Council tax How we pay for local services

Transcription

1 2015/16 Council tax How we pay for local services Incorporating council tax information for Luton Borough Council, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner

2 Useful contacts Luton Borough Council Tel: Fax: Text/minicom: Phone lines open 9am-5pm weekdays (10am Wed) Visit us at: Customer Service Centre Town Hall Upper George Street Luton Bedfordshire LU1 2BQ Benefits Housing benefit and council tax support Tel: (open 24/7) Council Tax Paying by phone (open 24/7) Information about your council tax and discounts and exemptions Tel: (open 24/7) Direct debit setup for council tax Tel: (open 24/7) Department for Work and Pensions Tel: Valuation Office Agency Council tax valuation bandings and appealing them Write to: Council Tax East Valuation Office Agency Ground Floor Ferrers House Castle Meadow Road Nottingham NG2 1AB Tel: Fax: Valuation Tribunal If you have appealed to the Council about your bill and disagree with our decision, you can appeal to this independent organisation: Tel: Fax: Write to: Hepworth House 2 Trafford Court Doncaster DN1 1PN 2

3 Introduction This booklet explains how we work out your council tax and where the money goes. It also sets out easy ways to pay, as well as details of how you could qualify for a discount. Many people are entitled to claim council tax support (previously called council tax benefit), even if they are in full time work. For more information, please contact us (see page 2 for details). This booklet is on our website to save the considerable cost of printing and delivery. You can easily download and print it if you need a hard copy. What is council tax? Council tax is the way people pay for local services such as education, refuse collection, libraries and care for the elderly. This year, a band D council taxpayer in Luton will be charged Of this, goes to the council, to the police and to the fire authority. Based on property values set by the Inland Revenue s valuation office in 1991, the amount of tax you pay makes a contribution towards the cost of local services but most of the cost is paid by Central Government. 3

4 Important information if you pay your council tax by standing order or bank transfer We have changed our bank The banking system will not change standing order or bank transfer details automatically. If you pay your council tax by standing order or bank transfer you will need to change your payment details to our new bank: account name: Luton Borough Council General Account sort code: account number: If you fail to inform your bank, we will not receive your payment and will pursue you for the outstanding sum. Ways to pay your council tax Direct debit The easiest and most convenient way to pay. Switch to Direct Debit online at or by phoning us on Bank transfer Pay online through your own bank s website. You will need to quote your council tax account number.our bank account bank details are: Lloyds Bank sort code: account number: Online or telephone Please visit our website or call our 24 hour payment line on and follow the instructions. Telephone banking You need to sign up with your bank to pay your bills by this method. You can make payment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week simply by quoting our bank sort code: account number and your council tax account number. 4

5 Payment kiosk Pay by cash, debit/credit card or cheque at our payment kiosk located in the Customer Service Centre. Access is available Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.30pm. A receipt and change are provided. You will need to quote your council tax account number. Post Office or pay point You can pay at your local post office by cash, cheque or debit card - credit cards are not accepted - or by cash only at newsagents and convenience stores that display the pay point sign. Please take your payment card with you. Post Make your cheques payable to Luton Borough Council and don t forget to write your council tax account number on the back, then please send it to: Revenues, Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, George Street, Luton LU1 2BQ Remember: l ensure you have your council tax reference available when making payments l if you pay your council tax by cash or credit/debit card, your instalments are due on 1st of each month (unless you have specifically requested an alternative day); you must ensure these payments are received on or before the due date l if you pay by cheque, you should allow six extra days. Council tax is now payable in a maximum of 12 monthly instalments. The default number of instalments is still 10. If you wish to move from your current 10 monthly instalments to 12 please contact us before the 15th April by ing revenues@luton.gov.uk. Payment usually starts in April and ends in January for 10 instalments, or March for 12 instalments. The amount you have to pay, and when, is shown on your bill. If you provide the Council with your mobile telephone number we can send you an SMS reminder if you miss a payment. This may help you to avoid costs as a result of recovery action automatically triggered if you are late in paying your bill. 5

6 Sign up to MyAccount Regular users of the council s website will know there are lots of ways to find information and get things done. We are developing a great new system, MyAccount, that lets you do all this and more from your computer, tablet or smartphone. One big improvement is entering details like your name and address just once, which makes everything easier and faster. Just give us your name, address, and that s it. This information is kept safe and secure and won t be passed to anyone else. With MyAccount you can report problems, order services, check your council tax, make payments and claim benefits all at a few clicks of a button. Some of these facilities are available now and others will be rolling out shortly. Why not sign up today at: Paperless billing You can receive your bills by rather than through the post. To sign up please register at: 6

