2015/16 Your Council Services

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Your

Guide

and Council Tax Guide

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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 up to £40,000 Band B £40,001 to £52,000 Band C £52,001 to £68,000 Band D £68,001 to £88,000 Band E £88,001 to £120,000 Band F £120,001 to £160,000 Band G £160,001 to £320,000 Band H £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.

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.

To find out more, contact the Valuation Office Agency at Charlotte Corkish MRICS CMgr MCMI Listing Officer, Council Tax West, Valuation Office Agency, Overline House, Blechynden Terrace, Southampton, SO15 1GW Tel: 03000 501501 Website: www.voa.gov.uk

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About your Council T

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Discounts, reductions and

premiums

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.

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.

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.

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About your Council T

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Exemptions

Do I have to pay council tax on

my property?

Some properties are exempt from council tax. You may not have to pay if:

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

How do I find out more?

Contact the Revenues Team at your council for more information and an application form.

If I’m not happy about a decision,

how do I appeal?

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 Note: Some exemptions are

time-limited and exceptions may apply. This list is a guide only and is not intended to represent a definitive legal position.

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About your Council T

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How to have your

Council Tax liability

reduced if you are

on a low income

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 unlessyou 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, Income-Based 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

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About your Council T

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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 Non-dependant 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/online-forms/change-of-circumstances/ Email us to benefitsunit@southsomerset.gov.uk 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

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).

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About your Business Rates

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.

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.

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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

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 you are entitled to any of the reliefs mentioned, or would like more information, please contact us.

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2014/15 2015/16

Gross Net Gross Net

Service Groups Expend. Income Expend. Expend. Income Expend. £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000

Chief Executive

Strategic Management 653 0 653 662 -15 647

Financial & Corporate Services 49,114 -46,485 2,629 51,329 -48,371 2,958 Legal & Corporate Services 2,078 -474 1,604 2,005 -543 1,462

Strategic Director - Place & Performance

Place & Performance 274 -2 272 117 0 117

Economy 2,885 -1,501 1,384 3,007 -1,692 1,315

Communities 1,444 -107 1,337 1,422 -88 1,334

Strategic Director - Operations & Customer Focus

Operation & Customer Focus 576 -110 467 587 -110 477

Environment 13,802 -6,839 6,963 13,919 -7,072 6,846

Health & Well-being 4,453 -2,221 2,232 4,854 -2,620 2,233 Total Services Expenditure 75,279 -57,738 17,541 77,901 -60,512 17,390

Transfers from reserves -41 -112

Government grant -5,772 -5,507

Business Rates Retention -3,266 -3,328

Total District Precept 8,462 8,443

Town / Parish council precepts 4,036 4,191

Balance Funded by Council Tax 12,498 12,634

£’000

Financial & Corporate Services 2,980

Economy 915

Communities 675

Environment 1,451

Health & Wellbeing 291

6,312

Budget Strategy 2015/16

-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.

Capital Spending

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:

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Chard Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Amenities General 157,382 -11,560 145,822 216,716 -12,328 204,388 Street Cleaning 61,554 -55,705 5,849 71,552 -55,000 16,552 Burial 26,689 -27,211 -522 26,465 -20,711 5,754 Allotments 3,730 -4,000 -270 4,170 -4,300 -130 Market 2,180 -8,500 -6,320 1,890 -6,000 -4,110 Guildhall 284,115 -38,700 245,415 199,258 -43,400 155,858 Tourist Information 23,268 -9,530 13,738 18,196 -9,740 8,456 Support & Other Services 174,340 -7,300 167,040 182,945 -6,650 176,295

Grants 20,000 - 20,000 20,500 20,500

Contribution to/from Balances - - -45,000 - - -37,811 753,258 -162,506 545,752 741,692 -158,129 545,752

