Council Tax

What is Council Tax?

Council Tax is used to help pay for services such as refuse collection, police and education. More details of the range of services are shown on the leaflets included with your bill or see our Council Budget Information.

Council Tax is paid on occupied and unoccupied domestic properties although there are some exemptions.

The person responsible for the bill will normally pay Council Tax on a property if it is their main home. There are some exceptions to this.

If there is only one adult (over 18) living at the property, a 25% discount may be applied for. There are several other categories which may affect the amount you pay (see Discounts, Reliefs and Exemptions).

There is also Council Tax Benefit scheme for people on low incomes. You can estimate any Benefits due to you by using the Benefits Calculator but for a full evaluation make a formal claim as soon as possible.

New or altered properties which remain empty after a Completion Notice has been served are liable for Council Tax.

Council Tax Valuation and Banding

The current list of banding charges is available for 2008/2009

Most dwellings are subject to the council tax. There will be one bill per dwelling, whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented. Each dwelling has been placed in one of the following eight bands according to its open market capital value at 1 April 1991.

The band which your property falls in is dependent on the value of your property as of 1st April 1991. For more information on valuation issues (including appeals), please go to the Valuation Office Agency website.

Direct Debit - Why not choose a better way to pay your Council Tax?

We offer a choice of payment dates 1st or 15th of the month if you switch to paying your Council Tax through your Bank or Building Society account by Direct Debit. Your annual bill will be collected in 10 instalments April to January.

If you apply for Direct Debit through the financial year you will be notified of the dates and amounts of the instalments to be collected. You will receive a minimum of 10 days notice before the first collection date.

To apply to pay by Direct Debit contact Customer Services or download a  Direct Debit form.