Council Tax FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has my cash payment date changed from the 15th to 1st?

Nearly all Local Authorities in Derbyshire have a payment date of the 1st of the month. It is best practice and recommended by Auditors to collect instalments on the 1st of the month. This ensures that cash flow is maintained by Erewash Borough Council and to assist with improving collection rates. A report prepared by the Operational Research Unit for the Local Government Finance division of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister (now the Department for Communities and Local Government) recommended that on annual billing, the default instalment date is the first of the month from April.

Why can I not pay over 12 months?

The right to pay by instalments is prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 S.I. 613/1992 (as amended). This legislation states that the statutory instalments for the payment of Council Tax is 10 monthly instalments where the Demand Notice is issued before 30 April. Between 1 May and 31 December, the number of instalments applicable is the number of whole months less one. After 31 December it is a single payment, payable on a day at least 14 days after the notice.

There are also non-statutory instalment schemes available allowing fortnightly or half yearly payments.

Do I need to cancel my Direct Debit after the last instalment has been paid?

No, Direct Debits will remain dormant until reactivated when the first instalment is due in April.

I am on a low income, am I entitled to a reduction of my council tax bill?

Council Tax Benefit is calculated using income received (means tested). The Benefits Section is able to give a manual calculation to see whether any entitlement is available. All income is assessed on a weekly basis. If you or your partner have earned income, deductions are made for tax, national insurance and half of any pension contributions made.

Certain categories of income are disregarded in whole or in part. These disregards have the effect of increasing entitlement to benefit by reducing the assessed income on which benefit is calculated. £16,000 is the capital limit for applications.

All persons over 18 years of age resident as part of the family are assumed to make a contribution to housing costs and therefore a deduction, known as a non dependant is made from possible entitlement.
The maximum entitlement to Council Tax Benefit is 100% of the Council Tax after any reliefs or discounts have been granted. Please contact our Benefits Team for further information, by telephoning 0115 907 1010.

I am a pensioner, am I entitled to a reduction of my council tax bill?

There is no direct reduction for being over the age of 60, however, you may be entitled to Council Tax Benefit and the Benefit Section is able to give a manual calculation to see whether any entitlement is available. Please contact our benefits team for further information, by telephoning 0115 907 1010.

Why have I received a bill when I receive full Council Tax Benefit?

There may have been changes to your circumstances that have affected the amount of benefit that is paid to you, please contact the Benefits Section by telephone: 0115 907 1010 or E-mail - benefits@erewash.gov.uk

Why is my neighbour paying a different amount?

There are many reasons why they may be paying more/less. Some of the reasons may be because the property is in a different band, a Discount/Relief granted, an Occupied Exemption has been granted, a person is in receipt of Council Tax Benefit, the dwelling is in a different Parish or the Taxpayer has moved in (or out) part way through the year (the Council Tax charge is calculated on a daily basis).

What is being done about the people who do not pay?

Residents can be assured that we are diligently collecting arrears from Debtors and have recently taken proceedings in the Magistrates' Court for committal to prison for non-payment of Council Tax and Business Rates. Erewash Borough Council also takes other enforcement actions, including applying for Bankruptcy Orders against individuals or Winding Up Orders for Limited Companies and Charging Orders (where a claim can be made against a person's asset e.g. their home) in appropriate cases. Bailiffs continue to be instructed to collect arrears that are outstanding and the Council has several hundred Orders for Deduction from Earnings and Benefits.

Why do I pay for services I never use?

Council Tax is a tax much like income tax and VAT and not a charge for different services. Whether someone benefits from council services depends very much on the personal circumstances of those individuals concerned. Therefore, not everyone will benefit from all the services available.

The only service I receive is the collection of my bins?

The annual cost of waste collection per household is £47.28 in the Erewash Borough Council area, so it is a small percentage of the overall Council Tax charge. For example, a Band A property in Ilkeston, the Council Tax for 2010/11 is £982.70 and the cost of bin collection is £47.28, which is 4.8% of the charge. For a band H dwelling, the annual charge is £2948.08 for Ilkeston, which works out at 1.6% of the total amount payable.

I live on an un-adopted road. Am I entitled to a reduction of my council tax bill?

Council tax is a tax, much like income tax and VAT and not a charge for different services.

Therefore there will be no reduction in your council tax bill to reflect the fact that you live on an unadopted road. However, this would have been taken into account when your property was valued and the valuation band adjusted accordingly.

What is the valuation band of my property?

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is part of the Inland Revenue, decides the Band that is included on your Bill. Erewash Borough Council has no influence over which band your property is in.
The VOA website is: www.voa.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

Their address is: The Listing Officer, Valuation Office Agency, 4th Floor, St Peter’s House, Gower Street, Derby DE11JJ. Tel: 01332 710800.

Why are there no police patrolling the streets in the area where I live?

The council is not responsible for the Police Authority and has no influence over their priorities.

Issues relating to the Police should be addressed directly to the Police Authority.

The contact details are:

Derbyshire Police Authority
Force Headquarters
Butterley Hall
Ripley
DE5 3RS
Tel: 01773 570100

How helpful was this page?