Government Support Grant -67,650 -55,930

Precept 478,102 489,822

Crewkerne Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Town Hall 243,445 -28,770 214,675 245,224 -30,105 215,119 Victoria Hall 27,050 -5,972 21,078 15,300 -6,495 8,805 Grounds Maintenance 43,440 -5,289 38,151 48,550 -5,289 43,261 War Memorial Grounds 5,200 -3,200 2,000 3,500 -3,050 450 Joint Burial Committee 32,220 0 32,220 37,440 37,440 Aqua Centre 10,612 -1,950 8,662 12,612 -2,050 10,562 The George Reynolds Centre 1,000 -5,420 -4,420 17,000 -22,670 -5,670

Grants 7,650 0 7,650 7,658 7,658

Legal/Admin Costs Town Green - 0 -10,804 0

Transferred Services from SCC/SSDC 10,250 -7,000 3,250 13,850 -7,000 6,850 380,867 -57,601 312,462 401,134 -76,659 324,475

Precept 279,567 298,105

Ilminster Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Support Services 197,608 -3,320 194,288 203,431 -1,385 202,046 Grounds & Maintenance 54,564 -6,116 48,448 53,819 -8,952 44,867

Public Toilets 4,462 0 4,462 5,220 5,220 Cemetery 9,019 -12,490 -3,471 9,424 -11,500 -2,076 Market House 1,954 0 1,954 1,936 1,936 Grants 2,900 0 2,900 3,900 3,900 Churchyard 4,000 0 4,000 - 0 Market 4,000 -4,500 -500 150 -4,500 -4,350 278,507 -26,426 252,081 277,880 -26,337 251,543

Precept 227,806 231,223

Martock Parish Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Support Services 139,961 -100 139,861 120,750 -2,000 118,750 Recreation 66,750 -12,000 54,750 60,500 -7,900 52,600 Pavilion 61,000 -54,500 6,500 6,500 -2,000 4,500 Parish Hall 14,500 -14,500 0 19,600 -9,500 10,100 Market House 2,000 -100 1,900 2,900 -150 2,750 Burial Ground 25,000 -4,000 21,000 30,000 -5,000 25,000 Finance 8,600 - 8,600 26,448 -125 26,323 Youth Club 33,000 - 33,000 34,395 -3,000 31,395 Other Services 80,494 -3,000 77,494 117,650 -9,250 108,400 Town Improvements 76,000 -29,365 46,635 49,100 -5,000 44,100 Contribution to/from Balances - - -87,613 - - -118,110 507,305 -117,565 302,127 467,843 -43,925 305,808

Precept 279,557 284,993

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Somerton Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Administration 114,750 -10,000 104,750 101,010 -2,000 99,010 Access & Highways 54,220 - 54,220 79,050 -32,750 46,300 Land & Property 160,075 -25,000 135,075 148,559 -42,000 106,559 Projects and Grants 66,500 - 66,500 51,500 - 51,500

Youth 14,100 - 14,100 17,050 17,050

Projects & Communication - - 0 13,600 -800 12,800 Contribution to/from balances - - -55,000 -14,084 409,645 -35,000 319,645 410,769 -77,550 319,135

Precept 295,740 295,740

Wincanton Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Grounds Maintenance 55,100 -600 54,500 62,954 -900 62,054 Burial Grounds 6,500 -3,000 3,500 1,600 -5,500 -3,900 Administration 66,550 -8,100 58,450 70,796 -5,600 65,196 Sports Facilities 12,000 - 12,000 14,000 - 14,000 Town Hall 5,000 - 5,000 5,000 - 5,000 Grants 3,500 - 3,500 33,600 - 33,600 New Projects/Equipment 21,000 - 21,000 3,000 - 3,000 Youth Work 7,000 - 7,000 2,000 - 2,000

David Sharp Centre 5,000 -5,000 0 7,000 -5,000 2,000

Toilets 1,000 - 1,000 2,000 - 2,000

Car park / Land Provision 24,300 - 24,300 24,300 - 24,300

Neighbourhood Plan - - 0 2,000 - 2,000

Contribution to/from balances - - -10,000 - - -15,000 206,950 -16,700 180,250 228,250 -17,000 196,250

