Source: Congleton Guardian

http://www.congletonguardian.co.uk/display.var.2216111.0.0.php

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Don't miss out on Council Tax help

RESIDENTS are being urged to come forward if they think they are missing out on Council Tax benefits.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council cabinet member for regeneration, Andrew Hart, is reminding taxpayers if they are having difficulty with their bill the council may be able to help.

Councillor Hart said: "We're very aware that with bills being due from April 1 residents may face a financial strain.

"But if people are having difficulty paying their bill it is very important they don't ignore the problem.

"I'm urging residents to come and speak to us, because we may be able to help.

"If you pay Council Tax, have a low income and your savings and investments are £16,000 or below you may be eligible for Council Tax benefit.

"Also, certain categories of resident such as full-time students and patients resident in hospital, for example, may qualify for a discount."

Nationally, up to 1.4 million eligible older people miss out on Council Tax benefit, resulting in up to £580 million remaining unclaimed each year.

Councillor Gill Heath, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: "We set up a hotline for people to contact the council if they are having difficulty paying their Council Tax.

"Calls to the 0845 605 3011 number have been few, yet we know there are district residents who still have difficulties and haven't contacted us.

"Let me stress that - there are a number of Council taxpayers who are eligible for assistance but do not apply.

"I'm urging people to come forward now - we're here to listen and help if we can."

The district council collected 99.07 per cent of Council Tax by March 31, and in doing so is one of around 20 top performing local tax collection authorities amongst all 354 billing authorities in the country.

It is committed to ensuring those who pay their Council Tax regularly and promptly do not have to pay for those who won't pay.

Councillor Heath said: "We put in a lot of very hard work to ensure our Council Tax collection rates stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best councils in the country.

"In doing so we are able to keep administration costs down, which ultimately means we are able to keep Council Tax bills down.

"It is important that Council Tax is paid regularly and on time to help keep collection costs down for the benefit of all Council Tax payers."

Residents who feel they might be eligible for Council Tax benefits should contact the council via 0845 605 3011, visit www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/missingout, or call in at one-stop shops in Biddulph, Cheadle or Leek to see if they qualify.

2:27pm today
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To claim council tax benefits, residents must phone a 0845 number!

Dave wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 2:17pm:

Councillor Gill Heath, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: "Calls to the 0845 605 3011 number have been few, yet we know there are district residents who still have difficulties and haven't contacted us."

Doh!

Do you not need a few brain cells to be a councillor?

Come on councillor, try to work out why they're not calling (here's a clue - disguised premium rate number).

I will be emailing this so called Cabinet Member (jumped up schoolmistress will be nearer the mark no doubt) and her Leader and Chief Executive asking why they have not followed the splendid example set by Mole Valley District Council in banning the use of these ripoff numbers by the Council and pointing her to the other appropriate sources regarding 084/7 call costs.

Source: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/downloads/Council_Telephone_Numbers_(01-09-09).doc

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DECISION REFERENCE 2009/57

STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL

Report to the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services

1st September 2009

TITLE:      Council Telephone Numbers

PORTFOLIO:      Customer Services

OFFICER:      Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer

WARD:      Non-Specific

[…]

2      Executive Summary

[…]

2.3      Concern has been expressed about the use of the 0845 numbers as they are perceived as being charged at a higher rate to callers. Whether this is the case or not is dependent upon the nature of the contract held by the customer e.g. BT contracts provide access at local rate, some cable arrangements charge at a premium. 0845 numbers carry no charge, beyond an annual rental, to the Council.

2.4      Since the adoption of 0845 numbers by the Council OFCOM (the telephony industry regulator) has introduced a range of 03 prefixes that are available for use by the public sector and which are charged at the same rate as for geographic numbers (01 or 02). 03 numbers do however, carry a higher cost to the organisation using them, over and above the rental charge, and therefore would be more expensive to the Council were they to be used.

2.5      In order to ensure that no bias is caused to callers to the Council in terms of the cost of contact with the Authority, it is recommended that the Council adopts 03 numbers for use as the main means of contact with the Council. It is further recommended however, that the promotion of these numbers takes place as part of a wider exercise to promote the Council's commitment to and role in the community. This would fit with the time table for the production of future BT phone directories, etc.

[…]

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Three options are proposed at the end. They are, make no changes, revert to geographic numbers or adopt 03 numbers and the latter is the one recommended.


http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/downloads/18Sep09_1_.doc

Delegated Decisions

Date: Friday 18th September 2009

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[…]

DECISION REF:      2009/57

TITLE:      COUNCIL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
     (NB:  Report previously circulated to all Members.)


Record Of The Decision Taken

(a)      That the proposals in relation to provision of telephone access and the adoption of a revised set of none geographic numbers for this purpose be noted.

(b)      The application of the new numbers in concert with actions to refresh the Council’s profile in the community be approved.


Statement of the Reasons for Decision

To provide cost effective telephone access to Council services.

[…]
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We await implementation of the decision, but many congratulations are due to all those involved in getting the message across.

Every one that changes makes the next one easier and more likely. It is still a snowball at present, but it is growing and even if it never becomes an avalanche, all those involved in the campaign can take pride in having played a part.

Most numbers on the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council website are now 0345 rather than 0845:

http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/site/scripts/contact.php


Quote:

By Telephone The Council is open to take your telephone calls Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm and 8.45am to 4.45pm on a Friday. CUSTOMER SERVICE AREAS Council Tax and Business Rates - 0345 605 3011 Housing Policy and Benefits Services - 0345 605 3012 Planning & Building Control - 0345 605 3013 Environmental & Waste Services - 0345 605 3014 Automated Payment Line (24 hrs) - 0845 234 0067 If your enquiry is in connection with any other service please call 0345 605 3010