peterborough currently has one of the lowest council tax levels in the country and will maintain this position by freezing council tax for 2015/16.

In deciding where the savings will be made we have maintained our commitment to the priorities of keeping children and vulnerable adults safe, improving educational attainment, promoting growth, regeneration and economic development, supporting culture and the environment, keeping our communities safe, cohesive and healthy and achieving the best health and wellbeing for the city. The budget proposals were agreed following extensive public consultation.

Your Council Tax

Cost of services2014/15 2015/16 Change

£m £m %

Gross expenditure 444.8 437.2 -1.7

Less:

Service income 157.1 166.0 5.7

Government support - revenue support grant 46.0 34.3 -25.4

Locally retained business rates 45.9 47.2 2.8

Schools grants 137.8 130.2 -5.5

Council tax requirement 58.0 59.5 2.6

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Where does the £437.2 million (£444.8 million) come from?

An analysis of the gross income for 2015/16 is shown in the chart below.

Schools funding £130.2m (£137.8m) Housing benefit subsidy £72.6m (£72.6m) Council tax £59.5m (£58m) Revenue support grant £34.3m (£46m) Locally retained business rates £47.2m (£45.9m) Specific grants £39.2m (£33.8m) Income from fees and charges £24m (£23.1m) Other income £30.2m (£27.6m)

What will be provided for £437.2million (£444.8 million)?

An analysis of the gross expenditure for 2015/16 is shown in the chart below.

Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing £55.3m (£55.3m)

Chief Executive £0.4m (£0.5m) Children’s Services £141.7m (£147.4m) Housing benefit £72.6m (£72.6m) Communities £43.1m (£42.5m) Governance £12.4m (£12.8m) Growth and Regeneration £15.9m (£17.6m) Resources £88.1m (£88.7m) Business rates tariff £6.6m (£6.4m) Levies and precepts £1.1m (£1m)

30%

16%

14%

8%

11%

9%

5%7%

Balancing our books

*Note: Figures in brackets represent the corresponding values for 2014/15

The majority of our funding (63 per cent) comes from the government and comprises specific funding for schools, revenue support grant (RSG) and individual grants for specific purposes, such as housing benefits.

Our other main sources of income are council tax and a proportion of the business rates collected.

We are committed to a council tax freeze for 2015/16 of £1,128.03 for a Band D property (excluding fire, police and parish precepts). Peterborough currently has one of the lowest council tax levels in the country.

The main expenditure is incurred in Children’s Services (including schools), Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing and Communities which includes the commissioning function for Children’s Services.

Growth and Regeneration covers planning, transport, engineering and highways. Governance includes commercial operations such as parking services, legal services and the licensing function.

Resources includes major external contracts for waste management, cultural services, support services and capital financing costs. Chief Executive’s includes some support and project costs.

13%

32%

17%

10%

4%

20%

3%

1%

Less than 1%

Less than 1%

Your Council Tax

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Levies paid to other organisations by Peterborough City CouncilLevies are statutory payments made to other organisations who are funded by local taxpayers. The total levy issued is shared in proportion to the taxbase of all contributing local authorities.

The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood and coastal erosion risk management for 2,292 kilometres of main river and tidal and sea defences in the area of the Anglian Northern region. Money is spent on the construction of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood defences. It is also spent on the operation of a flood warning system and management of the risk of coastal erosion.

The majority of the funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However some schemes do not attract full funding and to ensure the

scheme’s completion the Environment Agency may seek match funding from councils in the form of a levy.

Changes in the gross budgeted expenditure between the years reflects the impact of the Government Spending Review and national prioritisation of capital projects. The total levy raised by the Environment Agency has decreased by £160.

Internal drainage boards manage an extensive network of watercourses, embankments, pumping stations and other water control assets within the local area in order to maintain water levels and mitigate the risk of flooding. Under the Land Drainage Act 1991 boards can raise income from the areas for which they provide water level management to maintain and improve their assets. This is partly achieved by a levy on local authorities.

Your Council Tax

Levying bodies

2014/15 2015/16Change

in council levy

Gross exp

Levy raisedGross

exp

Levy raised

TotalCouncil

shareTotal

Council share

£m £m £m £m £m £m %

Environment Agency Anglian Region

44.7 1.7 0.2 42.8 1.7 0.2 0.0

Welland and Deepings Drainage Board

2.1 1.5 0.2 2.1 1.5 0.2 1.8

North Level District Drainage Board

1.5 0.7 0.3 1.5 0.8 0.3 2.0

*The levy for Welland and Deepings Drainage Board has increased by £2,813 and for North Level District Drainage Board by £5,607. The increases are not large enough to show in our financial figures table.

