Discretionary Council Tax Support
The government has given us extra funding to help people who already get Council Tax Support. This is called Discretionary Council Tax Support. If you are eligible for the extra support, we will have credited your Council Tax account automatically. You don't need to do anything.
Your Council Tax bill will show the extra support payment as part of the total Council Tax Support paid to you for the year.
Further information is available at Discretionary Council Tax Support.
Adult Social Care (ASC)
Government has allowed councils who are responsible for providing ASC to increase their Council Tax again this year. The funds raised by the ASC precept are ring-fenced to use for the provision of Adult Social Care services.
Your bill shows the figures relating to both general expenditure and the Adult Social Care (ASC) precept; each are accompanied by a percentage change figure. We have chosen to increase the general expenditure precept by 1.9987% and the ASC precept by 1.9987%. Both of these figures are shown rounded as 2% respectively on your bill.
The percentage increase for the ASC element is calculated on the combined total of the Dorset Council and ASC charges from last year's bill. Whilst we understand this looks different to how other percentage increases are displayed, the bills have been calculated correctly, in accordance with regulations and guidance, and should be paid as requested.
How it is calculated
The following example shows how the ASC precept has been calculated for 2023/24 based on a band D property. The principle of calculation is the same for all bands.
| Shown at the bottom of your new bill | 2022-23 bill | 2023-24 bill | Increase as a percentage of combined total | Increase between 2022/23 and 2023/24 charge | How the percentage is calculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset Council |
£1,629.63 |
£1,666.26 |
1.9987% (2% rounded) |
£36.63 |
36.63/1832.67 = 1.9987% |
| Adult Social Care Precept |
£203.04 |
£239.67 |
1.9987% (2% rounded) |
£36.63 |
36.63/1832.67 = 1.9987% |
| Dorset Council combined total |
£1,832.67 |
£1,905.93 |
3.9974% (4% rounded) |
£73.26 |
73.26/1832.67 = 3.9974% |
In this example the combined total from 2022/23 is £1,832.67 and the percentage change figure that is shown on the bill is 2% for both Dorset Council general expenditure and for ASC.
The ASC increase shown for 2023/24 is calculated based on the Dorset Council combined total charge for 2022/23 (in this example, £1,832.67).
The ASC precept increase is calculated as follows:
£1,832.67 x 1.99% = £36.63
£36.63 + £203.04* = £239.67 (*2022/23 ASC charge)
This amount is then added to the 2022/23 ASC precept of £203.04 as this is a cumulative charge:
£62.22 (2017/18) + £39.81 (2018/19) + £32.52 (2020/21) + £50.76(2021/22) +£17.73(2022/23) + £36.63 (this year’s increase) = £239.67
Note - There was no ASC increase in 2019/20
See more information on previous years ASC.
Your bill shows the amounts charged by Dorset Council, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority and your Town/Parish Council (if appropriate) for the services they provide.