Making payments - Borough Council of Wellingborough ...
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Making payments
Direct Debit
This is the council’s preferred method of payment, as it’s the most efficient and cost effective.
Phone 01933 231 690 or complete the instruction on your demand notice and return it to
the council. For instructions set up during the payment year any outstanding instalment
will be added to the first payment.
Debit or credit card – internet or telephone Council Tax 2020-2021
Log on to www.wellingborough.gov.uk or telephone 0333 772 0789.
PayPoint
Take your bar-coded demand notice to make cash payments, free at all PayPoint
outlets. Some may accept debit cards but may charge for this.
Post Office
Take your bar-coded demand notice to pay with cash, cheque or a debit card, for free.
Cheques by post .
Make cheques payable to ‘Borough Council of Wellingborough’, quoting the council tax
account number on the back. Post to: Revenue and Benefits, Council Offices, Tithe
Barn Road, Wellingborough NN8 1BN .
.
Option to pay by 12 instalments
If you wish to pay your council tax over 12 instalments, rather than the 10 instalments
that are shown on your demand notice, please contact the council no later than 15 April
2020.
.
Having difficulty paying? Are you getting all the help that you are entitled to?
You could be entitled to a reduction if you live alone, if someone in the property is
a student, or someone is being cared for. If you are unemployed or on a low
income, then you could be entitled to council tax support (CTS), a local award of
up to 80% of your bill. If you are already getting council tax support, there is no
need to re-apply. We will write to you .with details of your new entitlement. For
more information please contact us or go to our website. Photography by Air Commission Ltd & www.beckphotograpghic.com
Council tax enquiries Your borough council tax is just 50p a day
*based on the average band D property
Tel: 01933 231 690 Email: counciltax@wellingborough.gov.uk
Benefit and council tax support enquiries
.
Tel: 01933 231 692 Email: benefits@wellingborough.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 8:30am to 5pm, Thurs 9:30am to 5 pm, Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm.
If you would like any Borough Council of Wellingborough documents in large
type, on audio tape or translated, please contact the council offices.
Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of
Message from Councillor Martin Griffiths, Leader of Wellingborough Council
Setting the council’s budget and the council tax is always a challenging process and one of the most Your council tax
difficult decisions councillors have to make. We try to provide value for money by balancing the cost The average band D council tax of There are no easy solutions to the
of providing services against affordability for the local taxpayer. £183.16 for borough council and challenges we face. We are reviewing
parish council services remains one all services across the council to
We are committed to providing high quality, yet affordable services and facilities for our residents, identify further efficiencies, savings and
while ensuring that Wellingborough’s Council Tax remains one of the lowest in the country. We
of the lowest in the country.
additional income generation
work very hard to ensure that we are able to provide essential services for our residents and we will
You only pay on average 50p a day opportunities and ways we can improve
continue to deliver a free garden waste collection service and provide free parking for visitors to the
town. for a wide range of services provided which include:
by the borough council and parish
Councillors resolved to increase Wellingborough’s proportion of Council Tax for 2019/20 by 4.33%, • ensure working practices are efficient,
councils.
which is the equivalent to £5 per year for the average household bill. The council retains just 10p in effective and good value for money;
every £1 collected. The remainder goes to Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. • sharing services with other authorities;
The council’s budget
This year’s council tax will bring in • increasing income from charges or
The Council and its finances have faced severe pressure over the past decade with significant
reductions of Government funding, mainly revenue support grant, coupled with an increasing income generating projects;
around £4.665m, which is about 48%
demand for statutory services. In previous years the council has utilised reserves to cope with the of the borough council’s budget. The • generating increased income from
additional pressures and funding reductions, but this was becoming unsustainable. The council has
taken the necessary measures in reducing expenditure, delivering efficiencies and generating more
rest of the council’s money comes further asset investment opportunities;
commercial income to achieve a balanced budget and create capacity to enable community funds to from a government grant, a share of
• transforming services so they are
be awarded to enhance or enable local activities without the need of using reserves. nationally collected business rates,
modern and efficient;
new homes bonus and income from
As our town grows and prospers, we need to ensure that we deliver the fees and charges. • challenge funding of non-statutory
services the public need in the best way possible and make sure that they are services where others could provide
protected for the future wherever we can. This now includes working with the
them;
newly created town council and their members once elected in May 2020.
