Your
Guide
2015/16 Your Council Services
and Council Tax Guide
Where the money goes / benefits / help available
About your Council Tax
About your Council
Tax
How is my dwelling valued?
Each dwelling is put in a valuation band
by the Valuation Office Agency, based on
its value as at April 1, 1991. This band
determines the amount of council tax you
will have to pay.
The bands are:
Band A
Band B
Band C
Band D
Band E
Band F
Band G
Band H
up to £40,000
£40,001 to £52,000
£52,001 to £68,000
£68,001 to £88,000
£88,001 to £120,000
£120,001 to £160,000
£160,001 to £320,000
£320,001 or greater
I don’t think my banding is
correct; what shall I do?
You can appeal to the Valuation Office
Agency under certain circumstances, but
your current bill remains payable until any
appeal is settled.
To find out mor
e, contact the
Valuation Office
Agency at
Ch
arlotte Corkish
MRICS CMgr MC
MI
Listing Officer
, Council Tax
West,
Valuation Offic
e Agency,
Overline Hous
e,
Blechynden Te
rrace,
Southampton,
SO15 1GW
Tel: 03000 5015
01
Website: www.
voa.gov.uk
2
01935 462462
Discounts
Do you have a disability?
If you or someone who lives with you are
disabled and have special facilities, an
extra bathroom or kitchen or additional
space in your home because your
disability means you need them, you may
be eligible for a discount.
If you qualify, your tax bill will be
reduced by one property band. So if
you are in a band D property your bill
will be reduced to that of a band C
property instead.
If your home is a band A property, we
will reduce your bill by one ninth of the
band D charge.
Do you live alone?
If you are the only person aged 18 or over
living in your home, you can claim a 25%
‘Single Occupier’ discount.
The property has to be your main, or only,
place where you live.
Please note that if you have a spouse or a
partner living elsewhere, you will be asked
to provide details.
Usually, if two or more people aged 18 or
over live in your property, you will need to
pay the full amount of council tax.
However, certain groups of people are not
counted and we disregard them. If one or
more of these people live in your home,
you may be able to claim a discount:
Students, student nurses and foreign
language assistants
Apprentices and youth trainees
Spouses of students where they are
prevented (by immigration rules) from
taking paid work or from claiming
benefit
People for whom Child Benefit is
payable
School leavers under 20 years old
People who have a severe mental
impairment
Certain care workers, carers and
certain patients who are in care
People in detention
Members of religious communities
Residents of hostels or night shelters
Foreign service personnel, members
of international headquarters/defence
organisations and diplomats
Having financial problems due to
unusual circumstances?
In some cases, the council can consider
applications for a discount if you are
suffering financially from a major event or
a series of unusual circumstances that do
not fall within the normal discounts or
exemptions.
No discount is applied to most second
homes.
Second homes which are boats,
caravans or job-related properties may
receive a 50% discount.
Are there discounts for empty
properties?
If your property is unoccupied and not
furnished the following may apply:
No council tax is payable for 3 months
after the property becomes empty and
unoccupied (or for the first 12 months
if it needs major repairs or structural
alteration.) An inspection may be
required.
After this discount has ended, these
properties will receive no discount, so
100% of the full council tax charge will
be payable.
Reduction for annexes
From 1 April 2014 an annexe may be
entitled to a 50% reduction in the amount
of council tax payable, where it is
occupied by a relative of the person liable
to pay council tax on the main dwelling.
There may also be a 50% reduction where
the annexe is unoccupied but being used
as part of the main dwelling.
Long term empty dwelling
Dwellings that are empty for more than 2
years will in addition be charged a
premium of 50%. Therefore the council
tax will be 150% of the normal charge.
Certain exceptions apply.
Are there discounts for ‘second
homes’?
For council tax purposes, a ‘second home’
is a furnished property but is not anyone’s
only or main home.
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
3
About your Council Tax
Discounts, reductions and
premiums
How do I find out more?
Some properties are exempt from council
tax. You may not have to pay if:
If I’m not happy about a decision,
how do I appeal?
About your Council Tax
Exemptions
Do I have to pay council tax on
my property?
1) Your property is not occupied because:
It is owned by a charity
It was left unoccupied by a student
It has been repossessed
It is being held by a bankrupt’s trustee
It is a caravan pitch or boat mooring
The occupant is now in prison
The occupant is now in a care home
or hostel
The occupant has left to receive or
provide care
The former occupant has died
Occupation is prohibited by law
Occupation is reserved for a minister
of religion
Planning law prevents an annexe
being let
2) Your property is only occupied by:
Students or is a student hall of
residence
Visiting Armed Forces personnel or
used for Armed Forces
accommodation
People aged under 18
People with a severe mental
impairment
A diplomat and dependents
A dependent relative in an annexe
Note: Some ex
emptions are
time-limited an
d exceptions
may apply. Th
is list is a
guide only an
d is not
intended to re
present a
definitive lega
l position.
4
01935 462462
Contact the Revenues Team at your
council for more information and an
application form.
