Information about your council tax bill

For example, every year we:

• empty over 6 million rubbish bins and 6 million recycling bins
• recycle and compost over 100,000 tonnes of material from kerbside collections and household waste recycling centres
• support 77 schools and colleges 
• invest in our leisure centres
• provide adult and children social care services for the most vulnerable people in our community.

Council tax is also made up of charges for the police, fire service, town and parish councils and the Charter Trust for the City of Durham.

This year's council tax bill

This year we need to raise council tax by 2.99 per cent. Your bill also includes a 2 per cent adult social care precept, in line with government guidelines (this money can only be spent on adult social care).

More information about council tax and budgets for the current year is available in the following leaflets:

• Your guide to council tax 2019/2020 (PDF, 3.9mb)
• Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue council tax information 2019/2020 (PDF, 1.0mb)
• Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner council tax summary 2019/2020 (PDF, 371.6kb)

How we calculate council tax

See Council tax bands and how much you pay to understand how we calculate your council tax.

Get money off your council tax bill

You may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of council tax you pay, depending on your circumstances:

• Council Tax Reduction Scheme - if you are on a low income and have less than £16,000 savings, you may be able to claim this
• Single person discount - claim 25% discount if you live on your own
• Money off council tax for severe mental disability
• Money off council tax for disabled people
• Money off council tax for care leavers
• Money off council tax for students and student nurses
• Money off council tax for apprentices and National Traineeship trainees
• Properties exempt from council tax

See Get money off your council tax bill for a full list of council tax discounts.

Support if you are struggling to pay

If you're having problems paying instalments on time, speak to us as soon as you can. We'll look to see if you are eligible for any of the above discounts, or consider whether you are eligible for Council tax hardship relief. Also see our benefits and support information.

Save time - do it online

Register for secure access to your council tax account online and you'll be able to view your information at any time without needing to keep track of or store paper bills. See View your council tax account online.

If you think your bill is not correct

You can make an appeal about council tax if you think your band is incorrect, or if you think your bill is calculated incorrectly. For example, if you think you should be receiving a discount or exemption, or if you think you're not the person who should be paying the council tax bill.