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Council Information 2021-22

Welcome page This document shows how much of your money is allocated to Council. It shows what your money is spent on and what services are provided to you locally. It also records year-on-year changes in spending and . In addition, this booklet includes information about Council Tax discounts, reductions and exemptions.

You can find information on the allocation of Council Tax and spending by East County Council. Visit the County Council website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/finance/counciltax/

The Secretary of State made an offer to adult social care authorities. (“Adult social care authorities” are local authorities which have functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, namely county councils in , district councils for an area in England for which there is no county council, borough councils, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.) The offer was the option of an adult social care authority being able to charge an additional “precept” on its council tax without holding a referendum, to assist the authority in meeting its expenditure on adult social care from the financial year 2016- 17. It was originally made in respect of the financial years up to and including 2019- 20. If the Secretary of State chooses to renew this offer in respect of a particular financial year, this is subject to the approval of the House of Commons.” Visit the adult social care website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/socialcare/

Visit the East Sussex Fire and Rescue website at www.esfrs.org/about- us/publication-of-information/financial-information/

Visit the and Crime Commissioner website at www.sussex- pcc.gov.uk/about/transparency/what-we-spend-how-we-spend-it/

Council Tax Charges for 2021/22 The amount of Council Tax you pay is based on the value of your property. The market value of your property was set on 1 April 1991.

Property Valuation Bands

Band Property Valuations A Up to and including £40,000 B From £40,001 up to £52,000 C From £52,001 up to £68,000 D From £68,001 up to £88,000 E From £88,001 up to £120,000 F From £120,001 up to £160,000 G From £160,001 to £320,000 H More than £320,000

Your Council Tax bill shows the band that applies to your property.

Your Council Tax Explained 2021/22 Total for per Precept Precept Band D gets week For every £1 you pay in Council Tax: £m % £ £ £ East Sussex County Council 56.68 71% 1,544.04 0.71 29.69 Council 7.88 10% 214.53 0.10 4.13 Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner 7.89 10% 214.91 0.10 4.13 East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service 3.58 4% 97.43 0.04 1.87 Town and Parish Councils 4.34 5% 118.31 0.05 2.28 Total 80.37 100% 2,189.22 1.00 42.10

East Sussex County Council £7.9m

Lewes District Council

£7.9m Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner East Sussex Fire £56.7m £3.6m and Rescue Service £4.3m Town and Parish Councils

Total £80.4m How your Council Tax is calculated

2020/21 2021/22 Council Council Tax Tax Budget Band D Budget Band D £m £ £m £ LDC's budget before fees, charges, sales, rent 27.242 740.05 28.686 781.39 Plus net contribution to reserves 1.656 44.99 1.181 32.17 Less income from fees, charges, sales, rents, contributions (7.065) (191.93) (8.318) (226.58) Lewes District Council net budget 21.833 593.11 21.549 586.98 Less funding from: Central Government and Business Rates (14.037) (381.32) (13.551) (369.13) Previous years' Council Tax (0.083) (2.25) (0.122) (3.32) Council Tax - Lewes District Council 7.713 209.54 7.876 214.53

PLUS precepts from Town and Parish Councils 4.198 114.04 4.343 118.31 East Sussex County Council 54.923 1,492.02 56.684 1,544.04 Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner 7.359 199.91 7.890 214.91 East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service 3.517 95.53 3.577 97.43 Total Council Tax 77.710 2,111.04 80.370 2,189.22

Where does the money come from?

Use of reserves and Business Rates balances, interest £12.8m (21.3%) and other income, £0.1m (0.2%)

Government Grants £1.4m (2.4%)

Council Tax, Government £8m (13.4%) reimbursement of Benefits expenditure, £29.5m (49.3%)

Sales, fees, charges and rents, £8m (13.4%) Total £59.8m

Where does the money go?

Tourism £0.6m (1%) Corporate Services Housing Benefits £0.5m (0.8%) £29.5m (49.3%) Business Rates Tariff and Reserves £10.2m (17.1%)

Waste & Recycling £5.2m (8.7%)

Regeneration Property, & Planning £5.2m Homes First (8.7%) Total £59.8m Customer First £2.4m (4.0%) £6.2m (10.4%)

Your total Council Tax bill A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

Barcombe 1,402.40 1,636.14 1,869.87 2,103.61 2,571.08 3,038.55 3,506.01 4,207.22 and 1,410.21 1,645.26 1,880.29 2,115.33 2,585.40 3,055.48 3,525.54 4,230.66

Chailey 1,404.89 1,639.05 1,873.19 2,107.35 2,575.65 3,043.95 3,512.24 4,214.70

Ditchling 1,428.21 1,666.25 1,904.28 2,142.32 2,618.39 3,094.46 3,570.53 4,284.64