Precept 163,090 180,900

Yeovil Town Council 2014/15 2015/16

Expend. Income Net Cost £ Expend. Income Net Cost £ Planning & Licensing 27,471 -22,000 5,471 28,028 -22,400 5,628 Grounds & General Maintenance 259,890 -16,499 243,391 263,446 -16,994 246,452 Buildings & Civic Matters 135,074 -22,640 112,434 152,664 -24,490 128,174 Promotions & Activities 80,555 -3,600 76,955 73,647 -2,600 71,047 Joint Burial (Net) 99,624 - 99,624 80,420 - 80,420

Grants 20,000 - 20,000 20,000 - 20,000

Support Services 173,520 - 173,520 176,990 - 176,990 Other Services 211,102 -7,200 203,902 205,857 -5,700 200,157 1,007,236 -71,939 935,297 1,001,052 -72,184 928,868

Precept 815,882 834,688

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.

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Parish Precepts

Precept Total number Adjusted band Precept BAND D 14/15 Parish Name of properties D equivalents 15/16 charge

£ £ £:p

18,103 Abbas and Templecombe 748 529.60 18,285 34.53 609 Alford( Cary Moor) 39 42.77 620 14.49 7,380 Aller 175 154.58 7,575 49.00 24,965 Ansford 473 385.98 24,415 63.25 12,367 Ash 266 261.22 15,000 57.42 3,400 Ashill 243 240.64 3,375 14.03 3,394 Babcary 100 114.18 3,489 30.56 10,880 Barrington 213 198.35 11,145 56.19 6,310 Barton St. David 230 231.16 6,515 28.18 30,815 Barwick 578 406.90 30,830 75.77 1,150 Beercrocombe 59 62.25 1,170 18.80 0 Bratton Seymour 59 55.94 0 0.00 3,535 Brewham 199 195.03 3,510 18.00 7,770 Broadway 325 324.40 7,845 24.18 45,575 Bruton 1,227 898.59 56,485 62.86 54,480 Brympton 3,134 2,452.46 55,620 22.68 6,980 Buckland St. Mary 225 228.95 7,290 31.84 102,320 Castle Cary 1,166 821.93 106,895 130.05 3,000 Chaffcombe 97 104.41 3,000 28.73 478,102 Chard Town 6,270 4,008.21 489,822 122.20 5,785 Charlton Horethorne 287 289.61 5,820 20.10 10,435 Charltons 478 404.60 13,555 33.50 6,280 Charlton Musgrove 175 189.24 6,280 33.19 80 Chillington 52 58.13 80 1.38 8,920 Chilthorne Domer 227 195.15 9,005 46.14 0 Chilton Cantelo 47 47.61 0 0.00 4,750 Chiselborough 147 143.29 4,755 33.19 0 Closworth 88 88.59 0 0.00 13,770 Combe St. Nicholas 659 559.50 14,785 26.43 15,340 Compton Dundon 305 287.60 15,640 54.38 1,740 Compton Pauncefoot 70 83.48 1,220 14.61 2,500 Corton Denham 102 118.83 2,500 21.04 279,567 Crewkerne Town 3,556 2,426.16 298,105 122.87 0 Cricket St. Thomas 27 26.86 0 0.00 1,210 Cucklington 89 95.40 1,250 13.10 0 Cudworth 26 26.84 0 0.00 3,550 Curry Mallet 143 124.92 3,725 29.82 24,265 Curry Rivel 1,002 864.18 24,565 28.43 0 Dinnington 30 29.43 0 0.00 6,410 Donyatt 154 130.25 6,690 51.36 2,450 Dowlish Wake 133 135.67 2,460 18.13 3,985 Drayton 166 174.26 3,985 22.87 6,525 East Chinnock 231 207.29 7,330 35.36 44,870 East Coker 803 766.76 45,180 58.92 11,725 Fivehead 277 257.78 12,904 50.06 10,850 Hambridge & Westport 220 196.36 10,965 55.84 15,120 Hardington Mandeville 244 267.20 15,270 57.15 8,460 Haselbury Plucknett 336 284.30 8,555 30.09 30,000 Henstridge 829 646.27 28,935 44.77 18,500 High Ham 379 379.29 21,725 57.28 8,370 Hinton St. George 237 230.05 10,640 46.25 1,120 Holton (North Vale) 115 125.11 1,142 9.13 9,265 Horsington 269 295.92 9,330 31.53 11,115 Horton 382 308.11 11,466 37.21 37,000 Huish Episcopi 1,051 828.53 39,000 47.07 21,270 Ilchester 1,103 686.64 21,980 32.01 227,806 Ilminster Town 2,777 1,913.56 231,223 120.83 15,000 Ilton 394 280.89 16,000 56.96 1,570 Isle Abbotts 94 87.13 1,595 18.31 0 Isle Brewers 62 62.67 0 0.00 15,045 Keinton Mandeville 419 390.97 15,349 39.26 24,235 Kingsbury Episcopi 591 528.99 24,190 45.73 8,000 Kingsdon 164 153.90 11,000 71.48 0 Kingstone 43 46.52 0 0.00 995 Kingweston 30 28.86 980 33.95

