Council Tax in Chichester District
Rates, bands and how the charges break down
Council tax in the Chichester district is set annually by Chichester District Council, West Sussex County Council, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner and, where applicable, parish and town councils. The total bill is the sum of these elements, and the amount payable depends on the valuation band of the property.
Properties in England are assigned to one of eight council tax bands, from A (the lowest value) to H (the highest), based on their estimated value as at April 1991. Chichester has a higher proportion of properties in the upper bands than the national average, reflecting the generally high property values in the area. This means that many Chichester residents pay more in absolute terms than residents in less expensive areas, even though the rate per pound of property value may be comparable.
The largest element of the council tax bill goes to West Sussex County Council, which funds education, social care, highways, libraries and other county-level services. Chichester District Council's share covers local services including waste collection, planning, housing, environmental health and leisure facilities. The police precept funds Sussex Police, and parish precepts fund the activities of local parish and town councils.
The annual setting of council tax is a political process. Each authority decides how much to raise, within the limits set by central government. Increases above a set threshold trigger a local referendum, and this cap constrains the ability of councils to raise additional revenue. In practice, council tax increases have tended to be close to the maximum permitted without a referendum.
Discounts and exemptions are available. Single person households receive a 25 per cent discount. Students, certain carers and people with severe mental impairment may also qualify for discounts or exemptions. Council tax reduction, formerly council tax benefit, is available for those on low incomes, and the scheme is administered by Chichester District Council.
Payment is usually by monthly direct debit, spread over ten or twelve months. Failure to pay can result in enforcement action, including court summons, attachment of earnings and, in extreme cases, committal proceedings.
The council tax system is widely criticised as regressive and outdated, based as it is on property values from over thirty years ago. However, reform is a matter for national government, and in the meantime Chichester residents pay their bills according to the existing framework. The total annual charge for a Band D property in the Chichester district is published each spring when the budgets are finalised.
The largest element of the council tax bill goes to West Sussex County Council, which funds education, social care, highways, libraries and other county-level services that affect daily life. Chichester District Council share covers local services including waste collection, planning, housing, environmental health and leisure facilities. The police precept funds Sussex Police, and parish precepts fund the activities of local parish and town councils that serve individual communities.
Discounts and exemptions are available for certain households. Single person households receive a 25 per cent discount on their bill. Students, certain carers and people with severe mental impairment may also qualify for discounts or exemptions. Council tax reduction, formerly known as council tax benefit, is available for those on low incomes, and the scheme is administered by Chichester District Council for residents in the district.
Payment is usually by monthly direct debit, spread over ten or twelve instalments. The council tax system is widely criticised nationally as regressive and outdated, based as it is on property values from over thirty years ago that bear little resemblance to current market conditions. Reform is a matter for national government, and in the meantime Chichester residents pay their bills according to the existing framework.