July 7, 2015 3.47 pm
This story is over 81 months old
Lincoln council cracks down on single person tax discount abuse
Tax review: City of Lincoln Council is launching a comprehensive review of its single person tax discount, which it believes may have been fraudulently claimed by some residents.
City Hall, off Orchard Street in Lincoln | Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The City of Lincoln Council is launching a comprehensive review of its single person tax discount, which it believes may have been fraudulently claimed by some residents.
An estimated 16,000 households in the city with only one adult resident currently receive a 25% council tax discount, working out at more than £4.4 million in the last financial year.
Single Person Discount is available for householders who are the only person aged over 18 living in a property.
The council will soon begin comparing its council tax information with other databases to identify those cases where more than one adult is living at an address and a discount is still being claimed.
People claiming Single Person Discount will be sent a form within the next few weeks to confirm or amend their circumstances.
Those who fail to return the form or deliberately provide false information to the council will be fined £70.
A number of council tax exemptions exist for full-time students, some apprentices, care workers and student nurses.
This means that some residents may be entitled to the Single Person Discount even though they live with another adult.
Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of the city council, said: “It is a statutory requirement for council taxpayers to tell us within 21 days if they think they should no longer qualify for a discount.
“If you receive a discount you think you should not receive, this is your chance to tell us before we contact you.
“We are obliged to amend any records we find to be incorrect back to the date of the change. This means householders do not benefit from withholding information from us and it makes the system fairer for everyone.
“It could mean some households will find they have a considerable amount of council tax arrears to pay.
“While we are cracking down on the incorrect discounts granted, we are still keen to make sure that everyone gets the discounts to which they are entitled. Taxpayers should contact us if they think they qualify for any discounts and exemptions.”
More information about the available discounts and exemptions can be found on the city council’s website.
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A new mobile app has been created as a free digital version of The Little Book of Stamford with a guide to everything you need to know about the Lincolnshire town, including where to shop and places to eat and drink.
What’s on in the town, where to park and more are also included in The Little App of Stamford app. It is free to download from Apple’s App Store and an android version is planned for release on June 1.
The app was created by Stamford Digital in association with #ShopStamford, a hashtag set up five years ago to promote and support the town’s retailers and traders.
The app includes everything you need to know about Stamford, including where to shop, places to eat and drink, what’s on in town, and more.
Tim Baker, who lives in Bourne with his wife and two children, is the founder and managing director of website and app firm Stamford Digital which launched in September 2018.
Tim said: “I picked up The Little Book of Stamford and instantly loved what it stood for and the design. It is a great tool to help visitors and shoppers navigate Stamford, as well as helping local businesses to raise their profile.
“I thought by making the book available digitally through this mobile app, I could help compliment what it aims to achieve.”
The app is a free digital version of The Little Book of Stamford.
Sarah Sewell, who is the chairperson of #ShopStamford and owner of Energy Clothing, added: “The app is going to be a great add-on to the book and map we have already produced. It is yet another platform we can use to promote the wonderful independent businesses we have here in Stamford, so people can discover what we have to offer.”
Multi-million pound works to refurbish the now empty Lincoln Central Market have now begun.
The last traders left the building on April 15 (see their new locations here) ahead of the works to the Grade II listed market after investment from Historic England through the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme.
The works will include the partial demolition and construction of a new two-storey extension to the south of the building (at Butchers Corridor). This will accommodate a new commercial unit, planned to be a restaurant, with a roof terrace.
A centrally located food court will also be housed inside the revamped building, while City Square and Sincil Street will be re-paved and the roof on the existing market building will be replaced. New unisex and accessibly toilets will also be installed.
The works being carried out by local construction company Lindum are expected to be complete by the end of 2023.
Some £5.9 million investment has also been earmarked for the project thanks to a successful bid for funding through the Be Lincoln Town Deal, which has seen £19 million awarded to the city by government to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth.
Design for a potential new-look Lincoln Central Market. | Photo: COLC
The proposed scheme is for the major regeneration of the Central Market building, which will include:
The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
A new mezzanine floor and relocation of the existing butcher and fishmonger stalls into the main market hall under the mezzanine incorporating its own glazed entrance
Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
New heating and lighting in the building
Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls.
Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities
It is also proposed to repave and enhance external areas in City Square and Sincil Street to encourage the evening economy, with space for outdoor dining by the waterway and events.
The addition of the mezzanine level will allow for additional seating and flexible uses. The creation of the standalone restaurant unit within the new two storey extension, will create a further ‘destination’ dining space as well as supporting the evening economy.
Some pretty major works are planned for Lincoln’s Central Market. | Image: Daniel Ionescu for The Lincolnite
Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said: “The vision for Central Market for some time has been to design a building of destination, an attractive and modern retailing and leisure space, offering a mix of stalls and delivering a place where people want to visit and dwell rather than simply pass by en-route to the High Street or the Transport links in the city.
“Thanks to funding from government’s Towns Fund and High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), we now have the opportunity for major investment into the market to create a sustainable future for this important historical asset, which will in turn support the diversification and recovery of the High Street.”
The market was first built in 1937 to the design of architect Robert Atkinson and incorporates the relocated façade of the original 1737 butter market, which was located at St Peters at Arches in Lincoln.
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