7 Who has to pay? To work out who is responsible for your home, look down the list below until you come to the category of resident that applies to you. 1. Owner of the property (who owns the freehold). 2. Person who owns the lease. 3. Tenant (including council tenants). 4. Someone who has a licence to live in the property. 5. Someone who just lives there. If no adults live in the property as their main home, the owner or person entitled to possession is responsible for paying the council tax bill. In some special cases, (including houses in multiple occupation such as bedsits), it is the owner who is responsible for paying the council tax and not the residents. A resident is a person aged 18 years or over who lives in the dwelling as their only or main home. Joint owners or tenants are jointly liable for one council tax bill for the dwelling. Husbands and wives and civil partners of liable people are also jointly responsible for paying the bill. What if you do not pay? If you fail to pay or pay late, you will lose your right to pay by instalments and have to pay the outstanding balance in full immediately. You will receive a reminder and ultimately you could receive a court summons and have to pay costs. Your case could then be referred to enforcement agents for collection. You could also be made bankrupt and lose your home, or even be jailed for up to 90 days. So, please let us know straightaway if you are having difficulty paying your council tax. We will do our very best to help and advice. us at revenues@luton.gov.uk or call us on

8 Council tax discounts You may be entitled to a discount on your council tax bill if you, or someone in your household, falls into one of these categories: l students, apprentices, YTS trainees, student nurses and foreign language assistants l people under 20 who are on, or have just completed, a qualifying course of further education l young people for whom child benefit is still payable l people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 l severely mentally impaired people l live-in workers on low pay, such as community service volunteers l patients usually resident in hospital, residential care homes, nursing homes or hostels providing a high level of care l residents of certain hostels or night shelters l prisoners, convicted or on remand, except where imprisonment is for non-payment of fines or council tax. Changes to discounts and premiums Under the Local Government Finance Act 2012, Luton does not offer: l discount on second homes (property that is nobody s sole or main residence and is furnished) l exemption on an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property (used to be up to 6 months payment exemption) l exemption on an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property requiring or undergoing structural alterations or major repair works to make it habitable (used to be up to 12 months payment exemption) l second adult rebate if you have another adult living with you, such as an elderly relative on a low income or getting income support, or someone on jobseeker s allowance (income based) not paying rent to you and not paying council tax themselves. 8

9 Reductions for people with disabilities If you or anyone who lives with you is disabled, you may be entitled to reduced council tax if: l your home has an extra bathroom or kitchen that is essential or of major importance to the disabled person s well being l your home has a room (not a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory) specifically used or adapted for the disabled person, which is essential or of major importance to the disabled person s well being l if a wheelchair is used inside the home and it is essential or of major importance to the disabled person s well being. You can still apply even if your home is in the lowest banding (band A). To claim, please go to If you care for someone with a disability who is not your spouse, partner, or a child under 18, you may be entitled to be disregarded for council tax. Council tax: empty homes Any homes that have been empty and unfurnished for more than two years will be charged one and a half times their normal council tax rate. Discount for annexes The Government wishes to support extended families living together (ie children saving for a new home or elderly parents). If parts of a home are constructed or adapted for separate occupation and separately banded for council tax as an annex, a 50 per cent discount can be awarded. If you think this discount applies to you please contact us (see the contact details shown at the start of this booklet). 9

10 Council tax exemptions You don t have to pay council tax on a property if it falls into any of the following exemption categories. If your bill has an exemption code printed on it, you must tell us if you think the exemption is incorrect. If you have not been granted an exemption but think you may be entitled to one, please let us know. Class B Class D Class E Class F Class G Class H Class I Class J Class K Class L Class M Class N Class O Class P Class Q Class R Class S Class T Class U Class V Class W Owned by charity and unoccupied. Exempt for up to six months. Unoccupied because the owner or tenant is in prison. Unoccupied because the owner or tenant now lives in a hospital or care home. Unoccupied after a death. Exempt for up to six months after grant of probate. Unoccupied because occupation is forbidden by law. Unoccupied and is being held for occupation by a minister of religion. Unoccupied as the person has moved to receive personal care elsewhere. Unoccupied as persons have moved to provide personal care elsewhere. Unoccupied properties owned and last used by a student. Unoccupied properties that have been repossessed by the mortgage lender. Student hall of residence. Properties only occupied by students. UK armed forces accommodation. Occupied by a member of visiting force. Unoccupied property that is the responsibility of a bankrupt s trustee. Unoccupied caravan pitch or boat mooring. All occupiers under 18 years of age. Unoccupied granny flat or annex which cannot be let out separately. All occupiers are severely mentally impaired. Main residence of a person with diplomatic privilege or immunity. Granny flat or annex that is occupied by a dependant relative. 10