You can appeal to the council against any
decision that makes you liable to pay
council tax or against any decision not to
allow a disability reduction, discount or
exemption.
You should appeal by writing to the
council to explain why you believe the
decision is wrong. The council will then
review the decision and write to you.
If you are still unhappy with the council’s
decision you should write to: Valuation
Tribunal, 2nd Floor, 120 Leman Street,
London E1 8EU.
What if I am already exempt but
my circumstances change?
If your bill says you are exempt or paying
reduced council tax and your
circumstances change you must tell the
council within 21 days. If you do not, you
could face a £70 penalty.
I think I may struggle to pay my
bill – how can you help me?
There is help available and many flexible
ways in which you can pay your bill.
Contact the council to discuss a payment
plan. If you have problems paying other
bills then contact the organisations below,
explain your problem and they will work
out a way in which to help you.
Age UK
0800 169 6565
Community Legal Service 0845 345 4345
Citizens Advice Bureau
01935 421167
Council Tax Reduction – South
Somerset District Council Local
Scheme
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme
(CTR) replaced the national Council Tax
Benefit Scheme and is effective from 1
April 2013. There are no major changes
to the scheme from April 2015
Who can claim?
Council Tax Reduction is help for anyone
on a low income who has a liability to pay
Council Tax. You can claim if you are in
full-time or part-time work, or get Social
Security Benefits, Tax Credits or Pension
Credits. Each local council works out
Council Tax Reduction applications in line
with the rules of their local scheme for
working age people, or in line with the
Prescribed Regulations for pension age
residents.
If you have to pay Council Tax and you
are on a low income, you could get a
Council Tax Reduction under our local
scheme.
You cannot get a council tax reduction if
you:
Have more than £16,000 in capital or
savings (unless you are a pensioner
getting Pension Credit Guarantee
Credit)
Are a full-time student unless you are
either under 21 and not in higher
education and you started your course
before you became 19; or you are a
pensioner, lone parent, disabled, or
getting Income Support, IncomeBased Jobseekers’ Allowance,
Employment & Support Allowance
(Income Related) or you have a
partner who is not a student.
If you have come to the United Kingdom
in the last 2 years, or if you are an asylum
seeker, it may affect your claim.
How do I apply?
Through our website using our online
form
By completing a paper application
form available from all of our offices
By downloading and printing the
application form to complete
Paper application forms can be
returned to one of our Area Offices or
posted to the address on the front of
the form. (If you have not had a receipt
for your Application Form within 7
days, please call us on 01935 462462
to ensure we have received it).
Second Adult Rebate
If you are over state pension credit age
and do not qualify for benefit in your own
right, you could get a Second Adult
Rebate. If the person who shares your
home is:
Aged 18 or over
Not a boarder or sub-tenant
Not your spouse or partner
Not paying Council Tax themselves
On a low income
You may be able to get a rebate of up to
25% of what you have to pay.
There is no availability to Second Adult
Rebate in the Council Tax Reduction
Scheme for working age people
Our Council Tax Reduction
Scheme
Working age people cannot receive 100%
Council Tax Reduction. The maximum
reduction any working age applicant can
receive under our scheme is 85%
All maintenance paid in respect of
dependent children is fully taken into
account as income in the calculation of
CTR
All maintenance paid in respect of
adults is fully taken into account as
income in the calculation of CTR
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
5
About your Council Tax
How to have your
Council Tax liability
reduced if you are
on a low income
About your Council Tax
Second Adult Rebate has been ended
for those of working age, with a liability
to pay Council Tax
Non-dependant charges have been
introduced for certain groups who had
no charge under the previous Council
Tax Benefit scheme, and previous
charges have been increased
Changes to our scheme from
April 2015
The only change to our scheme from April
2014 is that the amount of the Nondependant Deductions will increase by the
same percentage as the Council Tax is
increased. The income bands to which
those Non-dependant Deductions apply
will increase in line with the Government’s
Prescribed Scheme
Changes in your circumstances
If you get a Council Tax Reduction and
your circumstances change, you must tell
us immediately, either:
Online at
http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/hou
sing-and-benefits/benefits/onlineforms/change-of-circumstances/
Email us to
[email protected]
01935 462462 (ask for Benefit Team)
and we will be able to tell you what
information we need to reassess your
application
or write to us at the address on the
front of your council tax bill.
What can I do if my
circumstances are exceptional
and I cannot afford to pay my
Council Tax Bill?
If you are working age, and receive a
Council Tax Reduction, but still cannot
afford the Council Tax you are left to pay,
you could apply for extra help through our
Council Tax Reduction Discretionary
Hardship Scheme. You will need to
complete a separate application for this
6
01935 462462
which is available as above, by phone,
email or by writing to us. We will consider
your request and advise you whether we
consider your circumstances are such that
we can award you extra help through the
Discretionary Hardship Scheme. People
over state pension credit age are unable
to get extra help through these
discretionary payments as they form part
of our local scheme for working age
people.
