O Forest of Dean % il * counc e s i r x ta TIONS P M EXE NTS & U O C DIS 2011-12 O PAY T R O W F O N H O RMATI O F N I CIAL FINAN Forest of Dean District Council Gloucestershire County Council Gloucestershire Police Authority *This excludes parish council charges Welcome We are working hard to deliver quality services - yet we are facing financial challenges and increased responsibilities. In this booklet you’ll find out how the three local authorities that provide services in the area - the district council, the county council and the police - plan to spend your money this year. You will also find information on how to pay, and what help is on offer if you are struggling with your council tax and rent. This year, the average* home will pay £27.93 each week, split as follows: CONTENTS 03 £20.97 £3.12 £3.84 04 06 10 Gloucestershire County Council Forest of Dean District Council Police 11 Local services Making every penny count over the coming year Meeting the challenge An overview of how the county council is responding to budget cuts Council tax and benefits How much you pay, discounts and exemptions Policing priorities Working with the local community helps reduce crime Spending plans Details of district, county and police budgets for 2011-12 *Band D This booklet can be recycled in your kerbside box. Printed on paper from sustainable forests. 2 Your Guide Designed and produced by Now Media, Cheltenham © 2011 FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL Doing more with less From waste and recycling, the safety of our environment, housing advice and benefits payments, through to planning and regeneration, the district council provides a wide range of services that benefit everyone who lives or works in the Forest of Dean or comes to visit us. All this costs the average* council taxpayer in the Forest of Dean just £3.12 a week. Value for money services • We know things are difficult financially for everyone at the moment, which is why we haven’t increased council tax this year. • One of our main aims as a council is to give you, as a council taxpayer, value for money. We are committed to using your council tax wisely and are looking at a wide range of ways to provide services by working differently. CALL 01594 810 000 Forest of Dean District Council is not increasing its portion of your council tax bill this year. • You will probably be aware that as a council we have to save at least £2.3 million over the next four years – just over £1.7 million of this is by 2012-13. Over the last two years we’ve already reduced our budget by the same amount - more than £1.7 million - through efficiencies in management and running costs. • We are continuing to focus on services that are important to our community. We’re looking at how we can be even more efficient whether through working differently or working in partnership with other organisations to make these savings. *Average Band D. To find out more about our services visit www.fdean.gov.uk Follow the council on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on latest news www.fdean.gov.uk 3 GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Meeting the challenge We are living in tough financial times, but we don’t want to simply pass cost pressures on to local people. Council tax has been frozen - a 0% increase for the first time ever. Saving We’ve saved over £60 million by working more efficiently and focusing on vital services over the past three years. Challenges Overall, we need to find another £114 million in savings over the next four years. Over 5,000 people joined our recent ‘Meeting the Challenge’ conversation. To achieve this, we will: • Live within our means - We have to focus on our priorities. That means joining up with partners, reducing overall management costs by at least a third, and making tough choices about the services we provide. • Provide the basics - With less money but increasing demand, we need to spend where the need is greatest, focusing on the most vulnerable people and services to keep the county moving. • Help communities to help themselves - We will pave the way for local people to have more control over local services, such as libraries and youth centres. The council will be smaller, more flexible and more responsive to your needs and expectations. Visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/meetingthechallenge to see the full Council Strategy 2011-14 4 www.gloucestershire.gov.uk Working hard for gloucestershire Gloucestershire’s got talent Our 16-year-old pupils’ GCSE results are in the top 25% of all local authorities in England. Most of our schools and colleges are rated ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’. Keeping you safe Over the last year, house fires were down by 5%, we fitted 40% more smoke alarms and road fatalities and serious casualties have hit an all time low. Protecting children We invested in 30 new social workers to help keep vulnerable children safe. Winter-proofing Through ‘Operation Road Rescue’ three times as many pot holes were filled in one year – a staggering 90,000 - and we doubled our salt stock to over 9,600 tonnes to cope with the snow challenges. War on waste Recycling and composting rates continue to improve and we’re on target to reach 46% by April 2011. helping communities to help themselves Big Community Offer We’re helping local communities get their ideas off the ground – whether it’s taking over local activities like road safety schemes, or taking over community