For 2020/21, the council is
• reduce the cost of operational
Also, as chair of the North Northamptonshire Joint Committee we are playing a receiving a similar amount of
buildings;
key role in creating the new North Northamptonshire unitary council as part of funding as in 2019/20.
the wider Future Northants Programme ensuring quality services are delivered • take advantage of technology to
and putting our residents first. Further details are available here In previous years, the council has reduce costs and improve delivery;
https://www.futurenorthants.co.uk/
propped up funding shortfalls by • encourage the use of self-service
th using reserves, but these were access and contact with the council;
What is council tax? At a meeting on 25 February 2020, rapidly reducing, and this was an
Council tax helps local authorities fund Wellingborough councillors decided to • reviewing and renegotiating contracts;
unsustainable strategy.
services such as schools, roads, increase council tax by £5. This year
policing, planning, bin collections, there is a £4.24 charge for setting up the • developing further commercial
parks and lots more. new Town Council in Wellingborough. Whilst the council continues to
provide or support a wide range of opportunities;
Wellingborough Council collects Your bill shows separate county council services at a low cost to the
council tax for the borough, but also for funding for adult social care and a line for • looking at alternative solutions for
taxpayer, the significant pressures
Northamptonshire County Council the Fire & Rescue service. Your council providing services;
being faced, result in a challenging
(NCC), Northamptonshire Police, Fire tax will be higher than last year because future.
and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), and both the county council and PFCC have • disposal of assets with high
local parish councils. The borough also increased their charge. maintenance costs and reinvesting the
We have reviewed locally-raised money.
council only keeps 10p of every pound 10pcollect:
For every £1 we goes to Borough & income and made changes to
you pay in council tax. 72p goes Parish Councils spending without impacting service We will be pleased to know your views
to NCC
Wellingborough Council sets its own 4p goes to delivery, to create less reliance on as we develop proposals in more detail,
level of council tax, but it has no PFCC - Fire government funding and to remove so that they can be implemented where
control over the levels set by the 14p goes to the use of reserves. possible throughout the coming year.
County Council or the Police, Fire and PFCC – Police
Crime Commissioner.
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Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of
Some parts of the How much have we been asked to raise? Council tax is paid for most types of Properties are exempt when they are:
borough are served by Band D home, whether it is a house,
2020-2021 council tax 2019-2020 • repossessed by the lender eg bank;
a parish council as well £ £ £
bungalow, mobile home or houseboat • held for charitable purposes and unoccupied
as the borough council. Bozeat 32,000 41.67 31,700 and whether it is owned or rented. for up to six months;
There is one bill for each household. • unoccupied while the liable person is in prison
If you live in one of Great Doddington 25,000 50.51 25,000
or otherwise detained by law;
these areas you will Earls Barton 136,336 60.03 128,505
The Valuation Office Agency (part of • unoccupied because the person who would
receive an extra charge Easton Maudit 1,024 24.97 975 be liable is permanently resident in hospital or
Ecton 12,335 52.94 12,229 HM Revenue & Customs) has
in your council tax, in a residential care home;
Finedon 100,000 64.72 65,280 allocated a band to each home • unoccupied and held for a minister of religion;
which relates to what is Grendon 15,062 60.98 15,000 according to its market value on 1 • unoccupied as liable person deceased and
known as the parish Hardwick 2,800 56.00 1,800 April 1991. When ownership of the awaiting probate or within six months of probate;
precept. This is what Great Harrowden 3,500 79.55 3,500 property changes, the band can be • unoccupied because the liable person is
we collect on behalf of Little Harrowden 22,882 68.10 22,800 increased if the property has been away, giving or receiving care;
Irchester 105,183 68.21 99,737 • unoccupied and previously occupied by
parish councils through extended or improved since 1993.
Isham 27,950 74.34 27,950 students;
your council tax. Mears Ashby 16,000 61.54 16,000 • unoccupied and undergoing structural
Orlingbury 7,851 33.55 7,851 Valuation band alterations or major repair (up to six months);
Strixton 1,400 93.33 1,400 • unoccupied and the responsibility of a
Range of values (as at 1 April 1991)
Sywell 30,590 80.71 29,134 bankrupt’s trustee;
A Up to £40,000 • subject to a demolition order, compulsory
Wilby 10,300 45.58 10,300
B £40,001 to £52,000 purchase order or other prohibition of law;
Wollaston 80,092 66.08 76,278
C £52,001 to £68,000 • annexes occupied by a qualifying relative;
Total parishes 630,305 575,439 • an unoccupied annexe;
Wellingborough D £68,001 to £88,000
E £88,001 to £120,000 • an empty pitch or mooring;
special expenses 900,152 59.24 891,858 • occupied entirely by students (including
Wellingborough Town 64,427 4.24 - F £120,001 to £160,000
student halls of residence);
1,594,884 1,467,297 G £160,001 to £320,000 • armed forces barracks and married
Band D H More than £320,000 quarters;
Why has the budget changed
council tax • occupied by at least one liable person who
between 2019/2020 and 2020/2021? is a member of a visiting force;
Amount inc parishes If you think the band is wrong, write to
£ the Valuation Office Agency, • occupied only by residents under 18 years
£’000
of age;
Inflation 0 0.00 Princess House, Cliftonville Road, • occupied only by residents who are severely
Service changes & demand pressures 586 23.00 Northampton NN1 5AE mentally impaired;
Efficiency and other savings -1,728 -67.88 (03000 501 501 www.voa.gov.uk). • occupied only by at least one liable person
Parish precepts 120 4.69 They will tell you how to appeal. who is a foreign diplomat.