11 Getting help with your bill Council tax support for working age claimants This is the local scheme that replaced council tax benefit from 1st April 2013 (pensioners are protected). Council Tax Support helps those on a low income, even if they are working, by providing a discount on their council tax liability. If you receive Income Support or Jobseeker s Allowance (income based) or Employment Support Allowance (income related), claiming Council Tax Support will result in maximum Council Tax Support, unless you have another adult living in the property who is not your partner. People who are joint owners or joint tenants, who are neither married nor living together as if they were married, may all be liable for Council Tax. If you are on a low income you can claim Council Tax Support for your share of the bill. Council Tax support for pension age claimants There is protection from any changes for those of pension age. Those receiving guaranteed pension credit will receive the maximum council tax support. Disagree with our decision? If you think our decision is wrong you can ask us to look at it again. Your request needs to be made in writing and include the reasons why you think our decision is wrong plus any additional evidence you want to be taken into account. There is no time limit for asking us to look at a decision again. If we decide that our original decision was correct, you have the right to appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal Service who are independent of the Council. Council Tax support appeals If you believe our decision is wrong you have a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service. You can appeal against the: 11

12 l amount of council tax support we have granted you l information we have used to calculate your council tax support. You cannot appeal against any of the rules of the Council's council tax support scheme itself; Before you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, you must write to us first, asking us to look at our original decision. You can only appeal to the Valuation Tribunal once we have considered our decision and decided that it is correct. If you appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal without first asking us to look at the original decision again, the appeal will not be accepted or considered. If we have decided our original decision is correct, you then have two months in which to appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal. If we don't respond to your request to look at the original decision again within two months, you can appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal. In these circumstances the appeal must be made within four months of the original decision that you think is incorrect. Please note you must continue to pay your council tax while awaiting the result of an appeal hearing. Help with your rent: housing benefit If you are on a low wage or receive certain benefits, you may get help with your rent through housing benefit. You can apply for council tax support at the same time. We will also treat it as a claim for free school meals unless you tell us otherwise. Please see for more details. 12

13 Claim housing benefit today For more details on getting help with your bill or an application form for council tax support and/or housing benefit see uk/benefits or or call us on Help us fight fraud If you think someone is claiming benefit fraudulently, you can report it online at or contact the benefit fraud hotline on , which is a 24 hour free phone service. Any information provided will be treated in strictest confidence. Moving home? Please remember to tell us if you move home. You can either complete the online form at or us at revenues@luton.gov.uk or call us on Let us know immediately about any changes in your circumstances, particularly if you are claiming council tax support or any other discount or a tax exemption You must also tell us if you have been given a discount to which you are not entitled. We rely on accurate information from council tax payers to make the system work. If you knowingly provide inaccurate information or refuse to supply details we need, you could be liable for a penalty of up to 70 and/or risk prosecution. 13

14 How to request a review of your bill If you disagree with our decision about the bill or your responsibility to pay council tax, please write to us giving the reasons why you think your bill is wrong. You can ask for a review of the decision if you think: l we are sending bills to the wrong person for your home l your home should be exempt from council tax l the amount of the bill is wrong, for example if you think you're entitled to a discount or a reduction l we haven't reduced the bill for a disability. Appeals to the Valuation Tribunal If you asked for a review of your bill and do not receive a reply within two months, or you receive a reply within two months and you still disagree with the Council's decision, you have further two months in which to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. (Contact details can be found at the front of this booklet). You cannot appeal if your only reason for doing so is that you do not agree with the Council s local council tax support scheme. Disagree with the banding of your property? Your property has been allocated to one of eight bands by the Inland Revenue s Valuation Office on the basis of its open market value on 1 April Each valuation band pays a different amount of council tax. If you think the property has been placed in the wrong band you may be able to appeal by: l asking the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to check it l making a formal challenge to the VOA you can only do this in certain circumstances; for example, if your property has changed significantly since it was valued. 14

