Council tax - legal requirement for annual notification??

mrs_mum_3

Is there a date by which Councils should let us know what next years Council Tax will be.
I work for a council and was told at work that we had to set the budget by end Feb as we have a legal requirement to get bills out by 11th March this year.
My Council has still not notified us of the annual tax and monthly direct debit.
I have read in the local paper that it's not changing but should there be a date by which each householder should be informed.

I've had a search on this - here and google but can't find anything!

CIS

Off the top of my head I cant think of a date being set anywhere in legislation although that's not an area I have specific dealings with.

The Council tax (administration & enforcement) regulations 1992 state

Service of demand notices

19.—(1) The demand notice is to be served—
(a)on or as soon as practicable after the day the billing authority first sets an amount of council tax for the relevant year for the category of dwellings within which the chargeable dwelling to which the notice relates falls; and
(b)where it requires the payment of instalments, at least 14 days before the day on which the first instalment is due under it.
(2) In this regulation, “category”, in relation to a dwelling, shall be construed in accordance with section 30(4) of the Act.

They need to issue demand notice no later than 14 days before the first payment (note that is 'issue' not ensure you receive it) is due so you will no doubt receive it shortly. Most councils stagger the billing due to the volumes.

Rochdale_Guy

I was wondering the exact same thing today!

I have already had notification of my new flat rent amount from the local Council (going up £26 a month - thanks for nothing) but nothing yet on Council Tax...... bet that will go up too for 2012-13 :mad:

Because I changed my bank (as I'm on a DMP), they didn't take last months payment out but have instead (with forewarning me), taken out last months and this months TODAY by direct debit.

So, nothing owing on the 2011/12 year :j

... but dreading the next years total

paddedjohn

Mines going down:rotfl:

Freecall

paddedjohn wrote: »

Mines going down:rotfl:

Better cover our heads before the explosion then!;)

Yorkie1

Mine arrived today

Rochdale_Guy

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Mine arrived today

Has it gone UP or DOWN please?

Stephen_Leak

My printed bill arrived in the post today, but I got an e-mail advising me that it was available online a couple of days ago.

The bit for the fire & rescue service was up by 4%, so up 0.2% overall.

The first Direct Debit instalment will be taken on, or immediately after, 1 April.

My council gives so much warning time under the Direct Debit guarantee, that any changes or problems (like not applying my single adult discount last year) always makes them miss a month.

PS. I will have to make a point of going out more at night, to get my money's worth from the street lighting.

Rochdale_Guy

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

My printed bill arrived in the post today, but I got an e-mail advising me that it was available online a couple of days ago.

The bit for the fire & rescue service was up by 4%, so up 0.2% overall.

The first Direct Debit instalment will be taken on, or immediately after, 1 April.

My council gives so much warning time under the Direct Debit guarantee, that any changes or problems (like not applying my single adult discount last year) always makes them miss a month.

PS. I will have to make a point of going out more at night, to get my money's worth from the street lighting.

2 weeks notice? :mad:

How about letting you choose your preferred Direct Debit date then?

Stephen_Leak

TalkTalk only give 3 working days notice. BTW, there is no set figure under the DD guarantee, the firm can choose whatever they like.

It would be nice to move it away from the first of the month, in case there is ever any problem with my pension, which is due on the last working day of the month. I can't recall being given the option, but I'll check. If it's set in stone, I'll just have to ensure that I keep enough in the account to cover it.

Yorkie1

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

Has it gone UP or DOWN please?

Overall it's gone up 2.33% (council tax element 2.9%, fire & police no increase).