Your Council Tax

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How much is council tax?We set the council tax by adding together the amounts needed by Peterborough City Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority and your parish council (if you have one).

We collect the total tax on behalf of the other organisations. We set the charge for band D properties. We then set the charges for properties in other bands in proportion to this, as set by an Act of Parliament.

Band D Charge

2014/15 2015/16 change

Peterborough City Council £1,128.03 £1,128.03 0%

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire £181.35 £181.35 0%

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority £64.26 £64.26 0%

Total £1,373.64 £1,373.64 0%

Precepts 2014/15

£

Precepts 2015/16

£Parish

Band D parish charge 2015/16

£

Band D total charge 2015/16

£

4,412 5,614 Ailsworth 24.21 1,397.85

5,309 5,695 Bainton & Ashton 38.77 1,412.41

9,108 10,776 Barnack 26.65 1,400.29

72,457 80,000 Bretton 26.49 1,400.13

17,336 17,336 Castor 47.61 1,421.25

2,436 3,096 Deeping Gate 14.85 1,388.49

1,858 1,995 Etton 38.74 1,412.38

42,154 53,025 Eye 37.86 1,411.50

12,243 13,652 Glinton 23.53 1,397.17

65,047 76,315 Hampton 21.75 1,395.39

8,272 8,550 Helpston 20.43 1,394.07

733 711 Marholm 10.05 1,383.69

3,063 4,200 Maxey 13.44 1,387.08

12,498 15,250 Newborough & Borough Fen 26.80 1,400.44

16,795 20,980 Northborough 43.28 1,416.92

23,838 32,250 Orton Longueville 10.74 1,384.38

44,735 44,735 Orton Waterville 13.54 1,387.18

4,896 5,715 Peakirk 34.02 1,407.66

470 555 Southorpe 7.49 1,381.13

- - St Martins Without - 1,373.64

2,472 2,975 Sutton 44.14 1,417.78

34,017 40,710 Thorney 52.89 1,426.53

4,585 5,075 Thornhaugh 55.71 1,429.35

5,181 7,371 Ufford 60.47 1,434.11

- - Upton - 1,373.64

9,050 9,985 Wansford 42.06 1,415.70

42,061 46,936 Wittering 64.48 1,438.12

- - Wothorpe - 1,373.64

Plus the parish council charge, if you have one - see below. The amount of discretionary council funding received by parishes has been reduced.

Your Council Tax

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Council tax discounts If only one adult lives in a home, we reduce the bill by a quarter. In some cases, we do not count some groups of people when adding up how many adults live in a property. These groups of people include students, apprentices, some student nurses, certain care workers and carers, youth trainees and people with severe learning disabilities. Annexes occupied by family members may also receive a discount.

You have to claim the single person’s discount as it is not automatic. So, if you think you should receive a discount that is not shown on your bill, please contact us.

If you already receive a discount, you must tell us within 21 days about changes to the people living in your home affecting your discount (for example, someone who lives with you becoming 18 or someone else coming to live in your home). If you do not tell us, you may have to pay a £70 fine.

Who pays council tax? There is a council tax bill for all homes. The person who has to pay council tax is usually the adult householder. The amount of council tax you pay reflects the value of your home, so the more expensive your home the more council tax you have to pay.

The person who is highest in the box below is the person who has to pay. If there are two or more people at the same level for example - joint owners or joint tenants - they are all responsible for payment.

Responsibility for paymentThis list helps us decide who is the liable person:

• the resident owner (freeholder)

• the resident leaseholder

• the resident tenant

• the resident licensee

• the resident

Husbands and wives and couples living together are also both responsible for paying the bill. If nobody is living in a domestic property the owner has to pay.

The owner also has to pay if the property is:

• A residential home

• Lived in by religious communities (for example a monastery or convent)

• A house in multiple occupation – occupied by persons who do not constitute a single household

• The main home of someone employed by the owner in domestic service

• Lived in by certain ministers of religion

• Provided under Section 95, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Council tax instalments are usually payable over 10 months.

