COUNCIL TAX information 2015/16

North Hertfordshire District Council Making North Hertfordshire a vibrant place to live, work and prosper INTRODUCTION BY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) provides a wide range of services and although you pay all your Council Tax to NHDC, the share we keep is only 14% or the equivalent of 4 per week, or 57 pence per day, for a Band D property. Every pound collected in Council Tax is split between NHDC, Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire (HPCC) as shown below. Herts County Council (76p) provided in a very different way now through the retained business rates system and so direct comparison is not possible. The new funding streams, such as New Homes Bonus, which is received based on new house building is not included in the 4.4m figures quoted. As a result of this ongoing funding reduction NHDC has reluctantly decided to increase the amount of Council Tax it raises by 1.9% for the financial year 2015/16. The increase is equivalent to 3.88 per year on the annual Council Tax bill for a Band D property or just over 7p per week. We have continued with our existing Priorities for 2015/16: Promoting Sustainable Growth Working with local communities Living within our means Details of the projects we aim to deliver to support these priorities are provided in this leaflet. www.north-herts.gov.uk COUNCIL TAX information 2015/16 HPCC (10p) NHDC (14p) The Council has already identified over 11.5million of savings over the last ten years in the drive to become more efficient and enable investment in Council priorities which in turn reflect the priorities of North Hertfordshire s residents. Much of this has been achieved without having a serious impact on front line services but it is clear that to achieve further significant savings the Council will need to continue to implement and look for alternative ways of working. Government funding will be over 11% less in 2015/16 compared to 2014/15 and is certain to reduce further in the coming years. Government funding through revenue support grant and business rates in 2010 was around 8m, whereas for 2015/16 it will be just under 4.4m. However, Government funding is We have committed to reducing expenditure and generating income to save 440,000 in the coming year and more will be needed in the following years. However, the needs of residents and local communities will be uppermost in our minds as we continue to make the painful but necessary financial decisions in the months and years ahead. Despite the tough economic climate, we have committed to investing approximately 11million in key capital projects in the coming year, which include a significant amount of investment in North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth, delivery of a number of projects outlined in the Council s Green Space Strategy and will continue with the Regeneration of John Barker Place and the development of a new District Museum and community facility in Hitchin. Further change is inevitable and so we will continue to examine how we can work more efficiently or do things differently, such as by sharing services with other councils or organisations. I hope you will find the information in this leaflet useful. Cllr Lynda Needham, Leader of the Council

COUNCIL TAX BANDING COUNCIL TAX LEVELS 2015/16 Band A 138.67 Band B Band C District County Police TOTAL 161.79 184.90 760.73 887.51 1,014.30 98.55 114.97 131.40 997.95 1,164.27 1,330.60 Band D 208.01 1,141.09 147.82 1,496.92 Band E 254.23 1,394.67 180.67 1,829.57 Band F 300.46 1,648.24 213.52 2,162.22 Band G 346.68 1,901.82 246.37 2,494.87 Band H 416.02 2,282.18 295.64 2,993.84 PARISH/COMMUNITY/TOWN COUNCIL AREAS If you live in an area with a Parish, Community or Town Council, the following amounts will be added to your Council Tax bills for an equivalent Band D property. Band D Ashwell 60.50 Barkway 98.28 Barley 66.86 Bygrave 40.79 Caldecote & Newnham 27.67 Clothall 21.61 Codicote 63.08 Graveley 30.80 Great Ashby 8.43 Hexton 0 Hinxworth 66.07 Holwell 51.72 Ickleford 53.30 Kelshall 36.68 Kimpton 71.13 Kings Walden 65.48 Knebworth 69.47 Band D Langley 0 Letchworth 0 Lilley 39.64 Nuthamstead 0 Offley 47.72 Pirton 55.84 Preston 29.63 Radwell 14.61 Reed 26.69 Royston 42.18 Rushden & Wallington 18.54 St. Ippolyts 22.31 St. Pauls Walden 67.34 Sandon 27.19 Therfield 21.31 Weston 39.00 Wymondley 58.43 WHAT DO WE DO? We deliver a wide range of services including the following: Provide three key leisure facilities, North Herts Leisure Centre, Hitchin Swim Centre and Royston Leisure Centre. In addition we run the Letchworth outdoor pool and manage the sports hall at Fearnhill School. These facilities had over 1.2 million visits in 2013/14. Collection of refuse and recycling from nearly 56,000 households. Our household recycling rate is one of the best in the country and we have achieved over 60% recycling in 2014/15. Provide information and advice about housing to everyone, including people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Participate in the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme which has assisted over 29 first time buyers to purchase a property in the North Hertfordshire Area. Provide and maintain parks and open spaces for all to enjoy, such as the recently renovated Howard Park and Gardens and nature reserves at Oughtonhead Common and Claypit Hill in Great Ashby. COUNCIL TAX BANDINGS (BASED ON THE 1990 VALUATION) Bandings Band A up to 40,000 Band B Band C Band D Band E Value 40,001 to 52,000 52,001 to 68,000 68,001 to 88,000 88,001 to 120,000 COUNCIL TAX INCREASE FROM 2014/15 TO 2015/16 District 1.90% The following relates to Royston Town Council ROYSTON TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET DETAILS 2015-2016 Cultural & Related Services Environmental & Regulatory Services Other Services 269,120 112,090 Income 115,630 16,100 Net 153,490 28,640-28,640 95,990 Provide support to voluntary groups by grant funds to organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Deal with over 2400 Planning Applications per annum and 8,100 building control applications. Collect Council Tax and deal with over 7,000 Housing Benefit claims. Ensure public health is maintained by carrying out 400 food safety inspections and investigating 6000 noise nuisance complaints each year. Band F Band G Band H 120,001 to 160,000 160,001 to 320,000 Over 320,000 County Police TOTALS 1.99% 0% 1.78% Council Tax Reduction Scheme Precept 20,260 257,860 409,850 409,850 278,120 Enable people to stay in their own homes by providing disabled facility grants and operating a community alarms service (Careline) www.care-line.co.uk

