Sprotbrough & Cusworth Parish Council

In short, we have not increased the precept. Our income from the precept remains the same for 2021/22 as the current 2020/21 financial year. It is a complicated financial process involving Doncaster Council's 'tax base' calculation that has led to a precept increase of 93p across the year for every Band D property in the parish.

As a Parish Council we did not anticipate this, nor have we received any additional funding as a result of the increase.

This is the explanation we received from Doncaster Council's Principal Finance Officer:

Following our phone conversation this morning regarding the 2% increase to the parish precept for 2021/22, I can confirm that this is due to a reduction in the Council Tax Base calculation.

The Council Tax Base is a calculation (as set by legislation) that effectively converts the number of actual properties within the parish into an equivalent number of Band D properties, further adjusted to account for the numbers in receipt of Local Council Tax Support, Single Person Discounts, anticipated collection rates, etc. Regarding the Council Tax Base calculation for 2021/22, many parishes will have seen a decrease in their 2021/22 Council Tax Base. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in the numbers of people in receipt of Local Council Tax Support and lower levels of property growth, both of which has had a negative impact on the Council Tax Base.

The Council Tax Base has reduced from 3,904 in 2020/21 to 3,830 in 2021/22, a 1.9% decrease. As the Precept amount is divided over the Council Tax Base to give the Band D charge, even though your Precept amount has remained unchanged at £186,507 it is being 'spread' over a reduced Council Tax Base, thereby increasing the Band D amount for 2021/22.

So in your case, the Band D charge has increased from £47.77 in 2020/21 to £48.70 in 2021/22 (an annual increase of 93p). The Band A annual increase is 62p so 1p per week rounded.

We hope this clears up any misunderstanding. » Less