You now have the right to request your instalments over 12 months and to do so you must apply in writing to the council by 8 April 2015. Any written applications received after this date will be entitled to be spread over the number of full months remaining in the year.

Council tax support If you are having difficulty paying your council tax there is a chance you will be entitled to some help. Many people may be entitled to reduced council tax, for example those receiving Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based), Employment Support Allowance (income related) or Pension Credit (guaranteed). If you receive one of these incomes please contact us as soon as possible.

The amount of council tax support may be reduced if there are other adults living in your home.

• Even if you qualify for only £1 per week this will reduce your bill by £52 that year

• You may qualify if you are working or unemployed

• Both tenants and owner occupiers can apply

• People of state pension age can get up to 100 per cent reduction in their council tax. Those of working age can get up to 70 per cent reduction

• If you pay for childcare up to £175 a week for one child, or £300 for two or more children, can be disregarded from your earnings.

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Your Council Tax

Council tax exemptionsExempt homes Some homes are exempt from council tax, meaning that no one has to pay.

This includes homes:

• lived in only by students

• where all the residents are under 18 years old

• where all the residents have severe learning disabilities

• that are owned or leased by a diplomat or a member of visiting armed forces

• that are empty, including the following:

- substantially unfurnished (discounted for up to one month)

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

- left empty by someone who has gone to prison, hospital or a nursing or residential home

- left empty by someone who has died (exempt up to six months after grant of probate)

- have been repossessed, or are the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee

- awaiting to be lived in by a minister of religion

- empty caravan pitches or boat moorings

On 1 April 2013 some council tax exemptions and discounts changed. These changes are highlighted below for 2015/16.

Substantially unfurnished and unoccupied: Changed from a six month exemption to a one month discount of 100 per cent.

Undergoing structural alteration or major repair: 12 month exemption removed in full.

Second homes: 10 per cent discount removed in full.In addition to the above a 50 per cent premium will be applied to those properties which have been empty for more than two years.

Help with council tax for disabled people If you, or an adult or child who lives with you, has a room, an extra bathroom or kitchen or extra space in your property to allow the use of a wheelchair that is needed to meet the special needs of the disability, we may be able to reduce your bill. Please contact us for more information.

Contact If you are unsure about whether you can get help, please call 01733 452258 and ask us to check for you. The quicker you ask, the less you may have to pay.

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Your Council Tax

Valuation bandsThe government has put all homes in one of eight bands depending on their open-market value as at 1 April 1991.

This cannot take account of any changes in the price of property (either up or down) since April 1991. The council tax is set at the level of Band D properties. Other bands pay in proportions of ninths, as shown below.

Council tax banding appeals The listing officer of the valuation office agency (part of HM Revenue and Customs) values a home for banding.

If you think that your valuation band is wrong, you must contact the listing officer. The address is:

The Listing Officer, Council Tax East, Valuation Office Agency, Ground Floor, Ferrer’s House, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AB

Fax: 03000 500975 Email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk National helpline: 0845 602 1507

Valuation band Values

Proportion of band

D payable

A Up to £40,000 6/9ths

B £40,001 to £52,000 7/9ths

C £52,001 to £68,000 8/9ths

D £68,001 to £88,000 9/9ths

E £88,001 to £120,000 11/9ths

F £120,001 to £160,000 13/9ths

G £160,001 to £320,000 15/9ths

H More than £320,000 18/9ths

Council tax liability appeals You can appeal if you think your bill is incorrect – for example, if you are not the resident, if you think you should have an exemption, or there is a mistake in working out your bill. You may appeal in writing to us, giving your reasons so that we can look at your case again.

Please note: Making an appeal does not allow you to stop paying the council tax that is due.

If your appeal is successful, you will be entitled to a refund of any council tax you have overpaid. If you would like more details of the appeals procedure (including the role of valuation tribunals), please contact us on 01733 452258.

Your Council Tax

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Do it onlineYou can set up direct debit payments for council tax and get information about benefits and business rates in a matter of minutes - if you do it online.

The self-service function of our website allows residents to pay council tax online. These services are improving the lives of Peterborough residents.

There’s also an online housing benefits and council tax support application form. This means:

• no need to phone and wait for a form to arrive in the post

• no need to trek into town to pick up or drop off a form

• no more endless pages of forms to fill in

For more information visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/getbritainonline

How you can sign up Sign up for self service and access information about your benefits, council tax or business rates. You will be provided with a secure login to ensure that the confidentiality of information is not breached.

