1. home and garden

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
council.tax@fdean.gov.uk
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
council.tax@fdean.gov.uk
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
housing.benefits@fdean.gov.uk
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
police.authority@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk
01242 276 262
10 Your Guide
Constabulary
www.gloucestershire.police.uk
callcentre@gloucestershire.police.uk
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