Council tax

prize draw
Be the
All new and existing Direct lucky winner
Debit payers registered with and have your
a MySouthwark account linked council tax
to their council tax account paid for a
by 31 May 2018 will have the year
chance to get their council tax*
paid for a year.
Terms and conditions apply see
www.southwark.gov.uk/counciltax

*Up to a maximum of the Band D council tax charge

 3

Message from Cllr Peter John,

Leader of Southwark Council

Dear resident,
Since 2010, Southwark has faced unprecedented cuts from central government. This means
that we now have around half the grant that we did eight years ago while at the same time the
demand on services has grown. Despite these pressures we have kept our promise to deliver a
fairer future for all in Southwark.
By using money wisely and squeezing every penny of value out of each pound we spend, we
have been able to deliver our ambitious priorities like helping 5,000 people into work,
guaranteeing education, employment or training for every school leaver, improving health with
‘free swim and gym’ for all residents, and investing in more award winning green flag parks
than any other borough in central London. By listening to you and managing our finances well,
we have kept council tax down at one of the lowest rates in London.
However, with the nationwide crisis in adult social care, huge pressures in children’s services, and
cuts to funding for schools and education, councils need to raise additional money or risk cutting
services which protect the most vulnerable. The government has responded by allowing councils
to charge an Adult Social Care precept of up to 3% and to raise council tax by up to 2.99%. By
charging this, we will raise around £5.9million of the council’s £18.2million budget shortfall and
so while it won’t fill the gap, it will help lessen the impact on services for some of our most
vulnerable residents.
We will again make savings throughout the council, but the increase will help protect essential
services for adults with disabilities, those leaving hospital and older people with additional care
needs. It will also mean that we can continue to ensure that our children’s services can do their
vital work keeping children safe, preventing abuse and neglect, keeping our children’s centres
open and providing support to local schools and children with special educational needs. This is
not a decision that we take lightly but given the challenges we face, it is the right and
responsible thing to do.
The growing pressures and ongoing cuts will make it harder and harder for councils across the
country to deliver vital local services now and in the future. We are on your side through these
tough times. We will keep spending wisely, but won’t avoid making the difficult decisions. We
will be honest and open with you so that you can hold us to account, and we will keep listening
to you so that we can make the best decisions for you, your family and your community.
We know that we can’t do this alone, and so thank you once again to all of you who give
your time, energy and talents to help make Southwark a great place that we can all be proud
to call home.

Councillor Peter John OBE

Leader of Southwark Council
 4

Southwark Council’s budget

In July 2017 we were facing a potential funding shortfall for 2018/19 of up to
£19million. In particular increased demand and cost pressures for children’s and
adult social care are continuing to place a considerable strain on council resources.
The response from government was to allow councils to raise an additional 1%
of council tax; an increase of up to 2.99%. Government has also allowed for an
Adult Social Care precept of 3%. Due to changes in government funding our
budget is now almost entirely dependent on the council raising funds through
council tax and business rates. As a result, we have agreed to levy a 3% Adult
Social Care precept and a further 2.99% increase in council tax, resulting in the
total council tax due to Southwark increasing by 5.99%. Taken together this will
generate £5.9million in Southwark. Council tax in Southwark remains the
eighth lowest in London.

About the council’s budget

Southwark Council’s budget for 2018/19 represents the total estimated cost
of delivering our services. The amount we can spend each year is limited by the
amount of grant we receive from government and income received from other
sources, such as council tax, fees and charges and any business rate growth that
we can retain. Since 2010/11, like other councils, Southwark has experienced
significant reductions in government funding. Southwark Council faces
enormous funding cuts in 2018/19 with a loss of £12m of government funding
and specific grants. Despite the challenges, the council remains committed to
protecting services for the most vulnerable people, cutting waste and mitigating
as much of the impact of cuts as possible.

Where is the money being spent?

Other services
7.9%

Environment and
social regeneration Children’s Services
25.6% 29.5%

Adult Social Care

37%
 5

Southwark Council’s finances

Retained business rates will fund 62.6% of the council’s budget this year. The
remaining 37.4% comes from the council tax that you pay.

Where do the council’s resources come from?

Council tax
37.4%
Retained business
rates
62.6%

How is Southwark’s part of the bill worked out?

To work out the tax for each band, we divide Southwark’s total council tax
requirement by a number known as the council tax base. This gives us the
council tax for band D, with the other bands calculated as a proportion of this.
This year band D is £1,035.31 which is £104,446,214 divided by 100,884
(council tax base).

What other services does my bill pay for?