PROGRESS ON KEY PROJECTS IN 2014/15 In 2014/15 the following projects/improvements were delivered: We consulted with you on the Preferred Options for the Draft Local Plan. Renovation work at Hitchin Town Hall is nearly completed to provide a modern, accessible North Hertfordshire Museum and we successfully applied for Heritage Lottery funding for the fit-out costs for the new museum. Grants totalling 50,000 were awarded to improve community and village halls. Projects and improvements planned for 2015 and beyond In the coming year, we will continue to explore opportunities for delivering our services in different ways to ensure we deliver services which provide best value for money and which support the delivery of our priorities. Projects to Promote Sustainable Growth The following specific projects will support this priority: Consideration of the representations made on the preferred options document to support a new Local Plan Dispose of surplus Council land that can be developed to provide new homes and generate Capital sums to fund key projects Following the construction of a new Westmill Community Centre, John Barker Place regeneration will commence to rebuild the shops, provide additional affordable homes and new community facilities. Continue an open dialogue with interested developers on the Churchgate site. Projects to deliver the priority of Working with Our Communities The Council will continue to work with community facilities including those in the rural areas to support the management of them and their sustainability Complete the fit out and open the North Hertfordshire Museum and Community Facility. As part of the John Barker Place regeneration a new Westmill Community Centre will be constructed and the old one demolished. Delivery of identified projects in the Green Space Strategy including the provision of water splash parks in Bancroft Recreation Ground in Hitchin and Priory Memorial Garden Royston. Redevelopment and refurbishment at North Herts Leisure Centre Living within our Means Includes the delivery of the following: The Council Offices will be refurbished including green initiatives where appropriate to ensure a more efficient use of all utilities Dependent on agreement to the Business Case, to form a partnership agreement for the delivery of Building Control services with six other Hertfordshire authoritie To implement the outcomes from energy audits undertaken in 2013/14 to reduce energy consumption where these have a proven payback

HOW DOES NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL SPEND ITS MONEY? WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? The table below shows how much we plan to spend on each of the main services we provide and how this compares with the previous year. The table below shows how we fund our expenditure. Our income sources from Government, Business (Non-Domestic Rates) and fees and charges do not meet all of the cost of providing our services and the difference is funded from the Council Tax charge to local residents. Council Revenue Income 2015/16 GENERAL FUND BUDGET ANALYSIS 2015/16 2014/15 Housing Benefit Subsidy Formula Government Grant Retained Business Rates New Homes Bonus Fees & Charges 44.75 40,080 1,887 2,557 2,393 8,032 Commercial Rents Investment Interest Other Government Grants & Contributions Council Tax Income Net Net 925 26 899 887 Waste & Recycling Collection 6,368 2,554 3,814 3,710 Leisure & Environmental Services 7,358 2,939 4,419 4,176 HOW OUR SPENDING HAS CHANGED FROM 2014/15 Policy & Community Development 1,608 26 1,582 1,646 The table below shows how our spending has changed from last year. 41,535 40,080 1,455 1,248 Development & Building Control 1,782 874 908 810 Strategic Planning and Enterprise 1,542 301 1,241 1,140 Housing and Public Protection 4,664 1,530 3,134 3,210 Democratic Services 1,705 3 1,702 1,654 961 40 921 901 68,448 48,373 20,075 19,382 Commercial Rents 840 Interest Received 486 2,742 2,420 16,061 15,636 Revenue Support Grant -1,887-2,674 Business Rates Baseline -2,474-2,510 Other grants -2,369-2,069-83 0-9,854-9,590 Cultural & Related Services Revenues & Benefits Corporate & Other Services Sub- Capital Charges 2,742 65,706 49,645 Funded By: Business Rates retained above baseline Council Tax Requirement Contribution to /(from) Reserves 606 1,207-16,061-15,636 43.87 247 9,854 66,322 BUDGET CHANGES 2014/15 to 2016/16 000s Council Tax Requirement 2014/15 Inflation (net of fees and charges increases) Base Changes Efficiencies New Investment in Priorities Reduction in Government Funding and Retained Business Rates Increase in New Homes Bonus and Other Grants Change in Contribution to Reserves Council Tax Requirement 2015/16 9,590 557 76-441 239 740-300 -607 9,854 WHAT WE SPEND ON CAPITAL PROJECTS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH SERVICES AND HOW THAT EXPENDITURE IS FUNDED The Council plans to invest 11million of capital funds in its three priorities: Living within our means - includes leisure centre and other property improvement and enhanced information technology for more efficient processes Promoting Sustainable Development - includes the delivery of our transport, cycle and green infrastructure strategies and energy efficiency measures. Working with our Communities - includes new splash parks and improvements to facilities, grants to Housing Associations for the delivery of affordable housing, the Disabled Facility Grant scheme and other improvements in the Community. The Table Below shows what we spend in delivering some of the projects referred to above and how we fund our capital expenditure. We fund this expenditure from receipts from the sale of assets (capital receipts), prudential borrowing, Government Grants, contributions from developers and third parties and revenue. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE & FUNDING 2015/16 Funded by: Living within our means Promoting Sustainable Development Working with our Communities 8,149 627 2,560 11,336 2015/16 Funding Capital Receipts Government Grants Revenue Third Party Contributions Set Aside Receipts 3,996 772 223 475 5,870 11,336

WAYS TO PAY YOUR COUNCIL TAX There are numerous ways in which you can pay your Council Tax. The most popular method is by direct debit but you can pay by debit/credit card, swipe card, standing order and cheque. Visit www.north-herts.gov.uk and search for Council Tax Having trouble paying your Council Tax? There are a number of ways that the Council can help you: You may be entitled to a discount or help under the Council Tax reduction scheme Visit www.north-herts.gov.uk and search for Discounts and Exemptions You can contact the Council s housing options team for advice on 01462 474000 or look at our Housing pages on the NHDC website www.north-herts.gov.uk. If you are struggling with money problems and are worried about meeting mortgage or rent payments, you may wish to talk with our Housing Debt Advice Officer 01462 474682 If you are having trouble paying your Council Tax speak to the Council s Recovery Team immediately by calling 01462 474000. MAKING ACCESS TO COUNCIL SERVICES EASIER You can contact us via our website at www.north-herts.gov.uk Or email us at service@north-herts.gov.uk You can ring our Customer Service Centre on 01462 474000 Or for the hard of hearing on textphone 01462 474800 for all enquiries You can write to us at: North Hertfordshire District Council, PO Box 480, M33 0DE Please use this for all correspondence for the following services: Revenues & Benefits, Planning & Building Control, Housing & Environmental Health Post for all other services should continue to be sent to: District Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 3JF COMMENTS We welcome all comments about the services we provide and use your feedback to improve our performance. You can register your comments/complaints about any of our services via our website at www.northherts.gov.uk, by person at the council offices, by email at service@north-herts.gov.uk by post, or by telephone using our Customer Service Centre on 01462 474000. A free booklet outlining the role of the Local Government Ombudsman is available from the NHDC main offices in Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City or by writing to 21 Queen Anne s Gate, London SW1H 9BU. If you would like an audio cassette, Braille or large print version contact: 01462 474552 LEVYING BODIES Hertfordshire County Council has to contribute to the funding of the Environment Agency (South East and Anglian Regions) and the Lee Valley Regional Park. NHDC is obliged to inform taxpayers of the gross expenditures of these levying bodies, which is as follows: Environment Agency South East and Anglian Regions The Environment Agency is a levying body for its Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Functions. The majority of funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, under the new Partnership Funding rule not all schemes will attract full central funding. To provide matching funding the Agency may seek funding from County Councils in the form of a local levy. The local levy is shared on the basis of Band D equivalents between all contributing bodies within the Committee Area. Changes in the gross budgeted expenditure between the years both reflects the impact of the Government Spending Review and national prioritisation of projects. For 2015/16 the total Local Levy raised has increased by 0% and by 1.9% for the Anglian and Thames areas respectively. The financial details are: Levies Raised Council Tax Base Thames Region Flood and Coastal Committee 2014/15 000s 63,731 10,500 4,556 2015/16 2014/15 2015/16 000s 000s 000s 74,750 15,253 14,950 10,700 4,674 Anglian Central Regional Flood and Coastal Committee 1,041 617 LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Budget/Levy Changes 2014 / 15 2015 / 16 2014/15 to 2015/16 ( 000) m m Operating 24.3 22.1 Operating Income (13.4) (13.3) Net Service Operating Costs 10.9 8.7 Financing Costs Debt servicing/repayments 0.7 0.6 - Capital Investment 2.0 1.8 Net 13.6 11.2 Levy (11.3) (11.1) Letchworth, Baldock and Hitchin Cover photos copyright SLM Photography 1,051 To find out more about how this budget is spent go to www.leevalleypark.org.uk 630