On 15th February I voted with my fellow North Somerset Councillors to approve a 2.99% increase in council tax. With inflation currently at 5.4% this represents a real terms fall in what you have to pay. Although this is a small increase, putting up any tax is always a difficult decision, particularly at the moment with concerns over a 'cost of living crisis'. This increase will ensure we can protect frontline services and invest for our future.
The average Council tax bill in North Somerset for a band D property will rise from £1900.21 to £1,959.05. Of this North Somerset Council receives £1,550.03 with the balance being paid to Avon and Somerset Police (£251.20), Avon Fire Authority (£77.95), and Parish Councils (on average £79.87).
The majority of people pay their Council Tax by direct debit in 10 equal monthly instalments. If you are one of these people then the monthly bill for a band D property will rise by £5.82 for Long Ashton Parish or £5.77 for residents of Wraxall and Failand.
The rise in percentage terms is the same as all other councils around us (Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucs) which means ours remains the lowest in the region and is hundreds of pounds a year lower than Bristol.
It is well known that your council tax bill is even lower if you are the only adult in your property as you receive a 25% discount. However, there are a number of other ways of getting a discount. There is more information on the councils website.
If you have little or no income and are of working age then the Council Tax Support Scheme could mean you are entitled to as much as a 72.5% reduction to your bill. The scheme provides 100% protection for pensioners. There is more information on the councils website.
Ignoring any discounts you may be due, everyone's Council Tax bill will vary depending on the 'banding' of their home and the Parish they live in. I have produced two tables below covering the two Parishes I represent.
I have also detailed the amount that is collected on behalf of the local Fire Authority as well as Avon and Somerset Police. These amounts are not set by North Somerset Council.
| COUNCIL TAX BAND | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Somerset Council | 1,032.78 | 1,204.91 | 1,377.03 | 1,549.16 | 1,893.41 | 2,237.67 | 2,581.94 | 3,098.32 |
| Avon and Somerset Police | 167.47 | 195.38 | 223.29 | 251.20 | 307.02 | 362.84 | 418.67 | 502.40 |
| Fire Authority | 51.97 | 60.63 | 69.29 | 77.95 | 95.27 | 112.59 | 129.92 | 155.90 |
| Long Ashton Parish Council | 46.74 | 54.54 | 62.33 | 70.12 | 85.70 | 101.28 | 116.87 | 140.24 |
| TOTAL | 1,298.96 | 1,515.46 | 1,731.94 | 1,948.43 | 2,381.40 | 2,814.39 | 3,247.39 | 3,896.86 |
| COUNCIL TAX BAND | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Somerset Council | 1,032.78 | 1,204.91 | 1,377.03 | 1,549.16 | 1,893.41 | 2,237.67 | 2,581.94 | 3,098.32 |
| Avon and Somerset Police | 167.47 | 195.38 | 223.29 | 251.20 | 307.02 | 362.84 | 418.67 | 502.40 |
| Fire Authority | 51.97 | 60.63 | 69.29 | 77.95 | 95.27 | 112.59 | 129.92 | 155.90 |
| Long Ashton Parish Council | 26.53 | 30.96 | 35.38 | 39.80 | 48.64 | 57.49 | 66.33 | 79.60 |
| TOTAL | 1,278.74 | 1,491.88 | 1,704.99 | 1,918.11 | 2,344.34 | 2,770.60 | 3,196.85 | 3,836.22 |
I have received a lot of correspondence from people unhappy about missed green bin collections. Although here in North Somerset our cancellations were less than elsewhere in the region, this is of little consequence for a service people feel they have paid for and not received.
Recognising this there will be no increase in the green bin charge next year. Additionally all residents will be compensated for last years missed collections. Details are still being finalised and will be published soon.
Next year North Somerset Council will spend £179 million. Council tax amounts to £124 million with business rates contributing £28 million, the balance is received from central government. This is a lot of money.
What most people are surprised about is that over half of the £179 million the council spends goes on services for vulnerable adults and children. The total budget for these services is £102 million. The council also maintains our minor roads, collects your waste, looks after parks, provides planning services etcetera.
If you want to keep up to date on local issues in and around Long Ashton, Failand, Wraxall, and Leigh Woods then please sign up to my newsletter. It comes out (roughly) monthly and is a summary of all the articles I post on this website and social media.
Published and promoted by Ashley Cartman for and on behalf of the North Somerset Liberal Democrats, 10 Fenshurst Gardens, Long Ashton, BS41 9AR.