To find out more information or to sign up for any of the self service options visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/doitonline

Benefit self service Benefit landlord’s self service

In addition to now being able to claim benefits online, you can also sign up to benefit self service. This will allow you to view the following information about your claim:

• benefit payments

• calculations

• household members

• income used in assessment

• overpayments/invoices

Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your tenant’s claim if being paid direct:

• summary of claim details

• payment details

• overpayments/invoices

• view correspondence

Council tax self service Business rates self service

Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your council tax account:

• payment details

• account and property details

• correspondence sent

• e-billing sign up

• set up a Direct Debit

• make an arrangement

Once signed up you will be able to view the following information about your business rate account:

• account details

• bill details

• rateable values

Applying for a benefit Register in three simple steps:

Step one – log on to www.peterborough.gov.uk, click do it online and apply

Step two – answer a few questions then click submit

Step three - scan and email the documents the form requests

There are a number of ways you can contact Peterborough City Council. If you can’t find the answer to your question on our website - www.peterborough.gov.uk you can send us an email using the ‘contact us’ page on the website or send an email to ask@peterborough.gov.uk. You can also call 01733 452258.

Your Council Tax

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Are you the owner of an empty home?An empty home can be a constant worry. What could be making you money can actually cost you money.

We are committed to reducing the number of empty properties in the city and tackling the issues associated with long-term empty homes.

If you own a property that has been empty for at least six months, the Peterborough Empty Homes Partnership can work with you to improve it, rent it out and generate an income. For options, advice and support in returning an empty property to use, contact our empty homes officer on 01733 864127.

There are currently around 500 long-term empty homes in Peterborough. It is estimated that 25 per cent of these are actually occupied, but still registered as empty.

Properties registered as being empty for over two years could be liable for an empty homes premium of an additional 50 per cent, as well as being at risk of having enforcement action, so ensuring the

information is correct is important. If your council tax bill states that the property is empty when it is in fact occupied, this could affect future exemptions.

If your property has recently been empty, and is now occupied, inform our council tax department on 01733 452258 so records can be updated.

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We have 150

connecting the Whole of the city

miles of cycle routes

We empty 6 every year resulting in

60,000 and recycling

million residential bins

tonnes of waste

www.peterborough.gov.uk

Before After

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Your Fire Service

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire AuthorityCambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is responsible for providing an efficient and effective fire and rescue service. This is achieved by responding to 999 emergencies along with balancing resources across fire safety in the home and at work.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to be one of the lowest financing fire and rescue services in the country, yet continually strives to improve the service it provides to the public.

BackgroundThe fire authority has continued to face significant financial challenges for the past few years. The grant funding received from the government was reduced by 29.5 per cent over the last four financial years. The reduction for the coming year is 8.8 per cent.

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Your Fire Service

What does it mean?The budget has been prepared for the next four to five years after making a number of assumptions, which are:

• A freeze in council tax for 2015/16 following a pay award of 1.2 per cent, then a 1 per cent increase in 2016/17 onwards

• Non pay inflation has been budgeted at 1.5 per cent each year.

In summary, the authority will receive revenue support and business rate contributions of £11.4 million.

This is a reduction of £1.1 million from the grant received in 2014/15, equivalent to 8.8 per cent.

BudgetThe fire authority has approved a budget of £28.5 million for 2015/16. This is equivalent to a Band D council tax contribution of £64.26, which equates to £1.24 a week – a freeze in line with last year’s rate.

The fire authority will have estimated general reserves of £2.1 million at the end of 2014/15. This is to fund excessive operational costs that might arise.

For more information about your fire service visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk.

For the latest information about CFRS, follow us on

@cambsfrs and

Facebook/cambsfrs

What is the money spent on

2014/15 Inflation Other variations 2015/16

£m £m £m £m

Employees 21.8 0.2 -0.5 21.5

Premises 1.2 0.0 0.0 1.2

Supplies and services 5.6 0.0 -0.3 5.3

Transport 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5

Agency costs 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Capital financing 2.0 0.0 -0.2 1.8

Gross expenditure 31.2 0.2 -1.0 30.4

Income -1.9 0.0 0.0 -1.9

Net expenditure 29.3 0.2 -1.0 28.5

Where does the money come from?