15 Council tax budget 2015/16 Expenditure and income For many years, Luton Borough Council has kept its tax the lowest in Bedfordshire and the tax rate remains below the average of other unitary councils. It has kept costs down with a range of money-saving and income-generating ideas. Property band Capital values ( ) as at 1 Apr 1991 No. of properties Council tax ( ) A with disability relief A B C D E F G H 0 to 40, to 40,000 16, ,001 to 52,000 25,751 1, ,001 to 68,000 21,507 1, ,001 to 88,000 7,528 1, ,001 to 120,000 3,340 1, ,001 to 160,000 1,035 2, ,001 to 320, , more than 320, , Tax base band D equivalents: 46,635 Total: 75,983 (44, /15) For 2015/16 the Council has been able to set a balanced budget while continuing to protect vital services. 8.7 million of growth has been prioritised into key services which include 5.2 million for adults and older person s social care and 1.3 million for children s education and family support. 15

16 Council tax budget 2015/16 Expenditure reductions have been found across a wide range of services as shown below. 43 per cent of the Council s overall budget is for education and children s services, 26 per cent is for housing and 14 per cent for adult social care. The major changes in net spending this year compared to 2014/15 are outlined in the table below Loan debt: it is estimated that loan debt at 31 March 2015 will be million ( million at 31 March 2014) million Growth unavoidable increased spend on services 8.7 Price inflation and employee costs 2.6 Contributions to reserves to meet future pressures 0.7 Revenue effect of capital programme 1.8 Reduced contingency and reorganisation costs -0.2 Social care funding to support increased costs -3.2 Reductions in expenditure and increases in income required to balance the budget with available resources Net change in spend -3.9 Savings and increased income The Council has made more budget reductions through savings and increased income on top of those made in the previous year in order to balance its 2015/16 budget. In the 2014/15 budget, savings totalled 18.2million and for 2015/16 there is a further 14.3 million. For 2014/15 the total is a further 18.2 million. Savings have been sought in every area of the Council's activities and extensive consultation has taken place on many savings proposals. Over 90 per cent of the budget reductions are not expected to impact on current service levels but it has not been possible to shield all public facing services from savings. 16

17 Budget expenditure and income 2015/ / /15 Expenditure 000 per band D property Expenditure 000 per band D property Gross cost of services 517, ,058 Less income -379, ,644 Net cost of services 137, ,414 Contingencies 3,156 3,368 Appropriation to/from 2,732 1,973 earmarked reserve Total net expenditure 143,792 3, ,755 3, Contribution to/from(-) -5, collection fund Revenue Support Grant -37, ,127-1, Collection Fund Business -32, , Rates Business Rates Top Up -10, , Luton Borough Council 57,985 1, ,458 1, Bedfordshire Police 8, , Authority precept Beds Fire Authority 4, , precept Council tax 1, ,

18 Balances and reserves 2015/16 Actual Estimated Estimated General fund m m m General Specific risk management Butterfield profit share Invest to save Planning Welfare reform and recession reserve Reorganisation Service provision Pensions reserve Major projects Public health Investment Insurance Housing revenue account General Capital Reserves provide a general working balance for the general fund and housing revenue account. They are also used to pay for future capital projects and to provide for any fluctuations in income from grants, rents and charges. 18

19 Where the money goes 2015/16 Service 2015/16 expenditure m 2014/15 expenditure m Education and children s services 43% Housing services Adult social care Cultural, environment and planning services Highways, roads and transport services Public health Central services Other costs Service expenditure % 14% 6% 4% 3% 3% 1% Capital financing TOTAL Note: Gross expenditure on services for 2015/16 is budgeted at 9m more than 2014/15, reflecting increases in the budgets for schools, adult social care, public health and housing services. Core grant support from Government has reduced again in 2015/16, but the Council is continuing to lessen the effect of this on public facing services by developing alternative sources of income. 19

20 Capital expenditure 2015/16 Service 2015/16 expenditure m Highways Investment in schools Housing (public sector) Investment in public buildings 8.60 Housing (private sector) 2.05 Vehicles and plant 5.49 Social services 4.20 Other % 18% 35% 10% 3% 7% 5% 4% TOTAL Capital financing 2015/16 Service 2015/16 expenditure m Supported expenditure - capital grant Prudential borrowing Major repairs allowance 9.47 Internal funds 8.18 Contributions 4.99 Usable capital receipts % 36% 12% 10% 6% 12% TOTAL

