Your Council Tax bill explained

Welcome to Cumberland Council’s first guide to council tax, which outlines all the information you need to understand your council tax bill.

At Cumberland Council, we want to transform the quality and provision of our council services so that they work for the people of Cumberland. As a unitary authority, we can build on the strengths of the borough, city and county councils whilst taking advantage of the opportunities and efficiencies the changes bring. I want every penny and every pound to work for you, to support those most in need and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone.

We understand that few people like paying tax. But without the funding provided through council tax, we simply could not provide the services that everyone relies on – from roads and planning, to waste collections, libraries, community centres and social care.

We also understand that the rising cost of living has stretched budgets – including our own. Therefore, if you are on a low income and have not applied for support under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, have a read of the information in this guide to see if you are eligible – it could mean your bill is reduced. I’m pleased to say that we recently agreed improvements to this scheme to make it even better.

Cllr Mark Fryer

Introduction

This guide contains important information about your council tax bill, how your money is spent, what your bill is for the coming year, and the different ways to pay. To ensure you pay the right amount, this guide explains the eligibility criteria for discounts and exemptions from council tax, including reductions for disabled persons’, what to do if you dispute your council tax, and how the money paid contributes towards the services delivered by Cumberland Council, Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria and the parish/town councils.

Your bill explained

Your council tax bill will look different to previous years.

Cumberland Council is replacing Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Copeland Borough Council, from 1 April 2023. Cumberland Council will then be responsible for providing your local services from that date.

We must show the actual percentage change on your bill. The calculation of the percentage change is prescribed in regulations. We are required to show how each element of Cumberland Council’s charge contributes to the overall increase. The note on your bill details your 2022/23 charge for comparison purposes.

Your council tax bill helps to pay for all services delivered by Cumberland Council, Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria and the parish/town councils.

Cumberland Council acts as the billing authority, to levy and collect taxes, for all these authorities.

The amount of council tax you pay depends on:

• The value of your property based on values on 1 April 1991; and
• Your personal circumstances

Every home is placed into one of the bands below. This is calculated by the Valuation Office Agency and is based on what your property was worth on 1 April 1991, not what it would be worth today.

A typical house in the UK is one that was valued on 1 April 1991, at between £68,001 and £88,000 and so is in council tax band D. Houses with lower values are placed in bands A-C and pay less council tax, while those with higher values are placed in bands E-H and pay more council tax.

Guide in PDF format

You can also download the guide in PDF fomat.