Council tax 2 months non-payments

[Le Chat]

Hello. I hope someone here can help.
I pay my council tax by direct debit like alot of people and for the last 10 yrs have had March and April as the 2 months that I do not pay. However, sefton council have decided that they now want to fit in with their financial year and insted of me having these 2 months of non-payment, my next bill starts in April. Therefore, instead of having March/April 'free' I have only had March this year. I have phoned the council and they have said the bill is for the year. Well, technically, I have paid 10 installments for only 11 months of services this year and I will never be able to get that missing month back. I am so annoyed but I do not understand the council and they do not understand me.
I am not the only one 'up in arms' about this.
Any suggestions?

[Le Chat]

I don't think I've paid twice but paid the same as usual for a shorter year ie, II months instead of 12. :(

[Le Chat]

Yes but I wouldn't pay for 2 months next year anyway, with my 'old' method. This year I have only had 1 month 'free'.
Feb/March are the normal 'free' months but for some reason alot of people in Sefton Council have had March and April 'free'. Now they want to make everyone Feb&March, they have taken away the 'free' April, so now I have paid 10 installments for an 11 month 'year'.

[foxyferret]

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean by an 11 month service? What happens in this 12th month? No street lights, no refuse collection, no police, no emergency services, libraries shut etc etc etc. You get 12 month service from April to end of March the following year when you get your new bill. I suggest you go to the council in person and speak to someone face to face in the council tax department who I am sure will explain it all to you as I cannot explain it any better than I have already. TLC has explained it in his last posting and tables very well. In your second post, I see you have counted April 2010. I think it should have read Apr 09 (free) May, June, July, August, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec 09, Jan, Feb, 2010 all paid and March 2010 free. That is 10 payments but I see you have included Apr 2010 on this list when it should not be. The payment in Apr 2010 is your first payment of the new year. I'm sorry I cannot think of any other way to express myself, so I will leave it to others to try and help you.

[Le Chat]

Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhh! I give up!
Foxyferret - at least you can understand somewhat,
Everyone else, thank you for your replies and for taking the time to answer. Much appreciated. x

[Le Chat]

I meant EDDIE51 not Foxyferret. Sorry x

[cherrytigerbarb]

The council seem to be saying that for the 2011/2012 financial year, April 2011 and March 2012 were the payment free months. But this is applying the revised financial year retrospectively, whereas the change is taking place NOW. What they should have done is given us March and April free this year as normal, then change it to February and March next year instead. By applying the change to the financial year retrospectively, they have gained an additional month’s payment, which is clearly wrong.