2014/15 Inflation Other variations 2015/16

£m £m £m £m

Business rates 3.4 0.0 0.1 3.5

Non-ringfenced government grant 9.2 0.0 -1.3 7.9

Council tax requirement 16.7 0.2 0.2 17.1

Total 29.3 0.2 -1.0 28.5

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Your Fire Service

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Press to test Your smoke alarmCheck your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button. If you know someone that would have difficulty testing their alarm, give them a hand and press their button for them.

PRESS THE BUTTON

For news, incident updates and safety tips follow us on:

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Your Police Service

Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner As police and crime commissioner I am responsible for ensuring that the police force in Cambridgeshire is efficient and effective. My overarching objective,

and that of the constabulary, is to keep people safe.

I do not run the police force. That is the job of Chief Constable, Simon Parr. I hold him to account on behalf of the public for delivery of the Police and Crime Plan within the budget I have set.

I was pleased at the positive report the constabulary received following an inspection in 2014 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). The inspection team reported:

“Cambridgeshire Constabulary is good at reducing crime and preventing offending; good at investigating crime and good at tackling anti-social behaviour. The efficiency with which the force carries out its responsibilities is good. Through strong focus on the most vulnerable and individuals with a propensity to cause most harm in society, the force is making Cambridgeshire a safer place.”

Cambridgeshire remains one of the lowest cost forces in the country with 74 per cent of officers on front line services.

Our priorities are set out in the Police and Crime Plan. Our commitment includes:

• Maintaining local police performance

• Delivering policing within the available budget

• Tackling crime and disorder

• Keeping people safe

• Maintaining the resilience of protective services

The full Police and Crime Plan can be found on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk

The Chief Constable and I remain committed to providing an effective and efficient police service that will continue to protect those living in, working in or visiting Cambridgeshire.

Your Police Service

Sir Graham Bright

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Your Police Service

Keeping people safeThe last year has seen a number of new initiatives to help make Cambridgeshire a safer place:

• Launch the Victims’ Hub to support all victims of crime, providing specialist support services when required

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat Declaration set out how agencies that deal with people with mental health problems will work together to safeguard those in need

• Launch of the county’s first Volunteer Police Cadets group with more to follow

• The Police and Crime Commissioner issued over £2 million of grants to prevent crime and safeguard the public

• There has been a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable members of society.

Looking to the future There are a number of major programmes of work that will continue in the year ahead including:

• Collaborating with other police forces, particularly Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary to share resources and improve efficiency

• Continuing to work closely with other local agencies in order to ensure there is a joined-up approach to preventing and reducing crime

• Equipping officers with new communication technology, reducing the amount of paperwork and allowing officers to spend more time in their local communities

• Supporting the victims of crime through the Victims’ Hub and other victim focussed initiatives.

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Your Police Service

The budget

The 2015/16 budget will see a 5.1 per cent reduction in policing grant on the previous year - £4 million less in terms of money. However, through careful planning over a number of years it has been possible to balance next year’s budget and still maintain current officer numbers. Total officer numbers in 2015/16 will be 1,343.

Not only that but we are also able to freeze the policing element of the council tax for 2015/16 thereby meeting our commitment not to add unnecessary additional financial burden on the public It also allows us to claim the 1 per cent council tax freeze grant from central government.

Looking further ahead we face similar budget reductions over the next few years with an estimated additional £17 million of savings to be found by 2018/19.

Where the money comes from

2015/16 £m %

Council tax 48.2 36.6

Council tax freeze grant 6.5 4.9

Police grant 73.3 55.7

Other grants 0.9 0.7

Other income 2.1 1.6

Reserves 0.6 0.5

Total 131.6 100

What the money is spent on

2015/16 £m %

Employees 76.8 58.4

Police officer pensions 12.1 9.2

Premises 4.1 3.1

Transport 1.5 1.1

Supplies and services 11.5 8.7

Collaborated units 21.7 16.5

PCC Grants 2.2 1.7

Capital financing 1.7 1.3

Total 131.6 100

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Capital programmeThe Commissioner has a capital programme (premises and other assets) for 2015/16 of £2.6m which includes historical and new commitments such as:

• Programme Metis, ICT and communications projects to replace current systems with updated and integrated ones

• Major repairs to buildings

• Replacement of vehicles

• Collaborated Unit projects

WorkforceDespite the significant funding reduction, police officer numbers have been maintained. The total number of police officers budgeted for will be 1,343 in 2015/16 with 990 of these being local policing officer posts. A total of 816 police staff and 150 PCSOs have been included in the budget. We also have 300 Special Constables. Through collaborating with Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary also have access to additional officers if needed.

