The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults (18 years old or over) living in the property.

If only one adult is resident, the Council Tax bill will be reduced by 25%.

Single occupancy discount request application form.

If the property is your second home you may be eligible for a 10% discount

Discount for a second home application form.

Certain people may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes.

A brief description of persons who might meet the criteria is described below:

Students

A full time student must be attending a university, polytechnic or college and is required to attend the course for periods of at least 24 weeks in the year and be required to study for at least 21 hours per week, on average, when in attendance. (Please put your request in writing and provide a copy of your student certificate when applying for a discount).

Non British Spouses of Students

This category is for the spouse or dependant of a student who is not a British citizen and is prevented by immigration regulations from taking paid employment, or claiming benefits whilst in the UK. (Please put your request in writing and provide the relevant documentation).

Student Nurses

For those not fulfilling the above criteria but are undertaking a course leading to an appropriate registration under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979. An example of this is the Project 2000 course.

Further information and how to make an application - Student Nurses

Under 20, Still at School & School Leavers

This category is for 18 & 19 year olds who are in full-time education (up to A Levels) and who leave school or finish the course after the 30th April. The discount is applicable until either the 1st November of that year or their 20th birthday (which ever comes first).

Resident under 20 and still at school application form.

Youth Training

A person under 25 undertaking training through arrangements made under the Employment and Training Act 1973.

Further information and how to make an application - Youth Training

Apprentices

A person is an apprentice provided that he or she is earning less than £160 per week, undertaking a training programme, and employed for learning a trade or profession leading to a qualification accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

Further information and how to make an application - Apprentices

Persons in Detention

This applies to people detained by an order of court, e.g. prison, hospital or on remand. The discount would not apply if the detainment were due to the non-payment of Council Tax or default in paying a fine.

Grounds of being a person in detention application form.

Severely Mentally Impaired

For the purpose of Council Tax the definition is: "… a person is severely mentally impaired if he/she has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent." A certificate from the General Practitioner will be obtained and in addition the person must be in receipt of a certain qualifying benefit e.g. Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance. A comprehensive list of qualifying benefits is listed on the application form.

Grounds of severe mental impairment application form.

Care Worker

You must provide care or support through a connection with the Crown, a charity or a local authority and:

a. be employed for at least 24 hours a week

b. paid no more than £36 per week and

c. Be resident where the care is given or in the premises that have been provided for the better performance of the work.

Carer

You must be resident in the property for which you are providing care for a person who is entitled to one of the following state benefits:

a. a higher rate attendance allowance;

b. the highest rate of the care component of a disability living allowance;

c. the appropriately increased rate of disablement pension;

d. an increase in a constant attendance allowance.

e. Provide care for at least 35 hours a week on average.

(This discount in not applicable where the carer is the spouse of the other or where they live together as man and wife)

Care Workers application form.

Residents of Hostels

Accommodation for the homeless is disregarded where it is not self-contained units and used for persons of no fixed abode. (Please phone the Council Tax Manager directly on 01932 425417 for further information).

Members of Religious Communities

This discount is for members of religious communities where their principal occupation is prayer, contemplation, education or the relief of suffering. The applicant must have no income (with the exception of any occupational pension due to former employment) or capital of their own. Such persons must be dependant upon the community for their material needs.

Grounds of being a member of a religious community application form.

If you wish to apply for a reduction/exemption on the grounds that you are one of the following (or a dependant of one), please phone the Council Tax Manager directly on 01932 425417 for further information and an application form.

Members of International Headquarters and Defence Organisations

This relates to any person who is a member and designated to the International Headquarters or a Defence Organisation Act 1964, and to their dependants.

Members of Visiting Forces

This relates to a person who has a relevant association within the Visiting Forces Act 1952. They must be a member of that force, or a member of a civilian component.

A dependant of a member provided that they are not a British citizen or are not ordinarily resident in the UK.

Persons with Diplomatic Privilege or Immunity

Introduced from 1st April 1997 for persons on whom the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964, the Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1966, and the Consular Relations Act 1968 confer privileges and immunities or the Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland (Immunities and Privileges) Order 1985.