Council Tax 2018-19 Inside: How we spend your money Council tax bands Discounts, exemptions and support - Rochdale Borough Council
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Council Tax 2018-19 Inside: • How we spend your money • Council tax bands • Discounts, exemptions and support rochdale.gov.uk/counciltax
Introduction
Council tax is a tax on domestic properties. It is collected by local councils and it
helps to pay for services which Rochdale Borough Council provides, such as adult
social care, education, refuse collection and street lighting. Council tax is charged
on all domestic properties, whether they are rented or owned, and whether they
are lived in or not.
This booklet forms part of your 2018/2019 council tax bill. In it, you can find
information and advice, including ways in which you might be able to reduce your
bill. This booklet also provides information and advice about the empty-home
premium. The different sections of this booklet are listed opposite.
QUICK SAFE EASY The quickest and safest way to pay
is Direct Debit. You can reduce your
monthly payment by spreading
the cost over 12 months.
You can set up a Direct Debit by:
• Registering for MyAccount at
rochdale.gov.uk/MyAccount
• Ringing us on 0300 303 8870 with your
council tax reference number and bank details.
rochdale.gov.uk 2
Contents Council tax facts 4 Adult Social Care 5 How to pay 5 Unoccupied properties 6 Exemptions 7 Discounts 7 Appeals 8 Local council tax support 9 Where our funding comes from 9 How we spend your money 10 My Account (online services) 13 Contact us 14 If you need help understanding this booklet please telephone 0300 303 8870 rochdale.gov.uk 3
Council tax facts
Council tax is set by Rochdale Borough Council, including a charge for adult social
care. We also collect money on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority,
although we’re not responsible for running the services they provide. The person who
lives in a property normally pays the council tax, whether they own or rent it.
Properties are given a valuation band based on an estimate of how much the
property would have been worth if it was sold on the open market on 1 April 1991
(not the current value). An officer of the Valuation Office Agency (known as the
listing officer) sets the band. The maximum amount you have to pay is shown
below. You may pay less if you are entitled to a discount, exemption or council tax
support and you can find information about these on pages 6, 7 and 9.
How council tax is calculated
The amount we need to raise from council tax for 2018-2019 is £81.5m. This works out
at £1,763.68 for the average band D property. This includes charges for adult social
care and the services provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Council tax
Council tax (Band
(Band D)
D)
% change 2018/2019
Council 3.0 £1,424.44
Adult Social Care 2.0 £96.99
Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept £174.30
Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) £67.95
Total 5.5% £1,763.68
On your council tax bill you will see the increase relating to the council tax quoted at
3.0%, however, the actual increase is 2.99% and therefore is not classed as excessive.
The council tax charge for each valuation band is as follows:
Valuation Range of values Council tax
band (at April 1991) 2017/2018 2018/2019
A Up to £40,000 £1,114.25 £1,175.78
B £40,001 - £52,000 £1,299.95 £1,371.75
C £52,001 - £68,000 £1,485.66 £1,567.70
D £68,001 - £88,000 £1,671.37 £1,763.68
E £88,001 - £120,000 £2,042.79 £2,155.60
F £120,001 - £160,000 £2,414.20 £2,547.54
G £160,001 - £320,000 £2,785.62 £2,939.46
H More than £320,000 £3,342.74 £3,527.36
rochdale.gov.uk 4Adult Social Care It may not be possible to do this for
2018/2019, but the sooner you contact
The Secretary of State for us the more months we can offer.
Communities and Local Government
has made an offer to adult social Make life easier - pay by
care authorities. (“Adult social care Direct Debit
authorities” are local authorities which
have functions under Part 1 of the Care Direct Debit is the simplest, safest
Act 2014, namely county councils in and easiest way to pay. This is also
England, district councils for an area in the cheapest way for us to get your
England for which there is no county payment. Paying by Direct Debit gives
council, London borough councils, the you lots of options, you can pay:
Common Council of the City of London
and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.) • every week on a Friday
• every two weeks on a Friday
The offer is the option of an adult • every four weeks on a Friday
social care authority being able to • every month on either the 1st, 9th,
charge an additional “precept” on its 15th, 19th or 25th
council tax for financial years from
the financial year beginning in 2016 Setting up a Direct Debit couldn’t be
without holding a referendum, to assist easier you can:
the authority in meeting expenditure
on adult social care. Subject to the • Register for MyAccount at rochdale.