buildings. Caring for the vulnerable The way we deliver social care is changing dramatically. People eligible for longer term support will have more choice and control over the support they receive through their personal budget. Helping build circles of support We are helping people to continue living independently at home for as long as possible – reducing reliance on more costly longer-term support. Visit www.yourcircle.org.uk to find out more. your circle For more information on county council services, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk 01452 425 000 (8.30am – 5.00pm, Mon - Fri) Investing in Gloucestershire We are investing £300,000 into a superfast broadband pilot to help support rural businesses. The project expects to attract up to £12 million of investment from the government and commercial broadband providers. www.gloucestershire.gov.uk 5 ABOUT COUNCIL TAX How much you pay Which band? Your property has been assessed for council tax in one of eight valuation bands (A-H) according to its estimated sale value at 1 April 1991. The table below shows council tax payable for each band for this year and shows the allocation for each authority. If you are a band D payer, £162.29 will go to the district council, £199.69 will be going to the police and £1,090.50 will go towards services supplied by the county council. If you need further information please contact the council tax helpline on 01594 812 532 or email [email protected] Band Property values (As at 01/04/91) The right band? There are very few circumstances in which appeals against banding can be made and are restricted to: • an increase in the property value resulting from building work • a decrease in the property value • the balance between domestic and business use changes Making an appeal does not allow you to withhold payment of council tax. Next step Appeals should be made to: The Listing Officer, Valuation Office Agency, Ley Court, Barnett Way, Gloucester GL4 7RT Tel: 03000 505 150. District Police County Total A up to £40,000 108.19 133.13 727.00 968.32 B £40,001 - £52,000 126.23 155.31 848.17 1,129.71 C £52,001 - £68,000 144.26 177.50 969.33 1,291.09 D £68,001 - £88,000 162.29 199.69 1,090.50 1,452.48 E £88,001 - £120,000 198.35 244.07 1,332.83 1,775.25 F £120,001 - £160,000 234.42 288.44 1,575.17 2,098.03 G £160,001 - £320,000 270.48 332.82 1,817.50 2,420.80 H Exceeding £320,000 324.58 399.38 2,181.00 2,904.96 The totals shown do not include the town and parish council charges. If your bill shows an item of ‘special expenses’ please contact your town or parish clerk for further details. 6 Your Guide Eligible for discount? ABOUT COUNCIL TAX Discounts People with disabilities Your bill may be reduced if you, or anyone living with you, are disabled and need the use of: • an additional bathroom or kitchen to meet the needs of the disabled person • extra space to allow for the use of a wheelchair indoors • a special room to meet the needs of the disabled person If you qualify your council tax will be reduced by one band. For example, if you live in a band C property, you will be charged at the band B rate. If you live in a band A property you can still apply for an equivalent reduction. If you think you might qualify, or would like more information, please telephone the council tax helpline. Home alone? The full council tax bill is for households where there are two or more adults living in a property. If you are the only adult (over 18) living in the property, you can claim a 25% discount. Also, if you are living in the property with someone who fits into one of the categories below and there are no other adults living in the property, you may be entitled to a 25% discount. • full time students, student nurses, apprentices, youth training trainees • 18-19 year old (at or just left school) • hospital/hospice patient (permanent) • residential care/nursing home resident • persons for whom Child Benefit is paid • severely mentally impaired • hostel/night shelter resident • member of religious communities • full time carer (excluding those caring for husband, wife, partner or child) • persons in detention • members of International Headquarters and Defence Organisations • visiting forces • spouses of students who are not British Council tax helpline • diplomats 01594 812 532 [email protected] Your Guide 7 IS YOUR PROPERTY EXEMPT? Exemptions Is your property exempt? Some properties - both occupied and unoccupied - are exempt from council tax. Please contact us if your property falls into one of these categories. Property unoccupied because: A it requires or is undergoing structural alteration or major repair (exempt for up to 12 months) B it was last occupied by a charity (exempt for up to six months) C it is unfurnished (exempt for up to six months) D the owner/tenant is in prison E the owner/tenant is receiving personal care permanently in a hospital or home F it was formerly occupied by a now deceased person G it is forbidden by law to do so H it is awaiting occupation by a minister of religion I the owner/tenant is living elsewhere to receive personal care J its owner/tenant is living elsewhere to provide personal care to another person K its owner/tenant has moved to become a student L it has been repossessed by a mortgage lender Q it is the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee R it comprises a pitch or mooring unoccupied by a caravan or boat T it comprises a self contained unit which cannot be let separately from the main property