No Ifs … No Buts …
Everyone who commits benefit fraud
is a benefit thief. If you think someone
is committing fraud by claiming a
reduction to which they are not
entitled, it is important you let us
know about it. You can complete a
referral online at
http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/ben
efitfraud , call us on 01935 462208 or
phone the National Fraud Hotline on
0800 328 6340. You do not have to
give your name, just tell us as much
information as you can about the
person, and why you think they are
committing benefit fraud.
Fraud is a crime against everyone in the
community and we will consider
prosecuting all cases where we have
enough evidence.
Please note the new Council Tax
Reduction scheme only applies to
working age applicants. Customers
who have reached the State
Pension Credit age fall under the
Prescribed Scheme, unless they
have a partner of working age who
is claiming Income Support,
Jobseekers Allowance(Income
Based) or Employment & Support
Allowance (Income Related).
Business rates, or non-domestic rates as
they are sometimes called, are the
business equivalent to council tax.
How much business rates will I
need to pay?
The Valuation Office decide the rateable
value of your business, and this is used to
calculate the business rates you pay.
What can I do if I don’t agree with
the rateable value of my
business?
You can appeal the rateable value by
contacting 03000 501501 or fill in an
appeal form at www.voa.gov.uk which
also provides further information.
Do I pay less if my business
property is empty?
Yes, if your property has been emptied of
all goods then you may not have to pay
any rates for up to three months, or even
up to six months for some industrial units.
After that time you will need to pay the full
rates whether it is empty or not.
About your Business Rates
Business Rates
If you own one of the following properties
then you may not need to pay any rates
for the time that it is empty:
A rateable value of less than £2,600
A listed building
The owner is not allowed by law to
have it occupied
If you are the owner of a property
because you are the personal
representative of someone who has
died or are acting as liquidator or
administrator
The owner is bankrupt or subject to a
winding-up order
The owner is a charity or community
amateur sports club subject to certain
criteria
Do I have to pay the full rates
even if my property is partially
occupied?
No, there are some cases where
ratepayers may not have to pay rates for a
short time if the property is partially
occupied. To find out if you qualify contact
your council.
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
7
About your Business Rates
Reducing your business rates
Can I get any rate relief if I run a
small business?
Yes, provided you only occupy one
business premises in England and the
rateable value of your business is less
than £18,000. However, the Government
has introduced additional support to small
businesses. For those businesses that
take on an additional property which
would normally have meant the loss of
small business rate relief, the
Government has confirmed that they will
be allowed to keep that relief for a period
of 12 months.
I run a registered charity, do I
have to pay business rates?
You can qualify for 80% rate relief
providing the property is only used for
charitable purposes. Some charities may
not need to pay any rates at all.
I run a “not-for-profit”
organisation, can I claim rate
relief?
Some organisations may not need to pay
any rates at all, while others might be able
to claim rate relief if they are established
or conducted not for profit.
Can I claim rate relief if I run a
Community Amateur Sports Club
(CASC)?
An 80% reduction is offered to clubs
registered as a CASC where the property
is only used for the benefit of that club.
For more details about CASC visit
www.hmrc.gov.uk/casc
Do I get any rate relief for running
my business in a rural area?
You may be able to claim a 50%
reduction if you run the only post office,
general store or food shop with a rateable
value under £8,500 or only pub or petrol
station with a value under £12,500
providing they are within a designated
8
01935 462462
rural settlement. In some cases you don’t
have to pay any rates if your rateable
value is under £16,500.
My business isn’t making much
money and I’m struggling to pay
my rates, can I get help?
Yes, in special cases the council can allow
‘hardship relief’ of up to 100%. To qualify
you have to prove to the council that your
business would continue to suffer hardship
if this relief were not granted.
I own holiday accommodation, do
I still have to pay business rates?
Yes, if the property is available for let 140
days a year or more. If it becomes
someone’s main home, even for a short
time, then council tax will become payable
for it.
What do I pay if my property is
partly used as a business and
partly used as a home?
Two separate bills are issued, one
covering the business use which will have
a rateable value and the other residential
part which will have its own council tax
banding.
What other reliefs can I get?
Some occupied retail businesses with
a rateable value below 50,000 can get
a discount of up to £1,000 for one year
from 1 April 2014 and up to £1500 for
one year from 1 April 2015.
Re-occupied retail premises that have
been empty for a year or more can get
50% relief for 18 months from 1 April
2014.
Empty new builds completed after 1
October 2013 can get full rate relief for
up to 18 months.
If you think yo
u are entitled
to any of the re
liefs
mentioned, or
would like
more informat
ion, please
contact us.
-The Financial Strategy
The medium term financial plan outlines the
financial needs and requirements over the
next five years including the delivery of the
Corporate Plan. The strategy is to deliver a
balanced budget (meaning that reserves are
not used to meet on-going expenditure
commitments) each year over the term of the
plan whilst keeping any tax rises in line with
inflation. The Council has to have regard to
the level of government grant received. In
2015/16, government grants have reduced
by 28.1%. The Council is using £170,900 of
New Homes Bonus to reduce the impact of
Council Tax on South Somerset residents by
1.99%. The Council will still receive a 1%
Council Tax Freeze Grant.