ReservesGeneral reserves are held in the event of the occurrence of any unforeseen high impact policing operations. The Commissioner will have estimated general reserves of £9.2m (7 per cent of net budget) at the end of 2014/15. The Commissioner also maintains earmarked reserves for capital financing, potential risks, new initiatives and to deal with insurance claims. These are expected to be £19.7m at the end of 2014/15.

ContactsIf you need to contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, please write to:

The Chief Executive Office of the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime CommissionerPO BOX 688HuntingdonPE29 9LA

Telephone: 0300 333 3456

Email: cambs-pcc@cambs.pnn.police.uk Website: www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk

Your Police Service

Sign up to the 2015/16 Garden Waste Collection Service

Renew or subscribe for the first time from 7 April 2015

Receive garden waste collections throughout the year for £39

The 2015/16 service will run from 25 May 2015 to 20 May 2016.

Sign up before the 22 June and you can pay by Direct Debit in three instalments.

Visit us onlinewww.peterborough.gov.uk/brownbins

by phone 01733 747474

Visit Bayard Place, Broadway PE1 1FZ

The 2014/15 annual subscription period ends on the 22 May 2015.

If you do not subscribe or re-subscribe to this service your brown bin will not be emptied after this date.

You can also take your garden waste to the Householders’ Recycling Centre in Dogsthorpe.

How to sign up…

PCC Garden Waste Scheme A5 Advert.indd 1 12/02/2015 16:06

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Sign up to the 2015/16 Garden Waste Collection Service

Renew or subscribe for the first time from 7 April 2015

Receive garden waste collections throughout the year for £39

The 2015/16 service will run from 25 May 2015 to 20 May 2016.

Sign up before the 22 June and you can pay by Direct Debit in three instalments.

Visit us onlinewww.peterborough.gov.uk/brownbins

by phone 01733 747474

Visit Bayard Place, Broadway PE1 1FZ

The 2014/15 annual subscription period ends on the 22 May 2015.

If you do not subscribe or re-subscribe to this service your brown bin will not be emptied after this date.

You can also take your garden waste to the Householders’ Recycling Centre in Dogsthorpe.

How to sign up…

PCC Garden Waste Scheme A5 Advert.indd 1 12/02/2015 16:06

Keeping Peterborough movingThree major road schemes to improve access into and out of the city continue to gather pace.

The A1/A47 Wansford interchange, which carries over 60,000 vehicles a day, is being improved with the eastbound A47 and A1 slip road widened and new traffic signals installed at the eastern roundabout.

The changes, which are expected to be completed by the end of March 2015, will help improve traffic flow and safety for road users.

Works to transform Bourges Boulevard into an appealing gateway continue. Contractors are resurfacing footways, installing new street lighting and tree planters. In addition, a new traffic signal controlled junction is being built at the entrance of the railway station.

The junction 17-2 Fletton Parkway scheme will reduce traffic congestion and cater for future city growth. Contractors are installing new drainage, street lighting, safety barriers, signage and average speed cameras. Works are expected to be completed by May 2015.

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Fostering a futureWe currently have 370 children in care every day. Whilst most of those children live locally with our own foster carers, some children, especially sibling groups and teenagers, are still placed with external fostering agencies.

This can impact on their learning, making it harder to maintain relationships with their friends and costing twice as much as when children stay with a Peterborough City Council foster carer. This gives us less money to invest into front line services and supporting families where they need it most.

That’s why we need more of the best local foster carers to help children stay in Peterborough, attend the same schools and grow up with the same friends. In return, we will support you personally, professionally and financially.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer visit www.peterboroughfostering.co.uk or call us on 01733 317427.

Private fostering Private fostering is when a child is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a ‘close relative’. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and carer, for 28 days or more. Close relatives are defined as step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts. If you are part of a private fostering arrangement, or know of one in a professional capacity, it is your duty to let us know. Families could be missing out on support.

Peterborough Fostering

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Shaping a Smarter, more SuStainable city

“ ”

With the support of local residents, we’re making Peterborough a better place to live and work for everyone.

Driving innovation

Bringing CitY Data to LiFE

CULtivating nEW SKiLLS

SUPPorting BUSinESS initiativES

Peterborough DNA is the programme creating a step change in how the city works.