annual approval of the House of gov.uk/MyAccount
Commons, the Secretary of State
• Ringing us on 0300 303 8870 with
intends to offer the option of charging
your council tax reference number
this “precept” at an appropriate
and bank details.
level in each financial year up to and
including the financial year 2019-20. Pay by debit or credit card
Greater Manchester rochdale.gov.uk/counciltax
Combined Authority and click on ‘Pay your Council Tax’
Every year, some of your council tax Use our 24 hour automated
bill goes towards funding both the telephone system 01706 926 180
police and fire services. This year your
bill references the mayor as he is now Speak to a customer service
responsible for these services. A small advisor 0300 303 8889
part of your bill (£6.22 for the average
You will need your council tax reference
Band B bill over the course of the year)
is being applied to fund other mayoral number and your debit or credit card.
responsibilities. This is explained in
detail at www.greatermanchester-ca.
Pay by cash
gov.uk/counciltax. At any Post Office or PayPoint outlet
using the barcode printed on your
How to pay your new bill.
council tax The Council has recently changed its
bill service provider and this means
You can pay your council tax in twelve that the barcode you need is different
monthly instalments, instead of ten. to the barcode on any old bills.
rochdale.gov.uk 5From 1 April 2018 the old barcodes • Number One Riverside, Smith
won’t work at either the Post Office or Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU
a PayPoint outlet so you need to make
• Middleton Library, Long Street,
sure you start to use your new bill to
make your payments and take this to Middleton, M24 6DU
the Post Office or PayPoint outlet. • Heywood Library, Lance Corporal
Your new barcode will start with Stephen Shaw M C Way,
982652. Heywood, OL10 1LL
This is a free service.
Unoccupied Properties
Pay by Pingit
• If the property is empty and
You can use the Pingit app on your unfurnished you can receive the
mobile device to send us a payment. following discounts. These also apply
Simply open the app and scan the QR to newly built properties after they
code on the front of your bill to make a are finished as long as the property
quick, easy and secure payment with
remains empty and unfurnished.
no need to enter your card details.
• 100% discount for up to one month.
For more information about the Pingit • 25% discount for up to a further
app you can visit Barclays Bank website five months.
at barclays.co.uk/pingit. • After six months, the full council
tax becomes payable.
What if you’re
• If the property is empty and
struggling to pay? unfurnished because it needs
It’s really important that you contact structural repairs or alterations to
us as soon as you can and we’ll try to make it fit to live in you can receive
help. We’ll first check your bill is correct the following discounts.
for your circumstances and change • 100% discount for up to one month.
it if necessary. We’ll then discuss a • 25% discount for up to a further
convenient way for you to pay; this eleven months.
could be every week, every two weeks, • After twelve months, the full
every four weeks or monthly. The council tax becomes payable.
earlier you contact us, the more options
you might have. Empty-home premium
For help and advice about paying your We will add 50% to council tax bills for
bill or to discuss payment plan options properties which have been empty and
contact one of our customer service unfurnished for two years or more.
advisors. This means that you will receive a bill
for 100% of the full charge plus an extra
You can do this by: 50% charge on top of this.
to revenues.benefits@rochdale.gov.uk If your bill shows this premium and
you don’t think it should you must
to PO Box 490, Rochdale, OL16 9AJ write to us to tell us why within 21 days
on 0300 303 8870 of receiving the bill. We will review
(8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) your account and write to tell you our
decision. If you don’t write to us within
by calling into one of our Customer 21 days of receiving your bill we might
Service Centres at: not be able to review your account.
rochdale.gov.uk 6We introduced this premium to
encourage owners to bring empty
Discounts
properties back into use. This is in line If you live on your own and are over 18
with our Empty Property Strategy. years old you can claim a discount of
The empty-home premium doesn’t 25%. You can also claim a discount of
apply to the following: 25% or 50% if you live with other people
who are in a group which receives a
• A home which has been left
discount. These groups include:
empty by a person who lives in
accommodation provided by the • people who are under 18 years old.