2015/16 Budget
The Council’s net revenue budget will
amount to £17,390 million, a decrease of
£0.151 million (or 2.4%) of the 2014/15
figure. The Council’s share of the total
Council Tax (for a Band D property) will be
£147.75; and is 9.8% of your total tax bill.
The Council’s capital strategy assumes that
the capital programme will be financed
through additional interest earned over
budget as well as releasing new receipts to
fund capital schemes. This strategy enables
SSDC to be more proactive in dealing with
the difficulties and unpredictability of funding
that is likely to occur over the next few years.
We plan to spend £6.312 million on capital
projects in 2015/16 in the following areas of
activity:
Financial & Corporate Services
Economy
Communities
Environment
Health & Wellbeing
2014/15
Income
£’000
Net
Expend.
£’000
Gross
Expend.
£’000
653
49,114
2,078
0
-46,485
-474
653
2,629
1,604
Strategic Director - Operations & Customer Focus
Operation & Customer Focus
576
Environment
13,802
Health & Well-being
4,453
-110
-6,839
-2,221
467
6,963
2,232
Service Groups
Chief Executive
Strategic Management
Financial & Corporate Services
Legal & Corporate Services
Strategic Director - Place & Performance
Place & Performance
Economy
Communities
Total Services Expenditure
Transfers from reserves
Government grant
Business Rates Retention
Total District Precept
Town / Parish council precepts
Balance Funded by Council Tax
Gross
Expend.
£’000
Capital Spending
274
2,885
1,444
75,279
-2
-1,501
-107
272
1,384
1,337
-57,738
17,541
-41
-5,772
-3,266
8,462
4,036
12,498
2015/16
£’000
2,980
915
675
1,451
291
6,312
Income
£’000
Net
Expend.
£’000
662
51,329
2,005
-15
-48,371
-543
647
2,958
1,462
587
13,919
4,854
-110
-7,072
-2,620
117
3,007
1,422
77,901
0
-1,692
-88
117
1,315
1,334
-60,512
17,390
477
6,846
2,233
-112
-5,507
-3,328
8,443
4,191
12,634
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
9
Budget Strategy 2015/16
Budget Strategy 2015/16
Town & Parish Council Precepts Over £140,000
Chard Town Council
Amenities General
Street Cleaning
Burial
Allotments
Market
Guildhall
Tourist Information
Support & Other Services
Grants
Contribution to/from Balances
Government Support Grant
Precept
Crewkerne Town Council
Town Hall
Victoria Hall
Grounds Maintenance
War Memorial Grounds
Joint Burial Committee
Aqua Centre
The George Reynolds Centre
Grants
Legal/Admin Costs Town Green
Transferred Services from SCC/SSDC
Government Support Grant
Precept
Ilminster Town Council
Support Services
Grounds & Maintenance
Public Toilets
Cemetery
Market House
Grants
Churchyard
Market
Government Support Grant
Precept
Martock Parish Council
Support Services
Recreation
Pavilion
Parish Hall
Market House
Burial Ground
Finance
Youth Club
Other Services
Town Improvements
Contribution to/from Balances
Government Support Grant
Precept
10
01935 462462
Expend.
157,382
61,554
26,689
3,730
2,180
284,115
23,268
174,340
20,000
753,258
Expend.
243,445
27,050
43,440
5,200
32,220
10,612
1,000
7,650
10,250
380,867
Expend.
197,608
54,564
4,462
9,019
1,954
2,900
4,000
4,000
278,507
Expend.
139,961
66,750
61,000
14,500
2,000
25,000
8,600
33,000
80,494
76,000
507,305
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-11,560
-55,705
-27,211
-4,000
-8,500
-38,700
-9,530
-7,300
-162,506
145,822
5,849
-522
-270
-6,320
245,415
13,738
167,040
20,000
-45,000
545,752
-67,650
478,102
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-28,770
-5,972
-5,289
-3,200
0
-1,950
-5,420
0
0
-7,000
-57,601
214,675
21,078
38,151
2,000
32,220
8,662
-4,420
7,650
-10,804
3,250
312,462
-32,895
279,567
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-3,320
-6,116
0
-12,490
0
0
0
-4,500
-26,426
194,288
48,448
4,462
-3,471
1,954
2,900
4,000
-500
252,081
-24,275
227,806
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-100
-12,000
-54,500
-14,500
-100
-4,000
-3,000
-29,365
-117,565
139,861
54,750
6,500
0
1,900
21,000
8,600
33,000
77,494
46,635
-87,613
302,127
-22,570
279,557
Expend.
216,716
71,552
26,465
4,170
1,890
199,258
18,196
182,945
20,500
741,692
Expend.