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Parish Precepts

Precept Total number Adjusted band Precept BAND D

14/15 Parish Name of properties D equivalents 15/16 charge

£ £ £:p 1,200 Knowle St. Giles 67 73.78 1,180 15.99 71,906 Langport 549 316.30 71,906 227.34 0 Limington 93 79.37 0 0.00 6,690 Long Load 151 143.53 8,000 55.74 17,694 Long Sutton 379 368.83 18,130 49.16 5,025 Lopen 121 108.06 5,165 47.80 1,102 Lovington (Cary Moor) 74 76.23 1,105 14.50 556 Maperton (North Vale) 55 58.76 533 9.07 6,855 Marston Magna 209 196.17 7,005 35.71 279,557 Martock 2,199 1,609.29 284,993 177.09 38,920 Merriott 900 669.65 38,900 58.09 55,000 Milborne Port 1,379 1,076.73 58,000 53.87 14,691 Misterton 424 348.40 16,172 46.42 18,635 Montacute 344 252.73 19,008 75.21 0 Muchelney 81 74.16 0 0.00 20,900 Mudford 329 276.84 28,177 101.78 840 North Barrow (Cary Moor) 51 61.00 885 14.51 9,361 North Cadbury 439 437.86 9,414 21.50 2,438 North Cheriton (North Vale) 94 99.82 2,447 24.51 4,140 North Perrott 122 114.62 4,347 37.92 18,130 Norton sub Hamdon 327 300.65 18,265 60.75 15,323 Odcombe 344 283.51 15,220 53.68 4,758 Pen Selwood 148 162.09 4,758 29.35 5,100 Pitcombe 195 202.03 5,170 25.59 4,870 Pitney 162 173.20 5,000 28.87 0 Puckington 55 50.27 0 0.00 13,045 Queen Camel 377 318.90 14,160 44.40 6,000 Rimpton 113 120.44 6,055 50.27 9,820 Seavington St. Mary 177 159.72 10,378 64.98 3,180 Seavington St. Michael 55 51.89 3,372 64.99 11,320 Shepton Beauchamp 344 279.29 13,250 47.44 2,285 Shepton Montague 93 93.27 1,935 20.75 295,740 Somerton 2,242 1,676.44 295,740 176.41 969 South Barrow (Cary Moor) 69 65.09 945 14.52 3,865 South Cadbury and Sutton Montis 134 138.87 4,380 31.54 120,200 South Petherton 1,695 1,386.56 127,500 91.95 4,898 Sparkford 274 242.07 4,978 20.56 1,550 Stocklinch 224 61.49 1,550 25.21 49,195 Stoke sub Hamdon 938 675.55 49,195 72.82 3,873 Stoke Trister 157 150.30 4,435 29.51 38,655 Tatworth and Forton 1,178 946.60 39,988 42.24 29,359 Tintinhull 424 345.99 30,201 87.29 0 Wambrook 87 89.36 0 0.00 2,700 Wayford 56 49.30 2,700 54.76 6,495 West Camel 265 177.61 6,982 39.31 7,930 West Chinnock 221 237.88 7,885 33.15 27,440 West Coker 952 808.73 29,125 36.01 5,475 West Crewkerne 234 218.87 6,155 28.12 453 Whitelackington 86 76.29 462 6.06 0 Whitestaunton 146 117.90 0 0.00 163,090 Wincanton Town 2,863 1,987.47 180,900 91.02 13,716 Winsham 357 287.28 14,790 51.48 1,264 Yarlington (North Cadbury) 56 59.37 1,276 21.49 815,882 Yeovil Town 14,041 8,733.72 834,688 95.57 52,551 Yeovil Without 3,748 2,635.30 59,997 22.77 2,100 Yeovilton 163 147.99 2,200 14.87 3,796,068 Total Precepts 75,900 57,143.68 4,191,067