Part of your council tax meets the costs of the Greater London Authority (GLA).
This is known as the GLA precept and it covers the cost of police, fire and
transport for the whole of London. The Mayor of London and the London
Assembly set the GLA precept and Southwark Council has no control over this
contribution. This year the GLA precept has been increased. See pages 8-9 for
details of the GLA’s 2018/19 budget.
 6

Southwark Council’s finances continued

Southwark Council’s income and expenditure

The table on page 7 explains our budget. Due to changes in government funding
our budget is now almost entirely dependent on the council raising funds
through council tax and business rates. Schools are funded through the
dedicated schools grant.

Other key information

At 31 March 2018, the council’s uncommitted reserves are estimated to be
£19m, investments are estimated to be £140m and its borrowing to be £575m.
Southwark Council employs approximately 4,470 staff.

How is the Adult Social Care precept calculated?

In 2017-18 a band D charge was £976.80, which included £46.15 for Adult
Social Care. The 2018/19 charge builds on this, adding a further £29.30 (3% of
£976.80) to the bill. This means a total of £75.45 of your 2018-19 bill will be
used exclusively for Adult Social Care. The table below shows how the charge has
been constructed.

£ Explanation
2017/18 Band D Charge 976.80 includes £46.15 for ASC
Add 2.99% increase 29.21
Add 3% ASC precept 29.30 £46.15 + £29.30 = £75.45
2018/19 Band D Charge 1,035.31
 7

Southwark Council’s income and expenditure

2017/18 2018/19 2018/19 2018/19 Net

Net Budget Expenditure Income Budget
£m £m £m £m
80.7 Children’s services 310.4 (223.6) 86.8
96.7 Adult social care 137.9 (29.0) 108.9
7.9 Traffic, transport and parking 23.7 (16.6) 7.1
6.5 Highways 13.3 (6.1) 7.2
10.0 Planning and economic development 22.1 (12.2) 9.9
11.0 Recreation and tourism 13.9 (5.0) 8.9
6.7 Libraries 7.6 (0.6) 7.0
4.0 Environmental health 8.4 (4.5) 3.9
30.5 Refuse collection and disposal 58.2 (26.9) 31.3
7.5 Revenue and benefits 196.8 (189.0) 7.8
16.5 Other services 199.3 (183.8) 15.5
278.0 Total spending on services 991.6 (697.3) 294.3
(3.7) Contribution from / to balances and earmarked reserves -
274.3 Southwark's budget requirement 294.3
(178.6) Retained business rates, top up and revenue support grant (184.2)
(2.0) Council tax surplus from previous year (5.7)
93.7 Southwark's council tax requirement 104.4
95,941 Divided by council tax base 100,884
976.80 Which equals Southwark’s band D council tax 1,035.31
26.9 GLA tax requirement 29.7
95,941 Divided by council tax base 100,884
280.02 Which equals band D council tax 294.23
1,256.82 Total band D council tax 1,329.54

Register online for MySouthwark at www.southwark.gov.uk/mysouthwark

Simply link your Council Tax account by clicking on My Council Tax and Benefits
and you can access your account at any time, receive electronic bills and apply
for discounts or exemptions.

GLA Precept information
Introduction
This is Sadiq Khan’s second budget as
the Mayor of London. It is built around
his vision of a London where nobody
feels left behind and where everyone
has the opportunities they need to fulfil
their potential. It supports London’s
future growth and economic success,
building on our City’s thriving economy,
extraordinary creativity, tolerance,
diversity and openness to the world.
Sadiq Khan will not tolerate any waste
of public money, particularly against a
background of ever tightening
resources from the Government. This
year’s budget has required some tough
choices. It will improve the key services
Londoners need. That means ensuring
transport fares are more affordable and
building more affordable homes. The
budget also provides resources to
support jobs and growth, tackle rough
sleeping and make London a fairer and
cleaner place to live. The Mayor will also
provide extra resources from council tax
and business rates for the Metropolitan
Police and London Fire Brigade to keep
Londoners safe. This will help offset the
impact of continuing real terms cuts in
government grant.
Council tax for GLA Services
The GLA’s share of the council tax for a
typical Band D property has been
increased by £14.21 (or 27p per week)
to £294.23. The additional income
8
raised is being applied to fund the
Metropolitan Police and London Fire
Brigade. A Band D council taxpayer in
the City of London, which has its own
police force, will pay £76.10.
Council tax (£) 2017/18 Change 2018/19
MOPAC (Met Police) 206.13 12.00 218.13
LFEPA (Fire Brigade) 48.01 2.21 50.22
GLA 23.80 0.04 23.84
TfL (Transport) 2.08 -0.04 2.04
Total (£) 280.02 14.21 294.23
Investing in frontline services
This budget will enable the Mayor to
fulfil his key priorities for London in his
current term. These include:
n making transport more affordable.
Single bus fares, single pay as you go
fares on the Tube and DLR and
Santander cycle hire scheme charges
will be frozen until at least 2020. This
will save travellers around £40 million
a year. A new bus and tram one hour
Hopper fare has also been introduced
n continuing to tackle London’s
housing crisis, using £3.15 billion of
funding to support starts of 90,000
new affordable homes by 2021
n providing the best policing service
possible within the funding made
available by the Government which
continues to fall in real terms
year on year