245,224
15,300
48,550
3,500
37,440
12,612
17,000
7,658
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
-12,328
-55,000
-20,711
-4,300
-6,000
-43,400
-9,740
-6,650
-158,129
204,388
16,552
5,754
-130
-4,110
155,858
8,456
176,295
20,500
-37,811
545,752
-55,930
489,822
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
-30,105
-6,495
-5,289
-3,050
-2,050
-22,670
215,119
8,805
43,261
450
37,440
10,562
-5,670
7,658
0
6,850
324,475
-26,370
13,850
401,134
-7,000
-76,659
Expend.
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
203,431
53,819
5,220
9,424
1,936
3,900
150
277,880
Expend.
120,750
60,500
6,500
19,600
2,900
30,000
26,448
34,395
117,650
49,100
467,843
-1,385
-8,952
-11,500
-4,500
-26,337
298,105
202,046
44,867
5,220
-2,076
1,936
3,900
0
-4,350
251,543
-20,320
231,223
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
-2,000
-7,900
-2,000
-9,500
-150
-5,000
-125
-3,000
-9,250
-5,000
-43,925
118,750
52,600
4,500
10,100
2,750
25,000
26,323
31,395
108,400
44,100
-118,110
305,808
-20,815
284,993
Administration
Access & Highways
Land & Property
Projects and Grants
Youth
Projects & Communication
Contribution to/from balances
Government Support Grant
Precept
Wincanton Town Council
Grounds Maintenance
Burial Grounds
Administration
Sports Facilities
Town Hall
Grants
New Projects/Equipment
Youth Work
David Sharp Centre
Toilets
Car park / Land Provision
Neighbourhood Plan
Contribution to/from balances
Government Support Grant
Precept
Yeovil Town Council
Planning & Licensing
Grounds & General Maintenance
Buildings & Civic Matters
Promotions & Activities
Joint Burial (Net)
Grants
Support Services
Other Services
Government Support Grant
Precept
Expend.
114,750
54,220
160,075
66,500
14,100
409,645
Expend.
55,100
6,500
66,550
12,000
5,000
3,500
21,000
7,000
5,000
1,000
24,300
206,950
Expend.
27,471
259,890
135,074
80,555
99,624
20,000
173,520
211,102
1,007,236
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-10,000
-25,000
-35,000
104,750
54,220
135,075
66,500
14,100
0
-55,000
319,645
-23,905
295,740
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-600
-3,000
-8,100
-5,000
-16,700
54,500
3,500
58,450
12,000
5,000
3,500
21,000
7,000
0
1,000
24,300
0
-10,000
180,250
-17,160
163,090
2014/15
Income Net Cost £
-22,000
-16,499
-22,640
-3,600
-7,200
-71,939
Expend.
101,010
79,050
148,559
51,500
17,050
13,600
-2,000
-32,750
-42,000
-800
99,010
46,300
106,559
51,500
17,050
12,800
-14,084
319,135
-23,395
410,769
-77,550
Expend.
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
62,954
1,600
70,796
14,000
5,000
33,600
3,000
2,000
7,000
2,000
24,300
2,000
228,250
Expend.
5,471
28,028
243,391
263,446
112,434
152,664
76,955
73,647
80,420
99,624
20,000
20,000
173,520
176,990
203,902
205,857
935,297 1,001,052
-119,415
815,882
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
-900
-5,500
-5,600
-5,000
-17,000
295,740
62,054
-3,900
65,196
14,000
5,000
33,600
3,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
24,300
2,000
-15,000
196,250
-15,350
180,900
2015/16
Income Net Cost £
-22,400
-16,994
-24,490
-2,600
-5,700
-72,184
5,628
246,452
128,174
71,047
80,420
20,000
176,990
200,157
928,868
-94,180
834,688
Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Impact to Parishes
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme (explained on page 5) has had an impact on the way the taxbase
adjusted band D Equivalents is calculated. In order to reduce the impact of the reduction tax base, Central
Government has paid South Somerset District Council a Council Tax Reduction Grant which will be
passported to Towns and Parishes.