FinD out hoW to get your innoVatiVe buSineSS iDeaS oFF the grounD

To join the discussion go to: www.brainwaveinnovations.co.uk

To find out more and get involved in the programme go to: www.peterboroughdna.com

FolloW uS at @peterboroughDna

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16-18? Leaving school this year?Come along and find out more about your choices at City College Peterborough. Full-time programmes and Apprenticeships in:l Office Skills l Health and Social Care l Construction l Business Admin l Hairdressing l Social Media & Digital Marketingl Childcare l IT User/Professional l Sportl Creative & Digital Media l Motor Vehicle l Step-Up l Customer Service l Catering/Food & Drink l ESOLAll programmes include Functional English, Maths and Work Experience.

Call a member of our Choices Team on (01733) 555197, email choices@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk or call into the Youth Access Hub at City College Peterborough, Brook Street, Peterborough PE1 1TU Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1pm - 4.30pm

www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Shout out to school leavers

2015

Follow us on:

World class technical education on offer in PeterboroughThe Greater Peterborough University Technical College (UTC) is now under construction. This new school will provide high-quality technical education for 14 to 18 year old students.

Students will join in year 10 or 12 and benefit from a brand new purpose built facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

Students will study all mandatory subjects at GCSE as well as technical qualifications including construction or engineering.

The school has a vision to provide ‘world class technical education so that our students can play a full and productive part in modern Britain and across the globe’.

Parents and students are encouraged to register their interest now.

For more information go to: www.gputc.com email: info@gputc.com call: 0345 872 8722 or follow the school on Twitter @GPUTC and Facebook as GreaterPeterboroughUTC

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What’s onHere is just a snippet of what events are in store for our city this year.

For a full list of what’s on in and around the city visit www.visitpeterborough.com/events

Visit this website or drop into the Visitor Information Centre on Bridge Street. Here you can book tickets for gigs, shows and events. You can also find out where to stay, eat and drink. Alternatively, call 01733 452336.

MarchPeterborough Comedy Festival Wednesday 11 to Monday 16 March, Key Theatre, Embankment Road

MART Fair Thursday 19 to Saturday 28 March, Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park

The Mayor’s Charity Ball Friday 20 March, Holiday Inn Peterborough West, Thorpe Wood

Peterborough Festival of Antiques Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

Easter Trail Saturday 28 March to Monday 13 April, Ferry Meadows Country Park

Peter Pan Tuesday 31 March, The Cresset, Bretton Centre

AprilThe Real Thing Thursday 2 April, Key Theatre, Embankment Road

National Motorhomes Show Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

Last Night of the Proms Sunday 19 April, Key Theatre, Embankment Road

MayTruckfest Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

MCN Festival of Motorcycling Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

The Green Festival Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, Cathedral Square, Peterborough

Sing-a-Long-a Frozen Tuesday 26 May, Key Theatre, Embankment Road

JuneCherry Fair Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 June, Peterborough Embankment

Pearl Izumi Tour Series cycle race Tuesday 9 June, Peterborough City Centre

Dragonboat Festival Saturday 13 June, Peterborough Rowing Lake

Heritage Festival Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, Peterborough Embankment

Pretty Muddy Sunday 21 June, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

Horse Fair Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, Peterborough Embankment

JulyOpen Air Theatre Sherlock Holmes Friday 17 July, Ferry Meadows Country Park

What’s on

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What’s on

• Open Tuesday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm

• Locally grown produce

• Extensive variety of goods and stalls

• Friendly community of knowledgeable traders

• Low prices and great weekly offers

• Regular events

Telephone: 01733 454454

Less than 5 minutes walk from Queensgate Shopping Centre

City Marketlove your

Film Festival Wednesday 29 July to Sunday 2 August, Burghley House

AugustOthello Wednesday 26 August, Key Theatre, Embankment Road

Peterborough Beer Festival Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 August, Peterborough Embankment

SeptemberArts Festival Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 September, City Centre

Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, Peterborough Embankment

Heritage Open Days Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September, Peterborough City Centre

Italian Festival Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, Peterborough City Centre

OctoberBridge Fair Thursday 1 October to Sunday 11 October, Peterborough Embankment

Perkins Great Eastern Run Sunday 11 October, Start and finish line on Peterborough Embankment

Diwali Festival Saturday 31 October, Cathedral Square

NovemberFireworks Fiesta Saturday 7 November, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground

www.visitpeterborough.com