Change in budget requirement -1,022 -40.19
These categories are only broad descriptions
Why has the council tax changed Council tax exemptions of the available exemptions. Further information
More information on between 2019/2020 and 2020/2021? is available from the council tax team.
Band D A property may be exempt from
the council’s budget council tax council tax, however some of the Exemptions are reviewed at least once a
is available from the Amount inc parishes exemptions are time restricted. A list year. You may be required to provide
£’000 £ information that supports your exemption
Section 151 Officer, of exemptions appears in the next
Change in budget requirement (see above) -1,022 -40.19 application. Failure to supply this information
Swanspool House, Reduction in collection fund surplus 20 0.78 column, for you to check whether could mean any entitlement is cancelled.
Wellingborough, Changes in government funding -435 -17.11 your property qualifies. If you do not
think your bill is correct, please You must tell the council of any changes
NN8 1BP, telephone Reduction in use of reserves 1,734 68.08
that affect your entitlement, within 21 days
01933 229 777. Increase in tax base -60 -2.37 contact the council tax team for help of the change.
Change in average council tax band D 236 9.19 and advice on 01933 231 690.
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Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of Making Wellingborough a place to be proud of
Discounts People with disabilities If you are married, in a civil partnership, Appeals
The council tax demand assumes that jointly own the home, jointly rent the You may appeal if you consider that you
If you, or someone who lives with you,
there are two or more adults living in each home or live in it together, you are are not liable to pay council tax, for
needs a room, an extra bathroom, a
property. If only one adult lives in the kitchen, or the use of a wheelchair around equally responsible for paying council example because you are not the resident
property, a single person discount of 25% the house to meet the needs of disability, tax. This is known as ‘joint and several or owner, or because your property is
can apply. You must tell us about any you may qualify for a reduction in your liability’. In a house with multiple exempt, or that we have made a mistake
changes to your household which could council tax. Council tax payable may be occupation (such as bedsits with shared calculating your bill. If you wish to
affect your entitlement, within 21 days of reduced to a lower valuation band. cooking and washing facilities), the appeal on these grounds you must notify
the change. If you fail to do so, you may landlord is responsible for paying the us in writing, and we will readily review
be required to pay a penalty. council tax. the situation.
When deciding how many adults are living Council tax support (CTS)
HOW MUCH DO WELLINGBOROUGH COUNCIL SERVICES COST?
in a property, the following are Support of up to 80% of the council
disregarded for council tax: tax bill may be available for people of 2020/2021 Band D 2019/20
working age who are on a low Expenditure Income Net Council Tax Net
• full-time students, student nurses, £’000 £’000 £’000 £ £’000
apprentices and Youth Training trainees; income, even if they are working. Community Support 861 37 824 32.35 972
• patients resident in hospital; Environmental & Health Protection 902 211 691 27.13 513
• people who are looked after in care If the council tax payer is of pension Housing 1,218 750 468 18.38 683
homes; age, full support may be available. A Planning & Local Development 1,558 917 641 25.17 581
• people who are severely mentally second adult rebate may apply where Environment Services 4,660 1,257 3,403 133.61 3,653
impaired; a person of pension age shares their Organisational Development 249 - 249 9.78 227
• people staying in certain hostels or night Democratic Services 787 3 784 30.78 781
home with other adults on low Operational Property 739 15 724 28.43 754
shelters; incomes. Shared Services 1,058 - 1,058 41.54 958
• 18 and 19 year olds who are at, or have Accountancy & Audit 881 144 737 28.94 841
just left, school; If you think you may qualify for Revenues & Benefits 21,475 20,695 780 30.63 995
• care-workers working for low pay, usually council tax support, please contact Corporate Management 282 - 282 11.07 181
for charities; the council on 01933 231 692. We Corporate Income & Expenditure -276 100 -376 -14.76 -302
• people caring for someone with a can offer you help in managing your Net Cost of Services 34,393 24,130 10,264 403.05 10,837
disability, who is not a partner or child Trading Accounts -2,309 -90.67 -1,817
payments while your application is Interest & Investment Income -367 -14.42 -289
under 18;
• diplomats, members of visiting forces being assessed. Pension Backfunding Contribution 1,352 53.07 1,352
Parish Precepts 695 27.29 575
and certain international institutions;
• members of religious communities;
Who has to pay? Budget Requirement 9,635 378.32 10,658
• people in prison (except those in prison Less
for non-payment of council tax or a fine). Only people aged 18 years or over are Revenue Support Grant from the Government -227 -8.92 -
liable to pay. Redistributed Non-Domestic Rates -3,811 -149.64 -3,506
Long-term empty properties New Homes Bonus -932 -36.60 -1,029
You have to pay if you: Use of General Fund balances - - -1,734
Properties which have been empty for • own your home; Collection Fund Deficit (-Surplus) – Wellingborough - - -20
longer than two years will be charged at • are a tenant; Share
150% of the council tax for that property
• have a contract to live in the property; Amount to be raised from Council Tax 4,665 183.16 4,369
band. This applies from the date the
property became empty regardless of
• are a resident;
any change of ownership. • own a home which is unoccupied.
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