21 Precept Budget Information 2015/16

22 Foreword by Councillor Colleen Atkins MBE, Chair of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority and Paul Fuller, Chief Fire Officer. In 2015/16, the Fire and Rescue Authority aims to continue to provide an excellent response service to fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies, whilst also striving to reduce the number and severity of such incidents. We have prepared a Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), which shows how the Fire and Rescue Authority will achieve this, by understanding community risks, highlighting how we respond to the full range of emergencies we are called to, and how our prevention and protection activities are targeted to reduce the risks facing our communities. Last year, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended around 5,550 emergency incidents including: over 2,000 house fires; 371 road traffic collisions; 109 flooding incidents; and 1,117 special incidents which includes animal rescues, aircraft, and railway incidents. Our fire fighters rescued 60 people from fires and extricated 99 from road traffic collisions, with a further 68 extricated or released from other special service incidents. Our wide range of prevention activities includes: providing free home fire safety checks and smoke detectors; road safety and home safety education campaigns; and working closely with children and adults of all ages, abilities and cultures. Operational crews and specialist fire safety inspecting officers provide guidance to owners and occupiers of commercial and public buildings, to help them fulfil their legal fire safety responsibilities. In common with all public services, the current economic downturn will require us to make some difficult decisions to achieve significant savings over this and future years. We are confident our careful planning will help us meet those challenges, whilst maintaining high quality services.

23 For 2015/16, the Fire and Rescue Authority has increased its Band D Council Tax requirement by about 3 pence per week. In conjunction with our programme of efficiency savings, this small increase will help ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our communities whilst delivering the necessary reductions in overall costs. This means your Fire and Rescue Service is provided for a Council Tax amount of just 24 pence per day for a Band D household, which we believe continues to represent excellent value for money. Councillor Colleen Atkins MBE, Chair of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority Paul M Fuller QFSM MSc BSc FIFire MinstLM Chief Fire Officer, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

24 Revenue Budget Our revenue budget sets out the money necessary for the day to day running of the service. Through our on-going - programme of efficiency savings we have managed to minimise the increase in our revenue budget requirement for this year compared to last year. Our efficiency measures have allowed us to continue with key service improvements whilst restricting the increase in this year s Council Tax to 1.99 per cent (equivalent to an increase of just 3 pence per week for a Band D household). This has been achieved despite the impact of a 9 per cent reduction in Government grant (compared to 2014/15) totalling 1.079m, and the effect of inflation which has increased our costs this year by 0.421m. Capital Budget Our capital programme highlights spending on assets such as our fire stations and fire engines. Each year the Authority draws up a rolling four year programme of capital projects. The capital projects for this year totals 1.519m and these are being funded from Government grants and contributions from the revenue budget. Projects for this year include: Investment in our vehicle fleet, to maintain effective, economic and efficient fire engines and appliances Investment in IT Investment in the modernisation of our buildings Investing in vital operational equipment such as defibrillators and thermal imaging cameras. Efficiency Savings An efficiency saving occurs when the cost of an activity is reduced but its quality and effectiveness remains the same or improves. The Fire and Rescue Authority continues to focus on finding new ways to deliver the highest quality services at lowest possible cost.

25 In 2010, the Government announced reductions in central grant funding for fire and rescue authorities over the four years 2011/12 to 2014/15 that equated to a 25 per cent reduction, nationally, on 2010/11 levels. There has been a further reduction of 9 per cent for 2015/16. In order to meet the local impact of this whilst continuing to improve services and minimise Council Tax rises, the Fire and Rescue Authority has developed a comprehensive efficiency savings plan. Total achieved and planned savings and efficiencies between 2010/11 and 2014/15 total 3.5m, with a further savings and efficiencies of 1.7m by 2018/19. Some of the key areas where the Authority is achieving its planned efficiency savings include: Savings in managerial and support staff costs through shared service arrangements, organisational restructure and improvements to working systems Savings in temporary appointments through improved vacancy management Savings in property leasing costs through creation of additional office capacity at other sites Savings in fire safety advertising and promotion costs through improved targeting of campaigns at higher risk groups Savings in the Service Vehicle Replacement Programme through improved asset management and maintenance. Audit Judgement on Value for Money In the 2014 Annual External Audit Letter from Ernst & Young, the Fire and Rescue Authority was awarded an unqualified conclusion, meaning that we were judged to have satisfactory arrangements in place in all areas.