n providing extra resources to
support disadvantaged young
Londoners and protect vulnerable
children and women at risk of
abuse and domestic violence
n providing sufficient resources to
the London Fire Brigade ensure
that first and second fire engines
arrive at emergency incidents
within six and eight minutes
respectively
n working with London boroughs to
maintain existing concessionary
travel and assisted door to door
transport schemes. This includes
free 24 hour travel for the over
60s, the disabled, armed forces
personnel in uniform and eligible
war veterans and protecting the
Taxicard and Dial a Ride schemes.
Discounts on travelcards are also
available for apprentices
n increasing capacity on the
London Underground,
commencing the operation of
Elizabeth line (formerly Crossrail)
through central London by the
end of 2018 and his introduction
of the Night Tube and Night
Overground services
n making public transport more
accessible for everyone. Step-free
access is planned to be introduced
at five more London Underground
stations in 2018/19 and funding
has been secured for a further 13.
All Elizabeth line stations will also
be step free and
9
n funding projects to bring
Londoners together, promote arts
and culture, help tackle inequality,
improve the environment, and
boost London’s economy.
Summary of GLA budget
The following tables compare the
GLA group’s spending for 2018/19
with last year and set out why it
has changed. The GLA’s gross
expenditure is higher this year.
This is mainly due to the impact
of additional investment planned
by the Mayor in transport, policing
and the fire service. Overall the
council tax requirement has increased
because of the extra funding for
the Metropolitan Police and the
London Fire Brigade alongside.
There has also been a 2.4 per cent
increase in London’s residential
property taxbase.
Find out more about our budget at:
www.london.gov.uk/budget
(tel: 020 7983 4000).
How the GLA Group budget is 2018/19
funded (£m)
Gross expenditure 12,178.4
Government grants and retained -4,638.3
business rates
Fares, charges and other income -6,163.9
Use of reserves -510.5
Amount met by council
taxpayers (£m) 865.7

Changes in spending (£m)
2017-18 council tax requirement
Inflation
Efficiencies and other savings
New initiatives
Other changes (for example fares revenue
and government grants)
2018/19 council tax requirement
London Pensions Fund Authority
The London Pensions Fund Authority
(LPFA) raises a levy each year to meet
expenditure on premature retirement
compensation and outstanding
personnel matters for which LPFA is
responsible and cannot charge to the
pension fund. These payments relate to
former employees of the Greater
London Council (GLC), the Inner
London Education Authority (ILEA) and
the London Residuary Body (LRB).
For 2018/19, the income to be
raised by levies is set out below.
The Greater London levy is payable
in all boroughs, the Inner London
levy only in Inner London Boroughs
(including the City of London).
The figures show the total to be
raised and, in brackets, the percentage
change on the previous year.
Inner London £13,065,200
Greater London £10,317,750
Total £23,382,950 (0%)
10
2018/19 Environment Agency
The Council Tax (Demand Notices)
804.8
(England) Regulations 2011
227.3 The Environment Agency is a levying
-324.2 body for its Flood and Coastal Erosion
296.2 Risk Management Functions under the
Flood and Water Management Act
-138.4
2010 and the Environment Agency
(Levies) (England and Wales)
865.7 Regulations 2011.
The Environment Agency has powers
in respect of flood and coastal erosion
risk management for 5200 kilometres
of main river and along tidal and sea
defences in the area of the Thames
Regional Flood and Coastal
Committee. Money is spent on the
construction of new flood defence
schemes, the maintenance of the river
system and existing flood defences
together with the operation of a flood
warning system and management of
the risk of coastal erosion. The
financial details are:
Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee
2017/18 2018/19
‘000s ‘000s
Gross Expenditure £98,788 £97,838
Levies Raised £11,130 £11,351
Total Council Tax Base 4,906 5,001
 11