East Chiltington 1,394.82 1,627.30 1,859.76 2,092.24 2,557.18 3,022.13 3,487.06 4,184.48

Falmer 1,373.97 1,602.97 1,831.96 2,060.96 2,518.95 2,976.94 3,434.93 4,121.92

Firle 1,422.55 1,659.64 1,896.73 2,133.83 2,608.02 3,082.20 3,556.38 4,267.66

Hamsey 1,413.23 1,648.78 1,884.31 2,119.86 2,590.94 3,062.02 3,533.09 4,239.72

Iford 1,370.82 1,599.30 1,827.76 2,056.24 2,513.18 2,970.13 3,427.06 4,112.48

Kingston 1,448.09 1,689.44 1,930.79 2,172.14 2,654.84 3,137.54 3,620.23 4,344.28

Lewes 1,539.39 1,795.97 2,052.53 2,309.10 2,822.23 3,335.37 3,848.49 4,618.20

Newhaven 1,490.71 1,739.17 1,987.62 2,236.08 2,732.99 3,229.90 3,726.79 4,472.16

Newick 1,410.25 1,645.29 1,880.33 2,115.38 2,585.47 3,055.55 3,525.63 4,230.76

Peacehaven 1,463.60 1,707.54 1,951.47 2,195.41 2,683.28 3,171.15 3,659.01 4,390.82

Piddinghoe 1,425.65 1,663.26 1,900.87 2,138.48 2,613.70 3,088.92 3,564.13 4,276.96

Plumpton 1,431.35 1,669.92 1,908.47 2,147.04 2,624.16 3,101.28 3,578.39 4,294.08

Ringmer 1,416.91 1,653.07 1,889.22 2,125.38 2,597.69 3,070.00 3,542.29 4,250.76

Rodmell 1,415.18 1,651.05 1,886.91 2,122.78 2,594.51 3,066.24 3,537.96 4,245.56

St Ann Without 1,368.97 1,597.13 1,825.29 2,053.46 2,509.79 2,966.11 3,422.43 4,106.92

St John Without 1,368.97 1,597.13 1,825.29 2,053.46 2,509.79 2,966.11 3,422.43 4,106.92

Seaford 1,442.66 1,683.11 1,923.55 2,164.00 2,644.89 3,125.78 3,606.66 4,328.00

Southease 1,368.97 1,597.13 1,825.29 2,053.46 2,509.79 2,966.11 3,422.43 4,106.92

South Heighton 1,401.45 1,635.04 1,868.61 2,102.19 2,569.34 3,036.50 3,503.64 4,204.38

Streat 1,407.75 1,642.39 1,877.01 2,111.64 2,580.89 3,050.15 3,519.39 4,223.28

Tarring Neville 1,368.97 1,597.13 1,825.29 2,053.46 2,509.79 2,966.11 3,422.43 4,106.92

Telscombe 1,450.65 1,692.44 1,934.21 2,175.99 2,659.54 3,143.10 3,626.64 4,351.98

Westmeston 1,423.47 1,660.73 1,897.97 2,135.22 2,609.71 3,084.21 3,558.69 4,270.44

Wivelsfield 1,425.70 1,663.32 1,900.94 2,138.56 2,613.80 3,089.03 3,564.26 4,277.12

Town and Parish Councils spending over £100,000 2020/21 2021/22 Lewes Town Council £ £ Administration and Civic Function 388,492 336,745 Town Hall, All Saints Centre and Malling Community Centre 514,216 593,184 Open Spaces and Allotments 213,609 271,080 Contribution to Reserves 262,200 202,500 Less: income and use of balances (164,688) (189,680) Precept 1,213,829 1,213,829

Newhaven Town Council £ £ Cemetery, Halls, Grounds and Community Services 169,177 207,819 Administration and Staff 299,274 307,419 Regeneration and Partnership 153,305 152,225 Less: income and use of balances (82,250) (127,345) Precept 539,506 540,118

Peacehaven Town Council £ £ Policy and Finance 177,820 150,500 Planning and Highways 18,261 23,579 Civic and Events 15,350 13,450 Leisure, Amenities and Environment 114,010 120,020 Administration and Staff 505,199 513,200 Less: income and use of balances (186,480) (180,044) Precept 644,160 640,705

Ringmer Town Council £ £ Gross expenditure 150,638 150,924 Less: income and use of balances (22,000) (22,000) Precept 128,638 130,924

Seaford Town Council £ £ Finance & General Purposes (includes grants) 608,684 563,150 Community Services 1,053,905 834,100 Golf Course 1,174,660 1,033,670 Contribution to Reserves 25,000 105,400 Less: income and use of balances (1,990,226) (1,552,170) Precept 872,023 984,150