26 Financial Charts Where the money comes from: Income 2% Council Tax 59% Central and Local Government Funding 38% 2015/ /15 ( m) ( m) Gross Budget Income Budget Requirement Central and Local Government Funding Council Tax Freeze Grant 1% What the money is spent on: Council Tax Freeze Grant Council Tax / /15 ( m) ( m) Employees Premises Transport Supplies and Services Agency and Contracted Services Capital Financing Reserves Funding Budget Requirement Employees 78% Agency and Contracted Services 2% Transport 3% Supplies and Services 8% Premises 3% Capital Financing 6% The Band D Council Tax for 2015/16 will be The Fire and Rescue Authority has agreed a budget requirement of 28.9 million for 2015/16

27 If you would like a printed copy of this leaflet please contact Sharon Webster on or Sharon.webster@bedsfire.com Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Southfields Road Kempston Bedford MK42 7NR Tel V7 24/2/15

28 Council Tax for policing Building a Safer Bedfordshire Of the total police budget 68% comes from the government and the remaining 32% via the local council tax. Earlier in 2015 Bedfordshire s Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins set a budget of m for 2015/16 compared to m in 2014/15. This figure included an increase in the amount of council tax paid towards policing (the Police Precept) of 15.8% compared to 2014/15 which meant that a Band D property would have risen by Revised Budget Following the referendum an alternative budget based on a 2% Council Tax increase was implemented a year, or 48p a week making a total of per annum. This would have funded 100 extra officers. Because the increase in Council Tax was higher than 2% it was subject to approval in a local referendum, which took place on 7 May The result showed that the majority of Bedfordshire electorate were not prepared to pay a significant percentage increase in the police precept. The new figures mean that a total budget of M has now been set for 2015/16 compared to m in 2014/15. This figure includes an increase in the amount of council tax paid towards policing (the Police Precept) of 2% compared to 2014/15. Clearly, the additional 100 officers that would have joined Bedfordshire Police had the referendum returned a yes vote will not be recruited and the potential benefits these posts would have brought to the Force have been lost. The Bedfordshire Police budget is now 1.28million less in the current financial year than it was last year. According to current assumptions, this will result in a recruitment freeze in the next 18 to 24 months and a potential reduction of up to 135 police officers, or 12% of our current strength. Work continues to identify savings including further, more ambitious, collaborative ventures with our neighbouring forces in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, a redesign of the Police estate and the introduction of new technology.

29 The Cost to you now The chart below sets out what a 2% increase in the Police Precept actually means in cash terms for each property band. Council Tax Property Band What you paid for policing in 2014/15 A 2% increase on your 2015/16 bill adds: The total amount for 2015/16 is now: Building a Safer Bedfordshire A B C D E F G H Getting in touch If you have questions, or views you would like about this you can contact me in the following ways: Write to: Commissioner Olly Martins, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, Bridgebury House, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK43 9AX pcc@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk Tel: _0190

30 RINGMASTER COMMUNITY MESSAGING SYSTEM Stay alert with Ringmaster Ringmaster provides accurate information about crimes in your area direct to your telephone or address and over 17,000 local residents have already signed up. Ringmaster is a Community Messaging Service, providing information about different types of crime, from local crime patterns, business crime, rural crime, faith related crime, equine crime and retail crime. The service is free to everyone. You don t need to be involved in Neighbourhood Watch or one of the other Groups to join Ringmaster. You can select the type of information that is most relevant to you and you can choose how you wish to receive it , online, or text message. You can join Ringmaster online at Alternatively you can phone and an application form can be sent through the post. Building a Safer Bedfordshire 15_0043

31 Supporting you through tough times We can t stop the tough times. But as a Council we are committed to providing you with local quality services delivering value for money. Don t bury your head in the sand if you are in financial difficulty. Contact us as early as possible. We can advise you of any discounts or benefits to which you may be entitled. In special circumstances, we may be able to offer you a revised payment plan. You can also get specialist money advice from outside organisations. Luton Citizens Advice Bureau Provides a range of advice services including how to cope with your debt problems King Street Luton LU1 2DP Tel: Consumer Credit Counselling Service Tel: The UK Insolvency Helpline Debt Advice Service Tel: Luton Law Centre 6th Floor, Cresta House Alma Street Luton LU1 2PL Tel: admin@lutonlawcentre.org.uk National Debtline Tel: Bankruptcy line Tel: Bankruptcy-Insolvency.co.uk Luton Rights 15 New Bedford Road Luton LU1 1SA Tel: