A GUIDE TO YOUR COUNCIL TAX 2020 - 2021 Contact us

WEBSITE: Contents www.braintree.gov.uk 5 News from the district EMAIL: [email protected] A Campus for the Future at 6 Join the plastic pledge TELEPHONE: Institute’s Braintree Campus 01376 552525 9 Your guide to Council Tax Colchester Institute has officially launched Current students have already been enjoying POST: its all-new Braintree Campus, now that the these new facilities in the £5m Learning and 14 Parish and town councils final building – The Learning and Technology Technology Centre since its completion and Council, Centre is complete. These new facilities are it has received superb feedback since its Causeway House, aimed at equipping students, Apprentices opening from visitors, staff and students. Braintree, CM7 9HB 15 Easy ways to pay and adult learners with the essential skills and experience they need for jobs that Level 3 Film and Television student, Heather Connect with Braintree District Council will be waiting for them in industry. Hamilton said: “The Media Lab is our place 16 Visit Braintree District and we get to use a lot of equipment. We have Follow us @BraintreeDC Students local to Braintree will have a range of cameras and a brand-new studio access to state-of-the-art technology on where we can film whatever we like. There Follow us @BraintreeDC their doorstep that the area has never seen are plenty of computers to do extra work and before, giving them the opportunity for the environment is very welcoming – I would first-class training that can best-prepare definitely recommend studying here if Media them for a rewarding career in their is your passion.” REPORT FRAUD NOW chosen industry. Useful contacts 08000 740405 For more information on the courses and BILLING ENQUIRIES Braintree Campus now boasts high-quality Apprenticeships available at the Braintree 01376 557755 [email protected] workshops, flexible learning spaces, Campus at Colchester Institute, please visit: computer suites, wood workshops and colchester.ac.uk/braintree or [email protected] CAD suites. Media studios include the new Media Lab, which is home to an In April, the Braintree Campus is opening its LATE-PAYMENT ENQUIRIES Data Protection Statement: impressive industry-standard TV studio. doors to the local community by inviting 01376 557722 The Council may share information A new Student Hub incorporating the local residents to have a look around during or [email protected] internally and with other agencies library and the new River Kitchen have its Open Event alongside potential students to carry out its statutory functions been created in the existing STEM on Thursday 23rd April 2020, 5pm-7pm. COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT ENQUIRIES Innovation building to improve the To register to attend this event, visit: efficiently. student experience. colchester.ac.uk/event 01376 557852 Braintree District Council has or [email protected] a duty to protect the public funds it administers, so we may use OUR 24/7 AUTOMATED PAYMENT LINE information you provide for the 01376 557894 prevention and detection of fraud. Information may also be shared with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for If you require this leaflet these purposes. in an alternative format, More information can be found on www.braintree.gov.uk/privacy please call 01376 557755 Better Careers Begin Here 3 Local solutions Significant investment to global issues for the Braintree District Like most councils, Braintree District Council has declared Braintree’s Essex a climate emergency and aims Braintree District Council will invest • Resurfacing of the artificial grass pitch and improvements to the athletic to make its activities, as far as Energy Switch more than £40 million for projects such as the Manor Street redevelopment, track at Braintree Sports & Health Club. possible, carbon neutral by 2030 The scheme is delivered by the Council The pitch and the track are regularly used Horizon 120 Business & Innovation for schools district sports days as well as and iChoosr, an independent specialist provider in collective buying schemes. Park and I-Construct. regional athletic and football competitions. Braintree District Council has already: Register from 1st April – 18th May The investment is all part of the • Invested £640,000 in solar panels on Council’s Health, Homes, Journeys Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree council properties reducing energy costs Auction on 19th May Closure on 30th June and Jobs agenda and will unlock District Council, said: “We’re investing and producing an income and savings of in what matters to our residents. From £100,000 each year. more opportunities for residents Find out more at www.braintree.gov. and businesses. smaller community projects, better play • Saved 858 tonnes of CO2 in business uk/essexenergyswitch or call the areas and sports facilities keeping our travel since 2015. iChoosr helpline on 0800 048 8285 young people away from screens to taking • Since 2005, we have reduced our New capital projects include: on some of the big issues such as climate change, being a place where innovative electricity and gas usage saving a total • Pedestrianisation of Braintree Town businesses can thrive and homes for our of 1,912 tonnes of CO2. Centre to create a safe, flexible and social Solar Together young people.” • Enabled more than 150,000 residents space which will draw people in and keep them entertained for longer generating to save £705,000 over the last 5 years Essex more trade for shops and businesses. through its energy switching scheme. Solar Together is a group buying It will also unlock much-needed scheme, delivered by iChoosr which gives • Encouraged residents to reduce, reuse improvements to the condition of the Investment you the opportunity to buy high quality and recycle their waste. current road and pavements. solar panels at a highly competitive price. in much loved • Supported residents to install more than Register from 23rd March 2020 • Refurbishments to play areas in ancient monument 8,700 energy saving measures since 2014 Auction on 27th April 2020 , , Braintree and in Notley Green. The much-loved grade 1 listed directly resulting in the saving of over 1000 Closure 27th June 2020 tonnes of C02. Bocking Windmill will receive a £58,000 • Protection of a number of open spaces Find out more at investment over the next six years for Keep up to date with our work by signing in Braintree and Witham from www.solartogether.co.uk much needed repairs to the steps, sails, up to our Environment, Refuse, Recycling unauthorised encampments. or call 0800 048 8639 windows and body of the mill. emails www.braintree.gov.uk/tellmemore • The creation of a footpath linking The windmill, owned by Braintree Albert Moss car park to the Village Hall in District Council and cared for by the Rivenhall and playing fields which will volunteer group Friends of Bocking Save money at home on your energy bills make it much more accessible for all. Windmill, opens its doors to the public for a number of days throughout • Creation of gardens of remembrance Contact the Sustainability Team the summer months. on 01376 552525 or email within some of Braintree District Council’s [email protected] for cemeteries. impartial advice and information on saving • CCTV upgrades in Braintree and energy and water and available funding towns.

4 5 SCIENCE MAY HALF TERM 26 – 29 MAY Big Science Day Tuesday 26 May 10am – 4pm Science Crafts Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 May 10.30am – 12.00 Toddler Time Wednesday 27 May 10.30am – 11.30am Admission applies

EXHIBITION Space: Fact and Fiction July to December 2020 Admission applies

SPACE SUMMER HOLIDAYS 28 July – 28 August 2020 Join us at Space, science and sci-fi inspired crafts Braintree Admission applies HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Hidden Nature; The Sciences Museum of John Ray HANDS UP IF YOU’RE SAYING NO to celebrate a year of science with Saturday 12 September our action packed programme! Saturday 19 September TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC... Free admission Activities and trails exploring the fascinating works by the ‘father of natural history’ John Ray.

SCI-FI OCTOBER HALF TERM 27 – 30 October Sci-fi and Science Day Tuesday 27 October ...JOIN US AND TAKE THE ESSEX PLASTIC PLEDGE AT Crafts www.braintreemuseum.co.uk Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 October Toddler Time 01376 328868 loveessex.org/plasticpledge Wednesday 28 October museumbraintree Admission applies 6 7

your guide to your Council Tax We’re How your Council Tax is shared 72.5% 10.9% Essex County hiring Braintree District Council Council collects the Council Tax on behalf of the District Council, 10.1% Braintree District Council Essex County Council, Essex Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (Responsible 4% for Policing and Community Essex Fire & Rescue Authority Safety and Essex Fire & Rescue Authority) and the Parish and Town 2.5% Councils in the district. Parish or Town Councils

Our part of the Council Tax bill explained…

Did you know that just 10p in every pound of Council Tax you pay goes to fund the services Braintree District Council provides? Although you pay it all to Braintree District Council, most of it goes to fund other services – emergency services like police and fire, Essex County Council and even your local Town or Parish Council.

So what does that 10p in every pound pay for? It pays for things such as waste collection and recycling, street cleaning, planning, leisure centres, economic development, running elections,housing, environmental health, emergency planning, parks and open spaces, cemeteries, car parking, markets and more. 8 9 Braintree District Council spending plan What is Council Tax? Comparison of figures for 2020/21 with 2019/20 Council Tax is a tax on homes collected by your local council to pay for local services.

lanning £813,000 Local Plan, Planning Enforcement, Valuation Value of property on Braintree Essex County Essex Police Essex Fire Landscape Services £1.179 million 2020/21 £15.226m band 1 April 1991 District tax rate * tax rate & Rescue omes £924,000 Total net service tax rate tax rate expenditure A ordable Housing,lanning Homelessness, £813,000 £890,000 Local Plan, Planning Enforcement,Welfare Reform A Up to £40,000 £123.12 £880.74 £132.42 £49.26 Landscape Services £1.179 million ealth ellbeing B £40,001 to £52,000 £143.64 £1027.53 £154.49 £57.47 £40,000 2019/20 Leisure Centres, Livewellomes Programme, £924,000 £14.540m A ordableHealth Housing, Improvement Homelessness, & Partnerships £13,000 C £52,001 to £68,000 £164.16 £1174.32 £176.56 £65.68 £890,000 Total net service Welfare Reform expenditure D £68,001 to £88,000 £184.68 £1321.11 £198.63 £73.89 inance erformance £3.855 million ealth ellbeingManagement £40,000 E £88,001 to £120,000 £225.72 £1614.69 £242.77 £90.31 LeisureLocal Centres, Tax Collection,Livewell Pr ogramme,Financial & Treasury £3.650 million Health ImprovementManagement, & Partnerships Customer Services £13,000 F £120,001 to £160,000 £266.76 £1908.27 £286.91 £106.73 Environment lace G £160,001 to £320,000 £307.80 £2201.85 £331.05 £123.15 inance erformance £7.135million Waste Collection, Recycling, £3.855 million Street CleansingManagement & Litter Control, Parks, £6.478 million H Over £320,000 £369.36 £2642.22 £397.26 £147.78 Local TaxCar Collection, Parks, Climate Financial Change & Tr easury& Sustainability £3.650 million Management, Customer Services Corporate ransformation -£384,000 * Includes an amount for Adult Social Care. Find out more at www.essex.gov.uk Environment Property Portfolio, Strategic lace Investment £7.135million WasteProgramme, Collection, IC ReT &cy Digitalcling, Strategy -£333,000 Street Cleansing & Litter Control, Parks, 2020/21 If you think your home should be in a different valuation band, please email The Valuation Office Agency £6.478 million Car Parks, Climate Change & Sustainability at [email protected] or phone 03000 501501. Communities Culture ourism £492,000 2019/20 Corporate r Communityansformation Facilities & Support, -£384,000 ProperCommunityty Portfolio Tr, Strategicansport, Tourism Investment and Heritage £487,000 Programme, ICT & Digital Strategy -£333,000 2020/21 Economic evelopment £219,000 Who pays Council Tax? What is Local Council Communities Culture ourismnfrastructure £492,000 2019/20 CommunityEconomic Facilities Development, & Support, Business £198,000 Community Transport, TourismEngagement and Heritage & Support At least one person in each household is £487,000 Tax Support? responsible for paying Council Tax, whether £2.132 million Economic evelopmentverall ision If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax Strategic irection £219,000 they own the home or rent it. nfrastructure £1.978 million Economic Development, Corporate Business & Democratic £198,000 bill due to a low income, you may be entitled EngagementManagement, & Support Governance In most cases the person (or people) aged - £1m £2m £3m £4m £5m £6m £7m £8m 18 or over who will be responsible for paying to help through the Local Council Tax Support. £2.132 million verall ision Council Tax are: Strategic irection Call the Benefits Team on01376 557852 Corporate & Democratic £1.978 million Management, Governance • owner-occupiers or visit www.braintree.gov.uk for more details. - £1m £2m £3m £4m £5m £6m £7m £8m Braintree District Council income • leaseholders If you would like to apply and are of state £10.012 million Council axpayers • people who pay rent pension age, you can also contact the Comparison of figures for 2020/21 with 2019/20 2020/21 £9.554 million Pension Service on and How the net service expenditure is funded £15.226m • people who have a licence to occupy, 0845 6060265 Total funding they will assist you. £5.192 million such as people who live in tied cottages Business Ratepayers £10.012 million Council axpayers £4.964 million (housing relating to their work) Apply for Council Tax Support online. £9.554 million 2019/202020/21 • people such as squatters, who live in the Central overnment £22,000 £14.540m rant £5.192 million Total2019/20 funding property but have no legal interest in it Business Ratepayers £22,000 (that is, they don’t own or rent it) £4.964 million £2m £4m £6m £8m £10m £12m2020/21 • people who own the property but don’t do it online Central overnment £22,000 live in it. www.braintree.gov.uk rant £22,000 2019/20 People living together such as tenants, £2m £4m £6m £8m £10m £12m married people or civil partners can be jointly or separately responsible for the whole The net spending plan above includes income from fees and charges £6.11m, Council Tax for their property. rental income £3.48m, interest and dividends £1.09m. The spending plan for Corporate Transformation shows a net income position. 10 A guide to your Council Tax 2020/21 11 There are currently 200 properties across our Challenging Local Council Mine is a second home, district which have been unoccupied for 2 People with disabilities Tax Support decisions am I exempt? years or more. Therefore, to encourage home You may be entitled to pay less Council Tax If you have applied for Local Council Tax If your property is furnished and no-one lives owners to bring these properties back into if you or someone who lives with you has a Support and you disagree with the decision, there as their main home, a full charge is applied. use, there is a Council Tax premium charged room or extra space, or an extra bathroom or write to us stating the grounds on which you on long term empty homes. From 1st April kitchen, or uses a wheelchair in your property, to meet special needs relating to a disability. are aggrieved. Exempt properties 2020 the premium will be 100% for properties left empty between 2 and 5 years and 200% If we cannot resolve your grievance within Council Tax is not payable on ‘exempt properties’. This means that if you have a disability you for properties left empty for 5+ years. 2 months, you may appeal to the Valuation These include properties lived in only by might not have to pay more Council Tax for From 1st April 2021 the premium for Office Tribunal. students, people who have a severe mental the extra space you need. properties empty for 10+ years will be 300%. difficulty or people aged under 18. You cannot withhold payment of your Council For more details, please visit Tax while the matter is investigated/under www.braintree.gov.uk/emptyhomes appeal. Empty properties are exempt if they: We have an annexe, • are owned by a charity (exempt for up to do we get a discount? six months) I live on my own, am I am having difficulty • are left empty by someone who is in prison A Council Tax discount of 50% is available for property annexes. • are left empty by someone who has moved I entitled to a discount? paying, what can I do? It applies for people living in annexes to give someone else personal care, or Your Council Tax bill assumes two adults are We are here to help you. providing they are related to the person liable has moved to receive personal care living in your household. Contact us as soon as possible on to pay the Council Tax of the main dwelling. 01376 • are waiting for probate or letters of If you are the only adult living there (as your www.braintree.gov.uk/annexediscount 557722 or email [email protected] administration to be granted (after main home) we will reduce your bill by 25%. We only send two reminders in the year. someone has died) and for up to six months When we look at the number of adults living in Following that, should the bill remain unpaid, a after the probate or letters are granted a property, we need to know about: summons and possibly a liability order will be I don’t think my bill is • have been repossessed • full-time students, student nurses, issued which will incur additional costs being • are the responsibility of a trustee on behalf apprentices and youth trainees correct added to your account. of someone who is bankrupt • people who live in hospital You can appeal to us if you think you should pay less Council Tax, or none at all, for • are owned or leased by foreign diplomats • people who are being looked after in care example, because: I think my property should • have no-one allowed to live in them by law, homes or • people who are severely mentally disabled • you do not live in or own the property be exempt • are waiting to be lived in by a minister of • people staying in some hostels or night • you feel the property should be exempt If you think your property should be exempt religion. shelters • you believe we have made a mistake from Council Tax or you should pay a reduced Forces barracks and married quarters are • 18 and 19-year-olds who are at or have working out your bill. rate, please contact us. also exempt. People living there contribute to just left school If you appeal, you must continue to pay your the cost of local services through a special • care workers working for low pay (usually Council Tax until your appeal is decided. arrangement with us. I receive a discount but for a charity) If your appeal is successful, we will give you • people caring for someone with a disability back any Council Tax you have overpaid. my situation has now What is empty homes who is not their partner, or their child changed (a child is someone under 18) You must tell us within 21 days about anything premium? • members of visiting forces and some How do I pay my bill? international institutions that could affect an exemption or discount you The Government is keen to ensure that See all the different ways to pay on page 15. receive. If you fail to tell us in this timescale dwellings do not remain unoccupied or unused • diplomats and their husbands or wives you may be subject to a £70 penalty. for extensive periods. Unfortunately, it remains (who are not British) the case that nationally, a distressing number • monks and nuns, and Can I pay in instalments? of dwellings are being left empty at a time • people in prison (except people who are in Yes, see page 15. when there is an overall housing shortage. prison for not paying their Council Tax or a fine elatingr to their Council Tax).

12 A guide to your Council Tax 2020/21 A guide to your Council Tax 2020/21 13 What your Parish or Town Council receives The table below shows each Parish Council’s Council Tax requirement (how much they Paying your Council Tax need), based on a band­ D charge. Parish and Town Councils need extra money to pay for things like community centres, footpaths and extra street lighting. If the Parish or Town Council The easiest way to pay is online. raises more than £140,000 from its local taxpayers, it must publish information about its do it online Visit www.braintree.gov.uk spending plans. The spending plans for Parish, Halstead and Witham Town www.braintree.gov.uk/counciltax Councils can be found on our website www.braintree.gov.uk Direct Debit Payment by Standing Over 40,000 Council Tax payers in the Town Or Parish Band D Town Or Parish Band D Town Or Parish Band D Order/Bank Transfer Braintree District use Direct Debit to pay their Please ensure you quote our bank details: 20.65 Gestingthorpe 47.98 Rayne 52.75 bill each month. It is so easy to arrange, simply Sort Code 30-00-02, Account Number Ashen 31.88 61.56 87.55 call 01376 557755 and provide your bank 00825110. You will also need to quote your account number, sort code and Council Tax Council Tax account number which you will 12.63 73.40 Rivenhall 44.86 reference number which find on your latest bill, in the reference box. you will find on your latest 18.07 41.49 Shalford 62.12 Due date remains the first of each month. bill, and we will do the rest. 55.75 47.35 64.44 90.10 34.00 68.16 Debit/Credit Card payments Paying by instalments? 49.66 77.82 45.12 By default, Council Tax is payable in ten You can use the Council’s website to make monthly instalments starting on 1st April Parish meeting 24.22 36.39 69.37 a payment with your debit/credit card. and ending on 1st January. Bradwell 55.98 Halstead 47.02 50.78 Alternatively, you can also call our automated However, did you know that you can card line on 01376 557894 which is available request to spread your payments over Braintree 0.00 40.93 Sturmer 46.48 24 hours a day. twelve monthly instalments? These would Bulmer 37.59 84.52 54.39 be 1st April to 1st March. Just remember that you would lose the instalment free Bures Hamlet 91.88 86.44 71.00 Online banking period during February and March if you choose the twelve monthly option. If you 59.46 20.65 Juxta Clare 38.00 If you are making a payment using your bank’s website, please ensure you quote our bank would like to take up this option please call Coggeshall 93.44 Liston 44.96 79.08 details: Sort Code 30-00-02, Account Number 01376 557755. . You will also need to quote your 60.91 Little Henny 41.49 41.49 00825110 Council Tax account number which you will 62.50 37.72 Wethersfield 53.99 find on your latest bill, in the reference box. 83.26 38.00 56.24 PLEASE REMEMBER If you do not make payments by the due White Notley 56.32 Fairstead 54.39 Middleton 41.49 Payment at Post Offices dates, we will issue a reminder notice. Faulkbourne 56.32 Ovington 38.00 Wickham St Paul 88.47 or PayPoint outlets The maximum number of reminders you may receive in any financial year is two. 77.69 48.49 Witham 73.70 If you are unable to pay your Council Tax bill by any of the other options, and you have a If the second reminder remains unpaid, a summons will be issued and cost incurred. 63.95 51.29 barcode displayed on your bill, you may make 44.96 46.29 payments at any Post Office or Paypoint outlet. Problems paying? Remember, we are here to help you. Please contact us if you cannot pay your Council Tax. Do not wait until you are in debt as this makes it more difficult to sort the problem out.

14 A guide to your Council Tax 2020/21 A guide to your Council Tax 2020/21 15 EXTENDED GP HOURS To makeanappointment, You cannowget or NHS111outofhours an appointment with aGP, nurse normal businesshours you cancallyourown assistant inthe or healthcare GP practiceduring evening and on Saturday and Sunday Information correctattimeof print,February2020. in midEssex to Live Well We want everyone

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