Serving Soldiers Council Tax Exemption
Dear Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,
Are serving soldiers residing in your area exempt from council tax payments whilst they are in theatre (away fighting)?
If so, how many serving soldiers have benefited from this exemption?
When did you begin this exemption scheme?
Yours faithfully,
Agata Tina Campanella
Dear Ms Campanella,
Thank you for your request for information regarding serving soldiers
being exempt from council tax. Your request was received on 11th May
2011 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations
2004.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I
will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be
required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.
If you have any queries about this email, please contact [Name of Council employee removed]
on telephone number 01254 585582. Alternatively, our email address is
[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email].
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
Regards,
[Name of Council employee removed]
Information Governance Officer
Information Technology, Management and Governance
G Floor, Tower Block
Blackburn Town Hall
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
Tel: 01254 58 5852
Email: [email address]
Dear Ms Campanella,
Thank you for your request for information regarding soldiers council tax; please find our response below. If you have any queries relating to this request then please do not hesitate to contact me
There is no provision in Council Tax legislation to exempt serving soldiers whose sole or main residence is within the Billing Authority. This authority has, therefore, not awarded any exemptions.
The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 25 September 2007 that service personnel on operational duty in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive a flat rate payment of £140 for a six month tour of duty to help with the cost of their Council Tax. The payment is an addition to the operational allowance for service personnel and is equivalent to approximately 25 percent of the average Council Tax bill for six months. Administration and payment of this is the responsibility of the MOD payroll.
In the event that the serving soldier is a member of a visiting force, a Class P exemption would be applicable. In order to qualify for this exemption the person should have a "relevant association" with a visiting force from a country to which the Visiting Forces Act 1952 applies.
This Billing Authority has no current accounts where Class P has been awarded.
Please note that this Authority has chosen not to use its powers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 2003, which provides for an authority to award discretionary discounts.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Sarah Slater, Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, G Floor, Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy.
Regards,
[Name of Council employee removed]
Information Governance Officer
Information Technology, Management and Governance
G Floor, Tower Block
Blackburn Town Hall
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
Tel: 01254 58 5852
Email: [email address]
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