5,960 Castle Cary (All Saints Churchyard) 1,166 821.93 5,960.00 7.25 3,600 Henstridge (St Nicholas Churchyard) 829 646.27 3,600.00 5.57 3,149 Ilchester (St Mary Major Churchyard) 1,103 686.64 3,149.00 4.59 830 Wayford (St Michaels Churchyard) 56 49.30 830.00 16.84 13,539 Total Special Levies 3,154 2,204.15 13,539

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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.

Somerset County Council

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.

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2

What we do…

Somerset County Council has a total budget of £699m to spend in

2015/16, compared to £706m in 2014/15 and £748m in 2013/14. That’s

nearly £50m less than two years ago. This money is spent on these

services:

What we do…

Somerset County Council has a total budget of £699m to spend in 2015/16,

compared to £706m in 2014/15 and £748m in 2013/14. That’s nearly £50m

less than two years ago. This money is spent on these services:

2

What we do…

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 which comes to £110m. 2

What we do…

2014/15, compared to £748m in 2013/14 - £42m less. This money is

spent on these services:

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3

The movement in this year’s budget is due to:

•

Reduction in funding from central government

•

Population growth

•

Financing spending, for example, building roads

•

Responsibility for Public Health initiatives

Our net budget in 2015/14 is £314.7m compared 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

generalenquiries@somerset.gov.uk

Write

Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset,

TA1 4DY

The movement in this year’s budget is due to:

• Reduction in funding from central government

• Population growth

• Financing expenditure, for example, building roads

• New responsibility for Public Health initiatives

Our net budget in 2015/14 is £314.7m compared 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.

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4

What we do for you

Somerset is a county that covers more than 1,300 square miles and is

home to more than 500,000 people who will, in some way or another,

use Somerset County Council services almost every day.

We help and protect

children

and

young people

, look after children in

care, and help schools improve.

We support

elderly

and

vulnerable adults

. Helping people support

themselves at home, organising care home placements and making

sure people are kept safe.

We maintain more than 4,000 miles of

roads

. Fixing potholes, looking

after street lights and traffic signals, organising school transport and

managing residential parking.

We work hard to attract

investment

and

jobs

to the county. Driving

improvements in things like broadband and infrastructure.

We also have an extensive network of

libraries

, we

register

births,

deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, give advice on major

planning

applications, and help manage

waste

and recycling.

For all enquiries, visit

www.somerset.gov.uk

or phone

0300 123 2224.

Somerset is