Council Tax

Your Council Tax

Your Council Tax contributes to the budget requirements of Herefordshire Council, your Town or Parish Council and the Police and Fire Authority all of whom provide services to the people of Herefordshire.

As the billing authority, Herefordshire Council collects the Council Tax on behalf of these bodies. For further information regarding the Police or Fire Authority, or for contact information for them, please refer to the leaflets enclosed with your bill. You can also download the leaflet on the council budget and statement of accounts page.

The Council's budget

The Council's budget for 2011/12 has been set at £146,313,400 enabling the Council to freeze Council Tax at 2010/11 levels.

In 2011/12 a Dedicated Schools Grant of £106,125,000 will be paid directly from Central Government to fund schools.  This amount now includes £16.2 million of other grants which were previously accounted for separately.  Herefordshire Council receives 7% less per pupil than the average for English education authorities, or 123rd out of 151.

The Council's budget is only partly funded by Central Government with the largest part (58.9% or £86,122,777) having to be raised locally through Council Tax. Any changes in the levels of Government funding have a direct impact on the need to raise the balance of funding through Council Tax.

Compared to the 55 similar authorities, Herefordshire Council receives 13% less grant per head of population than the average. The Council will continue to lobby Government to ensure the specific needs of Herefordshire are recognised and that it receives its fair share of funding.

The Council's strategy

The Council's strategy is to target limited resources to areas of greatest importance. A major drive is underway to achieve significant savings by restructuring services and transforming the way they are delivered by making better use of modern technology, with no reduction in service quality.