The majority of funding for flood Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
defence comes directly from the Lee Valley Regional Park is a unique
Department for the Environment, Food leisure, sports and environmental
and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, destination for all residents of London,
under the new Partnership Funding Essex and Hertfordshire. The 26 mile
rule not all schemes will attract full long, 10,000 acre Park, much of it
central funding.To provide local formerly derelict land is partly funded
funding for local priorities and by a levy on the council tax. This year
contributions for partnership funding there has been a 6% decrease in this
the Regional Flood and Coastal levy. Find out more about hundreds of
Committees recommend through the great days out, world class sports
Environment Agency a local levy. venues and award winning parklands
A change in the gross budgeted at www.leevalleypark.org.uk
expenditure between years reflects the
programme of works for both capital Budget/Levy Changes – 2017/2018 to 2018/2019
and revenue needed by the Regional
Flood and Coastal Committee to which 2017/18 2018/19
£m £m
you contribute. The total Local Levy
raised by this committee has increased Authority Operating 11.8 11.2
by 1.99% Expenditure
Authority Operating Income (3.4) (3.3)
The total Local Levy raised has
increased from £11,129,577 in Net Service 8.4 7.9
2017/2018 to £11,351,056 for Operating Costs
2018/2019. Financing Costs
– Debt servicing/repayments 0.5 0.5
– Capital investment 1.3 1.2
Total Net Expenditure 10.2 9.6
Total Levy (10.2) (9.6)

Further details on how this budget is

spent and the amount each council
contributes can be found at
www.leevalleypark.org.uk

The text on pages 8 to 11 has not been written by Southwark Council. The views in it should not be taken as representing those of the council.
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Southwark has many children and
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We need people who can offer them
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You will receive excellent support,
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Freephone 0800 952 0707 or
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@lb_southwarkk facebook.com/southwarkcouncil
 13

How much is my bill?

This table shows you how much council tax you will pay this year according to
the valuation band your property falls into.

Band A B C D E F G H

Value of £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
property on Under 40,001 52,001 68,001 88,001 120,001 160,001 Over
April 1 1991 40,000 – 52,000 – 68,000 – 88,000 – 120,000 – 160,000 – 320,000 320,000

Southwark 690.21 805.24 920.28 1,035.31 1,265.38 1,495.45 1,725.52 2,070.62

element (£)

GLA 196.15 228.85 261.54 294.23 359.61 425.00 490.38 588.46

element (£)
Overall council 886.36 1,034.09 1,181.82 1,329.54 1,624.99 1,920.45 2,215.90 2,659.08
tax (£)

How to pay your bill

Council tax is normally payable in ten monthly instalments from April to January
each year. You can choose to pay over 12 months from April to March and we
will issue a revised bill once you’ve requested this. Payments can be made on the
1st, 8th, 15th, 20th or 25th of each month. For more information please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/paycounciltax

What are the benefits to signing up to MySouthwark?

If you sign up for a MySouthwark account you’ll be able to view statements,
copies of your bills, details of discounts and a list of future payments – making it
much easier to manage your account. This year you could win the chance to have
your council tax paid for a year (please see enclosed insert for further details).

How can I access my council tax account online?

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to register for a MySouthwark account. Go to
www.southwark.gov.uk/viewcounciltax for more details.
 14

How can I get a copy of my bill?

A copy of your bill will be available online as an e-bill when you log in to your
MySouthwark account. Once you have selected your council tax account, simply
click on the e-bills link under the council tax menu on the left hand side of the
page and your e-bills will be listed. You’ll need a PDF reader such as Adobe
Acrobat to view these.

What if I need to tell you about a change?

You should notify us of any changes to your circumstances or any changes
regarding members of your household. Please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/ctaxchanges

Exemptions and discounts

Empty properties
There are no exemptions or discounts available for empty properties. Where
a property has remained empty for a period of two years or more, an additional
50% premium will apply so the amount payable will be 150% of the council
tax charge.

Discounts
You can claim a 25% discount if you live alone or only with children under 18.
Discounts may apply in other circumstances, for example if you live with students,
school leavers or carers. For further information regarding discounts, please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/Ctaxdiscounts

Exemptions
In certain circumstances, properties are exempt from council tax, for example
where all occupiers are full time students or a property is unoccupied because the
person responsible for council tax lives in a care home. For further information
regarding exemptions, please visit: www.southwark.gov.uk/Ctaxexemptions
 15

Can I claim disabled relief?

