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Each year the discount you receive is automatically granted to you.
In order to maintain that our records are correct we make a yearly check on all accounts that receive a discount.
Single Person Discount Review 2010
The seven Suffolk Authorities have teamed up in order to carry out a review of cases where a 25% discount has been awarded for Council Tax purposes. We have commissioned this work from a third party - Northgate Information Solutions UK Limited.
Any discrepancies found will be investigated and if the discount no longer applies it will be removed from an appropriate date.
If you receive a Discount Review form, please complete and return it as soon as possible in the reply paid envelope provided with the form.
Here are a few questions that we hope will answer any queries you may have:
Q. Why are you checking these discounts?
A. All councils are required to ensure that discounts are awarded correctly and reviews are carried out regularly. The Audit Commission have reported that nationally, over £200m of Single Person Discount may be awarded inappropriately.
Q. Are you allowed to use a third party to carry out the review?
A. Yes. The law allows councils to 'contract out' certain functions. Ascertaining entitlement to discounts is covered in Section 12 of the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Tax Billing, Collection and Enforcement Functions) Order 1996.
Q. Who are Northgate (the company carrying out the review)?
A. Northgate is reputable company who specialise in the provision of Benefits and Revenues software and they deal with Benefits and Revenues processing work for many Local Authorities.
Q. Are their employees covered by the Data Protection Act?
A. Yes. All personal data is held and processed securely to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. Northgate's employees are contracted to comply in the same way as any member of staff here at Babergh District Council. We have taken all necessary steps, including encryption where required, to ensure that data security and confidentiality are not breached in any way.
Q. How is the review being carried out?
A. Northgate, acting on our behalf, is checking all council tax accounts which have a 25% single person discount against a variety of third party data sources and specialist validation services.
Q. Does this mean my name or other details are being sent to other companies?
A. No. Searches are carried out against addresses only - not individuals. Northgate check the information held by other sources against the council tax records. They do not share any information with anyone else nor do they allow any other company access to that information.
Q. What happens if I don't return the enquiry form?
A. Your discount will be cancelled from the date considered to be appropriate according to the information obtained. You could also face a penalty for not returning the form, and failing to tell us about a relevant change in circumstances.
Q. Who should I contact if I need some help to complete the form?
A. You should phone 0844 873 6175 any weekday between 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. |