Council Tax

Council Tax is the means by which local services are paid for. Each year we calculate the amount of money we require to pay for the services we provide. In addition parish councils, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Fire Authority and  Derbyshire Police Authority inform us of their budget requirement and then the Council Tax is then calculated after taking into account any grants received from Central Government.

Our Council Tax levy

Our Council Tax levy for 2013/14 is an average £105.43 for a typical Band A property. So Bolsover District Council receives, on average, only 10% of your total Council Tax bill. This pays for the services and activities we provide including:

• We clean the main roads (on average) every 3 days and side roads (on average) every 3 weeks in your neighbourhood ...
• We collect your household waste 52 weeks of the year
• We provide free swimming for under 16’s and over 60’s
• We take tough action on environmental crime such as fly tipping and dog fouling
• We provide concessionary travel for the elderly and disabled
• We have nine Community Action Network (CAN) Rangers who patrol your streets
• We provide a re-homing service for lost and abandoned dogs
• We regularly undertake food, health and safety inspections at businesses across the district
• We provide recycling facilities at 48 locations across the district and collect paper, glass and aluminum every two weeks
• We provide housing advice and benefits

Council Tax is payable for every domestic property. There is one bill per household.

The amount payable depends on the value of the property and, whilst Council Tax was introduced on 1st April 1993, the valuations are based on the open market values as at 1st April 1991.

All domestic properties are valued and placed in one of eight valuation bands.  A Listing Officer at the Valuation Office is responsible for compiling, maintaining and notifying the Council of the banding of a property.

The eight valuation bands are:

Each band is subject to a different level of tax; Band A will have the lowest tax and Band H the highest.  The relevant band for your dwelling will be shown on your Council Tax bill.

WHO IS LIABLE TO PAY COUNCIL TAX

You will be liable for Council Tax if you are the one who falls under the first of the descriptions below to apply.

• The owner-occupier.
• The occupier who has a leasehold interest in the property.
• The occupier under a tenancy agreement.
• The occupier under a contractual licence.
• The resident
• The owner of the dwelling.

A man and a woman who are married or living together as husband and wife will be jointly liable.

WHEN THE OWNER IS LIABLE

For certain cases the owner will be responsible for the Council Tax rather than the occupier(s).  The classes are:

• Nursing and similar homes.
• Houses of religious communities.
• Houses in multiple occupation.  This is where a dwelling was built or adapted for  occupation by persons who are not part of the same household or occupied by a person, or by two or more people, each of whom is a tenant of only part of the dwelling e.g. they may rent separately one or two rooms but share a kitchen and/or bathroom.
• Dwellings where staff live that are occasionally occupied by their employer.
• Residences of ministers of religion.
• Dwellings provided to asylum seekers.

There are various discounts and exemptions which can apply to the tax for any one property which have to be monitored and changes made as and when they occur.

There is a duty, to all local taxpayers, to collect, as far as possible, all monies due. This involves reminding people of their obligations, but can get as serious as a court summons to recover the debt.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 May 2013 09:53