without breaching planning conditions 8 Your Guide Property occupied by: Mstudents in hall of residence N other qualifying students O members of the armed forces in MOD accommodation P members and dependants of visiting forces S person(s) under the age of 18 U the severely mentally impaired V people with diplomatic privilege or immunity Welderly or disabled relative living in self contained unit of the main property Second homes Second homes are properties that are furnished but where no one lives as their main residence. A 10% discount is granted in respect of properties in this category (Code UA UB). If you are required to occupy a property by reason of your employment, a 50% discount may be awarded (Code JR). Long term empty properties Long term empty properties are unoccupied and unfurnished properties which do not qualify for an exemption (Code UC) or a property that has previously been awarded a class A exemption for a period of up to 12 months (Code PA). CHANGES TO HOUSING BENEFIT Changes to housing benefit from April 2011 Changes for Local Housing Allowance (LHA) customers From 1st April 2011, the government is changing the way housing benefit is calculated. These changes will affect claimants who have their housing benefits assessed using Local Housing Allowance (LHA). The changes are: • an end to the extra housing benefits top up (which can be up to £15.00 per week) for all new claimants. Existing claimants who receive the top up will continue too receive it until their anniversary date of their LHA award or if there is a change in the size criteria of their household • limiting the maximum LHA to that of • the introduction of upper limits (caps) on LHA, to a maximum of: Property size Amount One bedroom property £250.00 per week Two bedroom property £290.00 per week Three bedroom property £340.00 per week Four bedroom property £400.00 per week • from April 2011 a claimant or their partner who rents a property with an extra bedroom for a carer, their housing benefit may take into account that extra cost, subject to specific rules a four bedroom rate for all new and existing LHA claimants • reducing the LHA rates that are calculated by the Valuation Office, for use by the local authority. They can be viewed at www.fdean.gov.uk Housing benefit helpline 01594 812 531 [email protected] Your Guide 9 POLICE An update from the Police Authority: People First Policing Our objective for 2011-12 is: To keep people safe from harm and to inspire the highest levels of public confidence in us, their local police We will focus on three areas: • Improving Engagement and Responsiveness • Protecting People • Improving Service Delivery and Value For Money The Constabulary has restructured from three geographic divisions to six local policing areas. The restructure is aimed at increasing visibility and engagement, better protecting and responding to the needs of communities and providing improved value for money. The Forest will be led by Superintendent Phil Haynes and have a Local Policing Team and a Safer Community Team (SCT), covering the five local communities. The SCT will be led by an Inspector. A Cinderford PCSO is helping coordinate a scheme that aims to protect the vulnerable from rogue traders by offering a way of getting maintenance work done without the heartache. The ‘Strim It ‘n’ Trim It’ project was set up in September by the Forest Voluntary Action Group to offer garden maintenance to the elderly and vulnerable at a nominal charge. For more information: Police Authority www.gloucestershirepoliceauthority.co.uk [email protected] 01242 276 262 10 Your Guide Constabulary www.gloucestershire.police.uk [email protected] 0845 090 1234 POLICE In June the Forest North Safer Communities Team helped spruce up Blakeney Youth Shelter to make it more attractive to young people in the area. The community partnership initiative, headed by local police, provided funding for redecorating to take place while local young people and partner agencies helped do some of the practical work. How we are performing Crime in Gloucestershire has continued to fall and confidence that the Constabulary and councils are dealing with local issues has increased. The reduction in crime was the biggest for the South West and included significant reductions in crimes of particular concern such as violence against the person, burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and criminal damage. At the same time, less people now feel that there is a high level of anti social behaviour in their area. Spending plans Budget Requirement 2010-11 2011-12 Constabulary Police and civilian staff Other running costs Capital financing Expenditure Interest and other income Specific grants Net expenditure Police Authority costs Total budget Transfer to/ from reserve £000 98,084 21,585 2,238 121,907 -4,122 -9,798 107,987 742 108,729 590 £000 94,015 20,565 1,640 116,220 -3,702 -9,848 103,034 713 103,747 2,609 Net Budget Requirement 109,319 106,356 Government grant Collection fund surplus 64,737 307 61,409 277 Which leaves council tax payers to fund 44,275 44,670 Funded by: The level of council tax The band D council tax you will pay this year for services provided by the Police Authority is £199.69, which is the same as last year. The amount we will spend on services will reduce by 2.7%. Chief Constable Tony Melville said, “Confidence that we and our partners are tackling issues of concern is going up and we are determined to do everything we can to ensure that increase in