If your home has been adapted to meet the needs of a disabled person, you may
qualify for a reduction in your council tax. Please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/Ctaxdisabledrelief
For further information (including all circumstances in which a discount applies)
and to apply for an exemption, discount or reduction, please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/council-tax/reducing-your-bill

Southwark foster carers

Approved Southwark residents fostering Southwark children can claim 100%
relief on their council tax this year. Please visit: www.southwark.gov.uk/fostering

Southwark care leavers

Southwark care leavers aged between 18 and 24 who live in the borough get
100% discount on their Council Tax bills, so they don’t have to pay any Council
Tax. For more information please visit: www.southwark.gov.uk/Ctaxcareleaver

Valuations
Your council tax charge is calculated using the banding provided by the Valuation
Office Agency (VOA). If you think this is incorrect and you would like further
information, please contact:
03000 501 501
ctsouth@voa.gsi.gov.uk
www.voa.gov.uk

Have your say: Register to vote for the local borough council elections
being held on Thursday 3 May 2018. The easiest way to register is by going
online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
 16

Change of circumstances
Keeping us up to date with any changes in your circumstances helps us to get
your council tax right and avoid any problems later on. This includes:

n If you’re moving home, contact us as soon as possible with details of the

landlord or new owner and your new address and moving date
n If the property becomes unoccupied and substantially unfurnished
n If you are claiming an exemption (e.g. because your property is unoccupied),
you must inform us when someone moves in

To report a change in circumstances, please visit:

www.southwark.gov.uk/ctaxchanges

Failure to tell us within 21 days of any change in circumstances that

could affect your liability to pay council tax or your entitlement to
a reduction can lead to a minimum penalty of £70 or a prosecution.

Council tax reduction scheme

If you are on a low income, you might be entitled to some help towards paying
your council tax.
You may be entitled to a council tax reduction. Reductions are based on:
n Your council tax bill
n Your personal circumstances and those of your partner
n The income of any other adults in your household
More information can be found at: www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits
If you are receiving housing benefit and would like to make a claim for council
tax reduction, you may complete a shortened form at:
www.southwark.gov.uk/CTRform
If you are receiving Universal Credit and would like to make a claim for council
tax reduction, you can do so online at: www.southwark.gov.uk/ctaxhousingbenefit
 17

You can get further advice and information about welfare benefits
from the following sources:
Southwark Citizens Advice (CAB)
0344 499 4134
www.southwarkcabservice.org.uk

Advising London
0300 0301 121
www.advisingcommunities.uk

Drop in council tax debt advice clinic

First Tuesday of the month 5pm to 7pm at Bermondsey CAB, 8 Market Place,
Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3UQ.
Other useful sources of welfare benefits and money advice and information can
be accessed from the following websites: www.southwarkadvice.org.uk and
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Extra help with benefits

The Southwark Local Support Team provides support to vulnerable residents in
Southwark, including those who are experiencing severe financial hardship and
have seen their benefits reduced as a result of recent welfare changes.
The Southwark Local Support Team can:
n Check that you are receiving all the benefits that you and your household are
entitled to
n Help you complete application forms for benefit
n Provide emergency support to customers in an emergency, crisis or in
financial hardship
If you are over 60, housebound or have a vulnerable adult or child in your
household and would like more information, please contact the team:
020 7525 2434
localsupport@southwark.gov.uk
www.southwark.gov.uk/localsupport
 18

Paying your bill

Your council tax pays for the services you value. From collecting your rubbish,
providing care for older people and children, to libraries, parks, leisure centres
and playgrounds.
The simplest and most convenient way to pay your council tax is by direct debit.
For more information and to set up a direct debit, please visit:
www.southwark.gov.uk/CTDDform
If you’re having trouble paying your council tax bill get in touch to find out what
advice and support is available to you. The council tax team can work out a
repayment plan for you and find out if you are entitled to a discount, exemption,
or reduction. We can also help you with your application for the council tax
reduction scheme.

If you do not pay

The council is responsible for ensuring it collects all council tax that is due. If you
do not pay your council tax, it will impact on all residents in the borough who use
valued council services. The council will take all appropriate action to recover
what is due. This can ultimately lead to prosecution and committal to prison.

Payment
You can make a payment by visiting: www.southwark.gov.uk/payforit or call our
24 hour automated payment line on 0845 600 0611

Appeals
If you feel that you are not liable to pay council tax, or you believe that we have
made a mistake in calculating your bill, you must contact us first, so we can
consider your case.
If you would like to know more about the appeals procedure, including the use
of valuation tribunals, please visit: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Ctaxappeals
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