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
11
Town & Parish Council Precepts Over £140,000
Somerton Town Council
Parish Precepts
12
Precept
14/15
£
18,103
609
7,380
24,965
12,367
3,400
3,394
10,880
6,310
30,815
1,150
0
3,535
7,770
45,575
54,480
6,980
102,320
3,000
478,102
5,785
10,435
6,280
80
8,920
0
4,750
0
13,770
15,340
1,740
2,500
279,567
0
1,210
0
3,550
24,265
0
6,410
2,450
3,985
6,525
44,870
11,725
10,850
15,120
8,460
30,000
18,500
8,370
1,120
9,265
11,115
37,000
21,270
227,806
15,000
1,570
0
15,045
24,235
8,000
0
995
Parish Name
Abbas and Templecombe
Alford( Cary Moor)
Aller
Ansford
Ash
Ashill
Babcary
Barrington
Barton St. David
Barwick
Beercrocombe
Bratton Seymour
Brewham
Broadway
Bruton
Brympton
Buckland St. Mary
Castle Cary
Chaffcombe
Chard Town
Charlton Horethorne
Charltons
Charlton Musgrove
Chillington
Chilthorne Domer
Chilton Cantelo
Chiselborough
Closworth
Combe St. Nicholas
Compton Dundon
Compton Pauncefoot
Corton Denham
Crewkerne Town
Cricket St. Thomas
Cucklington
Cudworth
Curry Mallet
Curry Rivel
Dinnington
Donyatt
Dowlish Wake
Drayton
East Chinnock
East Coker
Fivehead
Hambridge & Westport
Hardington Mandeville
Haselbury Plucknett
Henstridge
High Ham
Hinton St. George
Holton (North Vale)
Horsington
Horton
Huish Episcopi
Ilchester
Ilminster Town
Ilton
Isle Abbotts
Isle Brewers
Keinton Mandeville
Kingsbury Episcopi
Kingsdon
Kingstone
Kingweston
01935 462462
Total number
of properties
Adjusted band
D equivalents
748
39
175
473
266
243
100
213
230
578
59
59
199
325
1,227
3,134
225
1,166
97
6,270
287
478
175
52
227
47
147
88
659
305
70
102
3,556
27
89
26
143
1,002
30
154
133
166
231
803
277
220
244
336
829
379
237
115
269
382
1,051
1,103
2,777
394
94
62
419
591
164
43
30
529.60
42.77
154.58
385.98
261.22
240.64
114.18
198.35
231.16
406.90
62.25
55.94
195.03
324.40
898.59
2,452.46
228.95
821.93
104.41
4,008.21
289.61
404.60
189.24
58.13
195.15
47.61
143.29
88.59
559.50
287.60
83.48
118.83
2,426.16
26.86
95.40
26.84
124.92
864.18
29.43
130.25
135.67
174.26
207.29
766.76
257.78
196.36
267.20
284.30
646.27
379.29
230.05
125.11
295.92
308.11
828.53
686.64
1,913.56
280.89
87.13
62.67
390.97
528.99
153.90
46.52
28.86
Precept
15/16
£
18,285
620
7,575
24,415
15,000
3,375
3,489
11,145
6,515
30,830
1,170
0
3,510
7,845
56,485
55,620
7,290
106,895
3,000
489,822
5,820
13,555
6,280
80
9,005
0
4,755
0
14,785
15,640
1,220
2,500
298,105
0
1,250
0
3,725
24,565
0
6,690
2,460
3,985
7,330
45,180
12,904
10,965
15,270
8,555
28,935
21,725
10,640
1,142
9,330
11,466
39,000
21,980
231,223
16,000
1,595
0
15,349
24,190
11,000
0
980
BAND D
charge
£:p
34.53
14.49
49.00
63.25
57.42
14.03
30.56
56.19
28.18
75.77
18.80
0.00
18.00
24.18
62.86
22.68
31.84
130.05
28.73
122.20
20.10
33.50
33.19
1.38
46.14
0.00
33.19
0.00
26.43
54.38
14.61
21.04
122.87
0.00
13.10
0.00
29.82
28.43
0.00
51.36
18.13
22.87
35.36
58.92
50.06
55.84
57.15
30.09
44.77
57.28
46.25
9.13
31.53
37.21
47.07
32.01
120.83
56.96
18.31
0.00
39.26
45.73
71.48
0.00
33.95
1,200
71,906
0
6,690
17,694
5,025
1,102
556
6,855
279,557
38,920
55,000
14,691
18,635
0
20,900
840
9,361
2,438
4,140
18,130
15,323
4,758
5,100
4,870
0
13,045
6,000
9,820
3,180
11,320
2,285
295,740
969
3,865
120,200
4,898
1,550
49,195
3,873
38,655
29,359
0
2,700
6,495
7,930
27,440
5,475
453
0
163,090
13,716
1,264
815,882
52,551
2,100
3,796,068
5,960
3,600
3,149
830
13,539
Parish Name
Knowle St. Giles
Langport
Limington
Long Load
Long Sutton
Lopen
Lovington (Cary Moor)
Maperton (North Vale)
Marston Magna
Martock
Merriott
Milborne Port
Misterton
Montacute
Muchelney
Mudford
North Barrow (Cary Moor)
North Cadbury
North Cheriton (North Vale)
North Perrott
Norton sub Hamdon
Odcombe
Pen Selwood
Pitcombe
Pitney
Puckington
Queen Camel
Rimpton
Seavington St. Mary
Seavington St. Michael
Shepton Beauchamp
Shepton Montague
Somerton
South Barrow (Cary Moor)
South Cadbury and Sutton Montis
South Petherton
Sparkford
Stocklinch
Stoke sub Hamdon
Stoke Trister
Tatworth and Forton
Tintinhull
Wambrook
Wayford
West Camel
West Chinnock
West Coker
West Crewkerne
Whitelackington
Whitestaunton
Wincanton Town
Winsham
Yarlington (North Cadbury)
Yeovil Town
Yeovil Without
Yeovilton
Total Precepts
Castle Cary (All Saints Churchyard)
Henstridge (St Nicholas Churchyard)
Ilchester (St Mary Major Churchyard)
Wayford (St Michaels Churchyard)
Total Special Levies
Total number