confidence continues.” Rob Garnham, Chair of the Police Authority, said “Increasing public confidence in policing is one of the aims for Gloucestershire Police Authority. We are pleased with the excellent performance of our Constabulary and look forward to continuing this track record even though we face challenging financial times.” The approved budget includes planned savings of £7.8m. The Force is implementing a programme of change to reduce any impact on front line services. How our budget compares with last year Budget Comparison £000 Original Budget 2010-11 Inflation Full year effect of 2010-11 changes Additional costs Reductions in grants Council tax freeze grant Increased transfer to reserves Planned savings 109,319 1,859 -665 896 1,871 -1,115 2,019 -7,828 Budget Requirement 2011-12 106,356 Investment in the future The Authority plans to spend £8.0m in 2011-12 on capital schemes to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery. How many staff we employ The Authority expects to employ 2,100 officers and staff during 2011-12 (average 2,205 during 2010-11). Your Guide 11 SPENDING PLANS Forest of Dean District Council Spending Plans Corporate & Democratic Core Cultural & Related Services Environmental Services General Fund Housing Highways, Roads & Transport Services Planning & Development Services Central Services to the Public Asset Management adjustment Levies and special expenses Parish Precepts Net Spending Partly funded by: Specific Reserves General Balances Budget Requirement Financed by: Government Grant Council tax freeze grant Collection Fund Surplus Which leaves council tax payers to pay Forest of Dean District Council Parish Precepts £000s 2010-11 3,411 1,793 4,297 1,554 2011-12 2,756 855 4,366 1,918 463 75 2,036 339 -2,383 31 1,406 12,947 1,669 397 -1,480 29 1,524 12,109 145 13,092 226 -21 12,314 6,847 102 5,850 119 71 6,143 6,274 4,738 1,406 6,144 4,750 1,524 6,274 The level of council tax Your district council tax has not been increased this year. To achieve this, we have made savings of £275,000 on management and running costs, £577,000 of efficiency savings and £322,000 of service redesign savings. We have consulted with our stakeholders and it was clear that there is a desire for savings to be made before council tax is increased. We felt it was important to keep council tax frozen when other costs are rising. 12 Your Guide Investment in the future We have a three year £5.273m programme of capital projects. These will be funded from capital reserves, capital receipts and government grants. £4.091m will be spent on housing schemes and grants. We will also be spending £0.811m on major repairs and maintenance of the Council’s own assets. Other areas of investment include flood alleviation, a shared services project and sustainable energy schemes on council buildings and land. How our budget compares with last year Budget Comparison £000s Budget Requirement 2010-11 Inflation Growth Savings Changes in spending on services Movements in reserves and balances Budget Requirement 2011-12 13,092 152 258 -1,174 -75 61 12,314 How many staff we employ The District Council is a major employer in the Forest of Dean. 300 people work for us, which is the equivalent of 234 full time jobs. We also employ 79 staff on a casual basis as required, these are mainly employed in our five leisure centres. For further information on the budget contact Derek Broom, Group Manager - Finance and Property, at the Council Offices, High Street, Coleford, GL16 8HG. Tel: 01594 812 540 or visit our website www.fdean.gov.uk SPENDING PLANS Town Councils Cinderford For further details please contact the Clerk to Cinderford Town Council on 01594 822 599 Coleford For further details please contact the Clerk to Coleford Town Council on 01594 832 103 Lydney For further details please contact the Clerk to Lydney Town Council on 01594 842 234 Newent For further details please contact the Clerk to Newent Town Council on 01531 820 638 2010-11 2011-12 Council Cemetery Community projects/events Regeneration Grants Other Gross expenditure Income/Contribution from reserves Precept 99,965 19,000 18,000 20,110 30,000 5,000 192,075 -43,430 148,645 99,450 16,000 15,450 30,050 27,000 5,000 192,950 -36,795 156,155 Council Community and events Finance/ Personnel committee Bathurst Park Trust Lydney Town Hall Trust Lydney Recreation Trust Gross expenditure Income/Contribution from reserves Precept 181,559 0 25,066 112,630 27,920 13,429 360,604 -50,392 310,212 409,709 10,250 30,866 20,500 12,000 483,325 -95,560 387,765 Direct expenses Running costs Capital project items Gross expenditure Income/Contribution from reserves Precept 92,009 71,070 33,700 196,779 -24,298 172,481 85,650 70,275 35,251 191,176 -18,695 172,481 Council Parks/cemetery Belle Vue Centre Grants/donations Other Gross expenditure Precept 105,500 9,000 30,000 8,950 8,000 161,450 161,450 116,100 4,000 30,000 7,900 17,000 175,000 175,000 Parish Precepts - Special Expenses Forest of Dean District Council has resolved that expenses relating to closed churchyards should be treated as special expenses and charged to the relevant parishes. There are currently two parishes to which this applies. Newent Lydbrook Precept Band D charge Precept Band D charge 2010-11 2011-12 1,225 1,150 0.66 0.61 4,330 1,450 5.63 1.88 Your Guide 13 SPENDING PLANS Gloucestershire County Council The level of council tax Budget Requirement Service Children & Young People Community & Adult Care Environment Community Safety (including Fire & Rescue and Emergency Management Services) Additional Police Officers Corporate & Support Services Capital Financing Flood Defence Levies Net Budget Requirement Funded by Area Based Grant Formula Grant Collection Fund Surplus Council Tax Freeze Grant NHS Funding: Social Care Which leaves council tax payers to fund 2010-11 revised £000 79,626 163,910 62,317 2011-12 22,738 21,582 2,125 31,477 42,069 318 404,580 2,125 30,252 41,769 318 396,156 44,153 116,956 1,684 0 0 0 137,836 1,516 6,092 6,770 241,787 243,942 Listening to your views £000 68,350 167,163 64,597 During September and October 2010 the Council undertook a major conversation with the public, partners and staff. The ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign engaged with over 5,000 local people, explaining to them the financial challenges the council faces and asking for their views about which services are most important to them. The public gave us a clear message that we should protect services for the most vulnerable people, with high levels of support for care of older people, care for vulnerable adults, child protection and care for vulnerable children, Fire & Rescue, and supporting thousands of voluntary carers. However, when faced with our financial challenges people recognised and understood the need to make tough choices across the county. 14 Your Guide The council’s Band D council tax is £1,090.50, which is the same as in 2010-11. In accordance with Government proposals set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review council tax income foregone will be replaced by Government grant. The 2011-12 budget of £396.156m represents a reduction of £8.4m or 2.08% from last year’s adjusted figures. Despite the reduction the budget contains: • £9.1 million investment to meet costs of additional vulnerable adults • £6.6 million to cover for increased costs due to inflation • Funding for £54.3 million new capital investment on schools, roads and other services, and revenue provision for the Fire PFI • £5.9 million for the costs of taking responsibility for the countywide concessionary fares scheme In terms of efficiencies, we are expecting to make savings of £36m in 2011-12, demonstrating the council’s continued commitment to get the most out of funds available and minimise service reductions. How our budget compares with last year Budget Comparison Original Budget 2010-11 Revised Budget 2010-11 (due to in year grant reductions) Inflation Cost and spending increases Less cost reductions (inc. ABG) Budget 2011-12 £000 407,264 404,580 6,600 21,170 -36,194 396,156 SPENDING PLANS Our vision and values Our vision is to use the resources available to us to improve the quality of life for Gloucestershire people. Our plans build on three clear values that will help steer us through the years ahead. Applying these values will mean that the council is not only smaller, but also more flexible and more responsive to local people’s needs and expectations: • Living within our means • Providing the basics • Helping communities help themselves Schools The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is a specific grant funding schools, early year’s settings and Children’s Centres. In 2011-12 the estimated DSG is £373m. This is not directly comparable with the 2010-11 figure as a number of grants previously paid to the council have now been mainstreamed into DSG. Investment in the future In 2011-12 the council plans to spend nearly £92m on capital projects, with the majority of spend planned for schools and facilities for children (£47m), and Environment (£32.5m). This will be paid for by borrowing, grants, contributions, and from the proceeds of sales of land and property. As part of the spending review at the council the approved capital spending plans have been reviewed and a number of schemes have been deleted or reduced, resulting in a reduction of over £13m in the plans and enabling savings in the revenue budget of over £1m per annum. A full breakdown is available in the council’s budget information at www.gloucestershire. gov.uk. You can also see copies in libraries or in Council offices. You can get further information about the Council’s budget by writing to Stephen Wood, the Group Director of Business Management, Gloucestershire County Council, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG. Environment Agency A proportion of council tax is payable to the Environment Agency for flood defence. For further information please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood defence along 4682km of main river and along tidal and sea defences, in the area of the Severn Trent Regional Flood Defence Committee. Flood defence money is spent on the construction of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood defences, together with the operation of a flood warning system. The financial details are: Severn Trent Flood Defence Committee Gross Expenditure Levies Raised Council tax base 2010-11 £000 2011-12 £000 63,822 51,066 3,000 2,908 3,000 2,926 The majority of funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, where there are schemes which do not attract central funding the Agency may seek funding from the 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 years reflects the impact of the Government Spending Review and national prioritisation of capital works. The total local levy raised has remained the same in 2011-12 as 2010-11 at £3m. Your Guide 15
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