Telscombe Town Council £ £ Policy and Resources 173,835 180,620 Amenities 53,600 46,500 Civic Centre 42,080 41,500 Planning and Highways 18,000 15,300 Less: income and use of balances (47,572) (35,187) Precept 239,943 248,733

Wivelsfield Town Council £ £ Gross expenditure 83,787 101,728 Less: income and use of balances 0 (570) Precept 83,787 101,158

Special Expenses for the cost of parks and open spaces

2020/21 2021/22 2020/21 2021/22 cost per cost per Special Special Band D Band D Expenses Expenses property property Local area £ £ £ £ 1,120 1,270 0.86 1.14 Lewes 344,430 340,114 56.12 55.95 Newhaven 134,940 135,210 36.53 36.56 Peacehaven 41,100 41,360 8.56 8.61 Ringmer 4,410 4,520 2.35 2.40 Seaford 58,590 61,350 6.17 6.49 Telscombe 57,720 56,790 22.78 22.78 Total 642,310 640,614

Statement of budget changes in estimated expenditure between 2020/21 and 2021/22

£m 2020/21 Net Budget to be funded from Council Tax 7.713 Pay and Price increases 0.384 Increases in Service costs or reductions in Service income 2.562 Increases in Service income or reductions in Service costs (2.288) Sub-total 8.371 Changes in Government Grant and Business Rates funding 0.267 Changes in use of reserves, balances and one-off items (0.243) Change in Council Tax/Business Rates returned from previous years (0.519) 2021/22 Net Budget to be funded from Council Tax 7.876

Capital Programme 2021/22

Regeneration, Commercial Property acquistion and £14.5m development, £1.5m Local Energy Schemes, £3.0m Improving Renewing and replacing privately owned Council assets, £2.5m housing, £3.7m Community Infrastructure, £0.9m Flood Protection measures, £0.4m

Transformation / Recovery & Reset, Investment in Council-owned £0.6m Total £50.9m homes, £23.8m

Council Tax Explanatory Notes Self-service The self-service portal is available to all residents. You may find this service useful as it enables you to access information about your Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Business rates and landlord information, all in one place.

Registering for this service is straightforward and should only take a few minutes. Please visit our website at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/self-service/ to sign up.

Who must pay Council Tax? Adults aged 18 and over who live in a property will usually pay the Council Tax bill. People who are married, civil partners or living together as partners are jointly liable. Also, people who jointly own or rent a property are equally liable. If you live in your home alone you can normally claim a discount.

Council Tax Discounts Discounts can usually be claimed when:

• You are living on your own in a property and it is your main home - 25% single occupancy discount

The following people are disregarded when calculating discounts:

• Full-time students, (and certain non UK spouses/dependants), student nurses, apprentices, and youth training trainees and foreign language assistants. • People who are severely mentally impaired and are entitled to a qualifying benefit. • 18 and 19 year olds who are at or who have just left school or college. • Care workers working for low pay, usually for charities. • People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner, or child under 18 years old (and who are entitled to a qualifying benefit). • Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions. • Members of religious communities (monks and nuns). • People who are in prison or detention (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine). • Diplomats and their non-British spouses.

Council Tax Exemptions Council Tax is not payable on some properties. Your bill will show if an exemption has been applied to your account. The different classes of exemption are:

Class B Unoccupied property owned and previously occupied by a charity. Class D Unoccupied property where the liable person is in prison or detention. Class E Unoccupied property where the liable person permanently resides in a rest home, nursing home or hospital. Class F Unoccupied property where the liable person is deceased and probate has not been granted, or for up to six months after probate has been granted Class G Unoccupied property where occupation is prohibited by law. Class H Unoccupied property waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion, where he or she would carry out the duties of his or her office. Class I Unoccupied property where the liable person is receiving care elsewhere (not a hospital or care home). Class J Unoccupied property where the liable person is giving care to a person elsewhere. Class K Unoccupied property where the person who is liable to pay the Council Tax is a student and living elsewhere to study. Class L Unoccupied property where a mortgagee is in possession. Class M Student halls of residence. Class N Property occupied solely by full time students undertaking a qualifying course or study. Class O Armed forces accommodation. Class P Visiting forces accommodation. Class Q Unoccupied property where the liable person is a trustee in bankruptcy. Class R Property consisting of a pitch or a mooring which is not occupied by a caravan or, as the case may be, a boat. Class S Property occupied solely by people less than 18 years of age. Class T Unoccupied property which forms part of another property but cannot be let separately (e.g. a granny annexe). Class U Property occupied solely by persons who are severely mentally impaired and entitled to a qualifying benefit. Class V Property where the liable person is a diplomat. Class W Property occupied by an elderly or disabled dependant relative, which is part of another property (e.g. a granny annexe).

