What Council Tax Helps to Pay For

The money raised through council tax, together with revenue from business rate payers, revenue support grant provided by the Government and income from Council services, is used to pay for the services provided by the Council.

These services include:

Education
Social Services
Highways
Refuse Collection / Disposal
Housing
Trading Standards
Planning
Economic Regeneration
Environmental Health
Car Parking
CCTV
Crime Prevention
Libraries
Arts, Leisure and Recreation
Markets
Tourism
Registrars
Parks and Cemeteries

Parts of the council tax are set by Durham Constabulary, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority and by some parish councils with some of the money raised going towards the services provided by these authorities.

Your bill will show what proportion of the total charge is raised by each organisation.