Ministry of Defence (for example,
service personnel posted away • students, student nurses, apprentices
from home). and some care workers.
• A home which is part of another • people in care homes or hospital,
home (for example, an annexe). or in prison, or who have a severe
The full council tax charge is payable learning disability, mental illness or
for properties which are empty and form of dementia.
furnished or which are a second home.
Annexes
Exemptions A 50% discount is available for
Sometimes you may not have to pay properties with self-contained annexes
any council tax. This is known as an that are occupied by family members.
exemption. Most exemptions only apply The council tax on the main house
when no-one is living in a property, but remains unchanged. The discount is
sometimes properties which are lived in also available to residents of the main
can be exempt. property who are using the annexe.
Exemptions for unoccupied properties; Local Discount
• where the owner or tenant has died If you are a member of the armed
and a personal representative or forces and your property is left empty
executor is currently responsible for whilst you are on active service, you will
the property. be entitled to 100% discount.
• where the owner or tenant is in
prison; is in a residential or nursing We can also offer discounts to some
home; has gone to live with someone foster carers and care leavers. Please
else either to take care of them or to be see our website for the conditions and
taken care of. further information.
• which are normally occupied by a
charity (for the first six months only) Disability reduction
or by a religious minister. If your property has been specially
• which have been repossessed or adapted to meet the needs of someone
where occupation is prohibited by law. living with you who has a severe
Exemptions also include occupied disability (for example, doors widened
properties; to make room for a wheelchair, or a
• where all the residents are students. room set aside for dialysis treatment),
• where all the residents are under we may be able to reduce your bill.
18 years old.
• where all the residents are severely
mentally impaired.
rochdale.gov.uk 7More information Appeals about
For more information about discounts,
reductions, exemptions or charges on
who pays
unoccupied properties you can visit our If you don’t agree that you’re responsible
website at: for paying council tax on a property, you
can appeal. Appeals must be made in
§ rochdale.gov.uk/counciltax writing to the address shown on your bill.
You can also contact one of our customer
service advisors. You can do this: Appeals about banding
to revenues.benefits@rochdale.gov.uk You may appeal against your property
banding where:
to PO Box 490, Rochdale, OL16 9AJ
on 0300 303 8870 • You believe there has been an
(8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) increase or reduction in the value of
the property due to building work i.e.
by calling into one of our Customer demolition or converting the
Service Centres at: property from houses to flats.
• Number One Riverside, Smith • You start or stop using part of your
Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU property to carry out a business.
• Middleton Library, Long Street,
• Physical changes in the locality
Middleton, M24 6DU
affect value, or within six months of
• Heywood Library, Lance Corporal the following: a band change to your
Stephen Shaw M C Way, property made by the Valuation
Heywood, OL10 1LL Office; a band change made to a
similar property to yours has been
made by a tribunal; you have become
Fraud a taxpayer at the property in the last
six months and the previous occupier
We investigate all allegations of fraud, has not appealed.
by checking and crosschecking data,
it’s only a matter of time before people Making an appeal does not allow you to
committing fraud are caught. withhold payment.
Fraud affects all honest taxpayers You must still pay your bill whilst your
so please help us to safeguard your appeal is dealt with. If your appeal
council tax. If you suspect someone is successful any money you have
of fraud against Rochdale Borough overpaid will be refunded to you.
Council, please report it:
rochdale.gov.uk/fraud For detailed information about bandings
please contact:
fraud.ct@rochdale.gov.uk
rochdale.gov.uk/bandingappeals
01706 926 100
Manchester Valuation Office,
Fraud is a crime and those committing 17th Floor, Portland Tower,
it could get a criminal record. Portland Street, Manchester, M1 3LD.