of properties
Adjusted band
D equivalents
67
549
93
151
379
121
74
55
209
2,199
900
1,379
424
344
81
329
51
439
94
122
327
344
148
195
162
55
377
113
177
55
344
93
2,242
69
134
1,695
274
224
938
157
1,178
424
87
56
265
221
952
234
86
146
2,863
357
56
14,041
3,748
163
75,900
73.78
316.30
79.37
143.53
368.83
108.06
76.23
58.76
196.17
1,609.29
669.65
1,076.73
348.40
252.73
74.16
276.84
61.00
437.86
99.82
114.62
300.65
283.51
162.09
202.03
173.20
50.27
318.90
120.44
159.72
51.89
279.29
93.27
1,676.44
65.09
138.87
1,386.56
242.07
61.49
675.55
150.30
946.60
345.99
89.36
49.30
177.61
237.88
808.73
218.87
76.29
117.90
1,987.47
287.28
59.37
8,733.72
2,635.30
147.99
57,143.68
1,180
71,906
0
8,000
18,130
5,165
1,105
533
7,005
284,993
38,900
58,000
16,172
19,008
0
28,177
885
9,414
2,447
4,347
18,265
15,220
4,758
5,170
5,000
0
14,160
6,055
10,378
3,372
13,250
1,935
295,740
945
4,380
127,500
4,978
1,550
49,195
4,435
39,988
30,201
0
2,700
6,982
7,885
29,125
6,155
462
0
180,900
14,790
1,276
834,688
59,997
2,200
4,191,067
3,154
2,204.15
13,539
1,166
829
1,103
56
821.93
646.27
686.64
49.30
Precept
15/16
£
BAND D
charge
£:p
5,960.00
3,600.00
3,149.00
830.00
7.25
5.57
4.59
16.84
15.99
227.34
0.00
55.74
49.16
47.80
14.50
9.07
35.71
177.09
58.09
53.87
46.42
75.21
0.00
101.78
14.51
21.50
24.51
37.92
60.75
53.68
29.35
25.59
28.87
0.00
44.40
50.27
64.98
64.99
47.44
20.75
176.41
14.52
31.54
91.95
20.56
25.21
72.82
29.51
42.24
87.29
0.00
54.76
39.31
33.15
36.01
28.12
6.06
0.00
91.02
51.48
21.49
95.57
22.77
14.87
www.southsomerset.gov.uk
13
Parish Precepts
Precept
14/15
£
Somerset County Council
From roads and streetlights to looking after vulnerable children and adults,
Somerset County Council touches everyone at some stage in their
everyday lives.
Your County Council provides services to thousands of people day in, day
out. And it is the taxpayer who provides much of our funding, either from
the Government or from Council Tax and business rates.
Whether it’s looking after children in care, fixing potholes or giving carers a
well-earned break, Somerset County Council is there for you.
We will spend nearly £315m on our services over the next year, and we will
invest a further £57m on major projects like new schools and roads.
Like all councils across the country we face reduced funding from
government, and at the same time increasing demands for our services as
the population grows. This is challenging with the increasing number of
older and vulnerable people who our need care and support. This means
increased demands on our budget, which we have to make sure balances
every year.
The Council is committed to providing core services to help the most
vulnerable people in society, and to provide a safety net for those residents
who really need our help.
The next few pages give you more information about how the County
Council’s part of your Council Tax is spent.
For further information on our services…
Read our local, quarterly newspaper Your Somerset that is delivered to
your door for the latest news, events and community projects that the
County Council and partners are involved in.
Visit our website at www.somerset.gov.uk for information on our
services, to get involved in consultations, apply for services, make online
payments and report problems.
14
What
What
wedo…
do…
Whatwe
we
do…
Somerset
County
Council
has
atotal
totalbudget
budget
of £699m
to spend
in
Somerset
County
Council
of
£699m
to spend
spend
Somerset
County
Councilhas
hasaa
total
budget
of £706m
to
inin 2015/16,
2015/16,
compared
to
£706m
in
2014/15
and
£748m
in
2013/14.
compared
to
£706m
in
2014/15
and
£748m
in
2013/14.
That’s
nearly
£50m
2014/15, compared to £748m in 2013/14 - £42m less. This money is That’s
nearly
£50m
less
than
two
years
ago.
This money
spent on these
less
than
years
ago.
This
money
is spent
on theseisservices:
spent
ontwo
these
services:
services:
What we do…
Somerset County Council has a total budget of £706m to spend in
2014/15, compared to £748m in 2013/14 - £42m less. This money is
spent on these services:
Somerset County Council gets funding from
three main sources. Government funding –
which totals £376m and includes specific
funding for schools; locally raised Council Tax
and Business Rates which this year will total
£209m; and income from fees and charges
2
which comes to £110m.