Disabled Band Reduction A property may be eligible for a Disabled Band Reduction if a disabled resident has an extra room to meet the needs of their disability or if a wheelchair needs to be used indoors.

Council Tax Property Discounts Council Tax is discounted on some properties. Your bill will show if a discount has been applied. Examples are:

Unoccupied and Unfurnished Properties As of the 1st of April 2020, there is no discount available for an empty and unfurnished property and a full Council Tax charge will apply.

Uninhabitable Properties A 50% discount may be awarded for a maximum period of up to 12 months if an empty and unfurnished property requires, or is undergoing, major repair work or extensive structural alteration to render it habitable. An inspection of the property may be required. A full Council Tax charge applies when the discount has ended. This type of discount is property related and a change in liable party will not result in any new period of discount entitlement if the discount has previously been used.

If your property is derelict or undergoing conversion (e.g. a house being converted to flats) the may consider removing it from the Council Tax listing. Please contact them for further advice.

Second/Holiday Homes Lewes District Council does not award a discount for second/holiday homes. You may be entitled to a 50% discount if by the contract of your employment you are required to live in a property provided by your employer and you pay a full Council Tax charge elsewhere e.g. a publican who has to live above the premises or a school caretaker who is required to live in accommodation provided by the school.

Annexes You may be eligible for a 50% discount if you use your annexe as part of your main property or if a relative of the person who is liable for Council Tax on the main property is living in it.

Long Term Empty Properties Lewes District Council will increase the Council Tax charge to 150% for unfurnished properties that have been empty for 2 or more years (Please note that annexes and those in the armed forces will not be affected by this increase).

Council Tax Reduction Scheme In general, to be entitled to receive a Council Tax Reduction you will need to be in receipt of a low income whether from full/part-time employment or from other state benefits (such as Income Support) and have less than £16,000 in savings. Your income and savings and those of any partner will be counted when assessing entitlement. If you have another adult living with you, this might affect the amount of reduction you get.

Important Information The information in these explanatory notes is for guidance only. If you think you may be eligible for a discount or exemption, please visit our website or contact us for further information or to make an application. Contact points are at the bottom of this page. Please note that an inspection of a property may be necessary before an exemption or discount can be considered.

If you have been awarded a discount, exemption or reduction on your Council Tax bill, you must by law, inform the Council within 21 days of any change of circumstances which may affect your entitlement e.g. a child turning 18, a student ceasing to attend college or a property becoming occupied.

Payment by Direct Debit Most people pay their Council Tax by monthly Direct Debit. It is safe, convenient and straightforward. Customers who pay by Direct Debit have the choice of four different payment dates, unlike other payment methods – 1st, 7th, 15th or 25th of the month. Direct Debit is the most cost effective way to pay, which means we can provide better services and facilities for our residents.

If you want to pay by Direct Debit, please complete the mandate enclosed with your bill or visit our website at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/payments/

Payment by Monthly Instalments Council Tax is usually paid over 10 monthly statutory instalments; however, Lewes District Council offers payment over a maximum of 12 monthly instalments. If you wish to take advantage of this, please contact us. Please note the number of instalments reduces for bills issued during the course of the year.

Unable to Pay Your Council Tax If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax, or you receive a recovery notice e.g. a Final Notice or Court Summons, then please contact us as soon as possible for advice on 01273 471600. For further advice and guidance regarding money and debt please visit our website at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/moneyhelp

How to Appeal Against Decisions You have the right to appeal to the Valuation Office Agency if you believe your property is not in the correct Council Tax band (see below for contact details). You have the right to appeal to the council if you believe you are not liable to pay Council Tax. Please note that you must continue to pay your Council Tax on time whilst an appeal is being considered. If you are successful, you will be given a refund of overpaid tax.

Contact Points Lewes District Council Customer First Southover Road Lewes BN7 1AB Website: www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01273 471600

Valuation Office Agency Website: www.gov.uk/contact-voa

Information on Council Spending You may find detailed information on Council spending plans by visiting our website at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/spending-and-performance/

Exceptional Hardship Scheme The Council has an Exceptional Hardship Scheme available to those who qualify for a local reduction but are suffering exceptional hardship. The application form is available on the Council’s website www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/council- tax/council-tax-exceptional-hardship-payments/ or from the Council offices

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Letting us know about local authority fraud saves you money

Call 0800 731 7039 to report a fraud against your local authority or visit www.focusonfraud.co.uk