Council Tax demands for Folkestone wards compaired to other wards Shepway

The request was partially successful.

Dear Shepway District Council,

Please could you provide answer to the following questions.

1. Do people living in the Folkestone wards generally pay higher Council Tax demands when compared to the demands for people living in other wards in Shepway.

2. Is there any additional revenue raised by Shepway District Council from people living in the wards of Folkestone when compared to other wards in Shepway?

3. Are there any additional charges paid to Shepway District Council by people living in Folkestone wards that are not charged to other people living in other wards in Shepway?

4. If there is an additional charge added to the Council Tax demands of people living in the Folkestone Wards, when compared to the other demands for people in other Shepway wards, how much additional revenue is raised by this additional Folkestone charge?

5. What percentage of the total revenue received by Shepway District Council is raised from the Folkestone Wards, from the Hythe wards and from the Romney wards?

Yours faithfully,

Mr D.Brook

Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Dear Mr D Brook,

Thank you for your request dated 29 November 2013.

We will endeavour to supply the information you have requested within
the requisite 20 working days. If we think that it will take longer, we
will contact you.

Kind regards,

Rachel Neville
Information and Legal Officer
Tel: 01303 853437
Fax: 01303 853548
Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue,
Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY
E-mail: [Shepway District Council request email]
Website: www.shepway.gov.uk

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Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Dear Mr Brook,

I am writing in respect of your Freedom of Information enquiry dated 29 November 2013. This request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Please find below information in response to your request.

1. Do people living in the Folkestone wards generally pay higher Council Tax demands when compared to the demands for people living in other wards in Shepway.

Please see link to the web page to answer this. Information about the amounts payable for all the wards can be found on the council's website - www.shepway.gov.uk by clicking on "Council tax and benefits", "Council Tax" and then "2013 Financial Information" under the heading "What you will pay".

2. Is there any additional revenue raised by Shepway District Council from people living in the wards of Folkestone when compared to other wards in Shepway?

Yes. The council raises council tax to recover costs of £524,924 from the tax payers of Folkestone and Sandgate only in respect of the Council's financial contribution towards the Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds Charity. This is explained in more detail in the webpage link.

As far as income from fees and charges are concerned, from users of a service, the Council does not differentiate between whether a user is from Folkestone or any other part of the district.

3. Are there any additional charges paid to Shepway District Council by people living in Folkestone wards that are not charged to other people living in other wards in Shepway?

See 2 above.

4. If there is an additional charge added to the Council Tax demands of people living in the Folkestone Wards, when compared to the other demands for people in other Shepway wards, how much additional revenue is raised by this additional Folkestone charge?

See 2 above.

5. What percentage of the total revenue received by Shepway District Council is raised from the Folkestone Wards, from the Hythe wards and from the Romney wards?

If this is a reference to council tax income to fund Shepway District Council's costs it is:
Folkestone ward 39%
Hythe ward 15%
New Romney ward 7%

The Council does not measure the remainder of its fees and charges income on the basis of residency.

Should you require any further information, or if you are not satisfied with our response, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01303 853437. You may also request an internal review by writing to the following address:

Freedom of Information Appeals Officer
Administration
Shepway District Council
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
Kent CT20 2QY

Alternatively you can use our Customer Comment Form which can be accessed at our website www.shepway.gov.uk

In addition, if you are not satisfied with our response you may apply to the Information Commissioner for an independent review at the following address:

The information Commissioner
Wyncliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone 01625 545700
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Neville
Information and Legal Officer
Tel: 01303 853437
Fax: 01303 853548
Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue,
Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY
E-mail: [Shepway District Council request email]
Website: www.shepway.gov.uk

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