2
2
15
The movement in this year’s budget is due to:
• Reduction in funding from central government
• Population growth
Reduction in funding from central government
• Financing expenditure, for example, building roads
growth for Public Health initiatives
•Population
New responsibility
The movement in this year’s budget is due to:
•
•
•
Financing spending, for example, building roads
• Responsibility
for Public
Healthcompared
initiativesto
Our
net budget in 2015/14
is £314.7m
£326.2m in 2014/15.
Inflation and demand for our services makes that gap bigger means that
Our
netonbudget
in 2015/14
is £314.7m
compared
year
year movement
is much
greater than
£11.5m.to £326.2m in
2014/15. Inflation and demand for our services makes that gap bigger
means
that year
on year movement
is much greater than £11.5m.
For further
information
on our accounts…
Read information on our budget at www.somerset.gov.uk/accounts
Phone 0300 123 2224
Email [email protected]
Write Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset,
TA1 4DY
16
3
What
we do
dofor
for you
you
What we
Somerset
than
1,300
square
miles
andand
is is
Somersetisisaacounty
countythat
thatcovers
coversmore
more
than
1,300
square
miles
home
to
more
than
500,000
people
who
will,
in
some
way
or
another,
use
home to more than 500,000 people who will, in some way or another,
Somerset
County
Council
services
almost
every
day.
use Somerset County Council services almost every day.
We
people,
look
after
children
in in
We help
helpand
andprotect
protectchildren
childrenand
andyoung
young
people,
look
after
children
care,
and
help
schools
improve.
care, and help schools improve.
We
adults.
Helping
people
support
We support
supportelderly
elderlyand
andvulnerable
vulnerable
adults.
Helping
people
support
themselves
at
home,
organising
care
home
placements
and
making
sure
themselves at home, organising care home placements and
making
people
are
kept
safe.
sure people are kept safe.
We
ofof
roads.
Fixing
potholes,
looking
after
We maintain
maintainmore
morethan
than4,000
4,000miles
miles
roads.
Fixing
potholes,
looking
street
lights
and
traffic
signals,
organising
school
transport
and
managing
after street lights and traffic signals, organising school transport and
residential
managing parking.
residential parking.
We
and
jobs
to to
thethe
county.
Driving
We work
workhard
hardtotoattract
attractinvestment
investment
and
jobs
county.
Driving
improvements
in
things
like
broadband
and
infrastructure.
improvements in things like broadband and infrastructure.
We
ofof
libraries,
wewe
register
births,
deaths,
We also
alsohave
havean
anextensive
extensivenetwork
network
libraries,
register
births,
marriages
and
civil
partnerships,
give
advice
on
major
planning
deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, give advice on major planning
applications,
and
recycling.
applications,and
andhelp
helpmanage
managewaste
waste
and
recycling.
enquiries,visit
visit www.somerset.gov.uk
www.somerset.gov.uk
ForFor
allall
enquiries,
phone 0300
0300 123
ororphone
1232224.
2224.
4
17
YOUR
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HOW WE SPEND THE BUDGET 2015/16
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Police and Crime Plan 2014-17
Police and Crime Plan 2014-17
Police and Crime Plan 2014-17
Police and Crime Plan 2014-17
Police and Crime Plan 2014-17
SUPPORTING YOU TO
BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
SUPPORTING YOU TO
BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
SUPPORTING YOU TO
BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
SUPPORTING YOU TO
BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
SUPPORTING YOU TO
BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
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Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority
How your council tax is spent by
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority 2015/16
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority is responsible for the governance
arrangements for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service.
Spending Plans
Gross expenditure
Income from specific grants, fees and charges
Council tax freeze grant
Central Government funding
Business Rates Retention – Local Authority
2014/15
£m
2015/16
£m
(3.1)
(3.0)
(26.2)
(24.2)
43.4
45.3
79.0
78.8
(1.1)
(1.1)
(5.2)
Council Tax requirement
Changes in spending
(5.2)
In 2015/16 the spending requirement for the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority
will be £0.2m less than in 2014/15. These changes are a result of the following:
Classification of Spend
Changes to Expenditure
(£millions)
Contractual pay and price increases
Invest to save incentives & services/
essential spending pressures
0.708
3.142
Budget savings
(2.286)
Total changes
(1.084)
One off provisions included in
2014/15 budget
(2.648)
Changes to Income
(£millions)
-
(0.9)
-
-
(0.9)
The Authority requires a council tax level of £78.42 for a Band D household. This
represents an increase of 1.99% compared to the 2014/15 figure.
Changes to the Fire Service
The Government’s grant funding to the Authority has reduced by £2.9 million for
2015/16, which means a total reduction of £8.7 million since 2012/13. Devon &
Somerset has suffered the third worst settlement of all the Fire Authorities in the country.
For more information on how the Authority intends to deliver significant reductions in its
spending, visit www.dsfire.gov.uk
TOTAL
GROSS
BUDGET
2013/14
£79.9m
20 www.dsfire.gov.uk
TOTAL
GROSS
BUDGET
2014/15
£79.0m