03000 501 501
rochdale.gov.uk 8Local Council Tax Key features of the
Support support scheme
Council Tax Support helps households • If you are of working age we work
on a low income by reducing their out your Council Tax Support using
council tax bill. It doesn’t matter the amount of council tax for a Band
whether you own or rent your home, A property. This is £1,175.78 and the
anyone who is responsible to pay most you can get is 85% which is
council tax can apply. £999.41.
The amount you get depends on • If you are of pension credit age you
your income, savings and household could get up to 100% off your bill no
circumstances and you can get support matter what band your property is in.
even if you or your partner works.
• If there are other adults who live in
Claim Council Tax your home, for example a grown
up son or daughter, or a friend, the
Support government assumes that they
could give you some money towards
• It’s now quick and easy to find out if your council tax and because of
you’re entitled to Council Tax Support this the amount of support you
by using our online system. can get is reduced. The amount
of this reduction depends on your
• You can use the calculator to get circumstances as well as theirs.
an instant estimate of how much
support you might get and you can
then go on to make a claim. Where our funding
• You can get an estimate or make a comes from
claim 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The council’s overall budget for 2018/19
• You can find out what supporting is £614m and money is spent on both
evidence you need to send to us. providing day to day services (revenue
spend of £555m) as well as developing
To claim buildings and infrastructure (capital
Use the calculator at: spend of £59m). The council receives
some of its income from the numerous
rochdale.gov.uk/claimbenefits services provided, but the remainder
of the funding comes from a mixture
Or if you need help to make a claim: of central government grants, business
rates and council tax.
0300 303 8870
rochdale.gov.uk 9Revenue How the budget compares
with last year
Where our revenue Rochdale’s net budget requirement has
funding comes from £m increased by £7.7m from £196.0m to
£203.7m in 2018/19. This is because of:
27.7 0.8 £m
81.5
Inflation and contract increases 3.1
84.0 Demographics and other pressures 12.2
Decrease in Levies -0.1
58.0 Increase Charges -0.3
Grant Changes 7.8
Technical and volume variances 1.6
76.4 Savings and Funding Strategy -19.5
42.3
Reversal of one off 2017/18 Decisions 0.7
2018/19 One year only decisions 2.2
19.8 Total 7.7
164.4 How we spend your money
Council Tax
Business Rates Retained Last year This year
Revenue Support & Business Rates Top Up Grants 2017-18 2018-19
Other Non Ringfenced Grants Council Gross Net Gross Net
Dedicated Schools Grant Services Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure
(excludes Health
Housing Benefits Reimbursements £M £M £M £M
& Social Care)
Other Grants, Contributions and Income
Fees and Charges Children's 222.6 19.9 218.0 14.3
Contribution from Reserves Services
Economy 15.4 10.4 28.7 22.8
Adult social care Neighbourhoods
Resources
88.0
96.0
63.0
9.4
73.4
90.7
51.5
10.0
funding Public Health
& Wellbeing 5.9 5.0 6.0 5.1
This year the Government allowed
councils that provide adult social Other
Corporate 5.1 -8.8 -1.1 -2.8
care services the option of adding a Costs
precept of 3.0% on council tax to help Net Budget 433.0 98.9 415.7 100.9
Requirement
fund services that protect the elderly
and vulnerable. As we have an ageing Contribution to
Intergrated Pool Fund 97.1 102.8
population it’s important that we Net Budget Requirement 196.0 203.7
continue to meet the cost. That means
that this year our council tax increase Other income
Business
of 4.99% is made up of a 2.99% increase Rates -49.4 -42.3
to fund services in general and a 2.0% Business
increase to fund adult social care. Rates
Retained -52.2 -58.0
Other Non
Ring Fenced
Grants and
Income -17.6 -21.9
Council Tax
Requirement 76.8 81.5
rochdale.gov.uk 10Last year This year Capital
2017-18 2018-19
Provider Gross Net Gross Net Budgeted capital spend
Budgets Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure
(Health & £M £M £M £M
Social Care)
Adult Care 72.4 50.6 84.9 61.8 Last year This year
Children’s
2017-18 2018-19
Services 33.9 30.6 39.1 36.7 Budgeted Capital spend £m £m
Public Health Adult Care 2.0 2.4
& Wellbeing 19.1 15.9 15.1 13.0
Children’s Services 14.3 7.7
Contribution
to Providers Ecomomy 17.1 28.8
from
Integrated Neighbourhoods 14.1 20.1
Pool -125.4 -97.1 -139.1 -111.5
Public Health & Wellbeing 0.0 0.4
Total Provider
Budgets 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total 47.5 59.4
The Formal Health and Social Care
Integrated Pool is in place from
1st April 2018. Where our capital resources
NOTE: The 2017/18 figures have been come from £m
provided for comparative purposes Invest to save
(Borrowing)
only as the Pooled Fund was in Shadow
21.8
form during 2017/18. Prudential
Borrowing
21.6
The table below shows the various
levies paid to other organisations:
Last year This year External Captial
funding Receipts
2017-18 2018-19
12.7 3.3
Levies include: £m £m
Prudential Borrowing
Greater Manchester Combined Authority 8.1 21.8 Capital Receipts
GM Waste Disposal Authority 22.5 8.7 External Funding
Invest to save (Borrowing)
Environment Agency (Flood Defence) 0.1 0.1
Total 30.7 30.6
Where our capital resources Last year This year
2017-18 2018-19
come from (£m)
£m £m
Prudential Borrowing 11.1 21.6
If you would like a copy of the budget Capital Receipts 4.0 3.3
considered at Budget Council, External Funding 18.7 12.7
please visit: Invest to save (Borrowing) 13.7 21.8
Total 47.5 59.4
rochdale.gov.uk/budget
rochdale.gov.uk 11Fraud detection and information sharing We’re legally required to take part in the National Fraud Initiative’s data- matching exercise. This means the data we hold about your council tax will be used by the council and the Cabinet Office for the prevention and detection of fraud. Any information you provide to us when making claims for an exemption, discount or benefits will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. However, we have a duty to protect public funds and may use information provided to prevent and detect fraud - this may include matching council tax data with electoral registration information and residency records of other organisations. We may disclose relevant information to other council services where it’s necessary and lawful to do so for the provision of services. We may also share information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds. rochdale.gov.uk 12
Stay in control
Report it, apply for it, find it.
Accessing council services is now even quicker online.
is your online • Report a missed bin collection,
fly-tipping and more
customer account. It’s a faster, • Make a payment request e.g. bulky waste
collection, new bin
safer and more flexible way to • Check your Council Tax balance
access council services saving and claim a discount
• Set up a Direct Debit and paperless billing
time and money. • Find your councillor
• Access details of your transactions
If you’re not already signed up,
COMING SOON
register for FREE now at • Manage your Council Tax payments
rochdale.gov.uk/MyAccount • Report a benefit change
• Check your benefit payments
• Report a change of address
1. Register for an account online
REGISTER
2. Activate your account by email
NOW 3. Log in to your account and get started - that’s it!
rochdale.gov.uk/MyAccountContact us
0300 303 8870
(8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
revenues.benefits@rochdale.gov.uk
Revenues and Benefits Service,
Rochdale Borough Council,
PO Box 490, Rochdale OL16 9AJ
Do it online
Our website has lots of information For all this and more visit:
about council services and you should rochdale.gov.uk
be able to find answers to many
questions you have about what we do Environmental Management:
and how we can help. 0300 303 8884
You can get in touch with us online from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing repairs:
a computer - or even from your mobile
phone! This way you can access our 0800 027 7769
services any time, day or night. For other enquiries:
Some of the things you can do are: 01706 647474
• Search for a job council@rochdale.gov.uk
• Pay your council tax Rochdale Borough Council
• View or make a planning application Number One Riverside, PO Box 100
Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 9NP
• Renew a library book
• Check to see if you’re entitled to
benefits
• Pay a parking fine
• Apply for school places
• Request a bulky waste collection
Have you found this leaflet useful?
Does it give you all the information you want? Could we improve it?
Let us know what you think by emailing:
finance.services@rochdale.gov.uk
rochdale.gov.uk 14You can also read
