Council Tax Spending Enquiry
Case reference FOI2026/00650
Received 19 March 2026
Published 27 April 2026
Request
I am requesting the following information, in accordance to the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
1. Details of how Council Tax funds/pound value amounts have been allocated to the following;
a) Social Care: Funding adult social care, mental health services, and support for families.
b) Environmental Services: Rubbish collection, recycling, and street cleaning.
c) Public Safety: Police services, fire services, and crime prevention initiatives.
d) Infrastructure & Transport: Road maintenance, street lighting, and, in some areas, transport services.
e) Education & Community: Schools, children's centres, libraries, and parks.
f) Administrative Costs: Local council administration, planning, and development services
2. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.
3. Empty Homes: Number of properties charged the empty homes premium.
4. Credits/Refunds: Lists of unclaimed council tax credits (usually for businesses/charities).
5. Arrears/Recovery: Number of liability orders issued and total council tax in arrears.
6. Policy & Procedures: Documents on how decisions are made regarding discounts or premiums.
7. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.
Response
We have considered your request for information.
1. Details of how Council Tax funds/pound value amounts have been allocated to the following;
a) Social Care: Funding adult social care, mental health services, and support for families.
b) Environmental Services: Rubbish collection, recycling, and street cleaning.
c) Public Safety: Police services, fire services, and crime prevention initiatives.
d) Infrastructure & Transport: Road maintenance, street lighting, and, in some areas, transport services.
e) Education & Community: Schools, children's centres, libraries, and parks.
f) Administrative Costs: Local council administration, planning, and development services
The categories you list of Social Care, Public Safety, Infrastructure & Transport, Education and Community are not the responsibility of Guildford Borough Council and we do not hold the data. You may wish to redirect your enquiry to: Contact us - Surrey County Council or Contact us - Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey
With regards to Guildford Borough Council’s finance data this is published here: Council budgets and spending - Guildford Borough Council and Council tax financial information 2026-27 - Guildford Borough Council
2. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.
10,682*.
(*includes balances £0.01 upwards)
3. Empty Homes: Number of properties charged the empty homes premium.
*2024/25: 217.
*2025/26: 269.
(* as reported in Council Tax base - as at October each year - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-taxbase-statistics)
4. Credits/Refunds: Lists of unclaimed council tax credits (usually for businesses/charities).
34 as of 18th April 2026.
5. Arrears/Recovery: Number of liability orders issued and total council tax in arrears.
2024/25: 4,754.
2025/26: 4,258.
6. Policy & Procedures: Documents on how decisions are made regarding discounts or premiums.
Discounts and premiums are calculated and awarded in-line with the legislation. We do not hold a separate policy document.
7. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.
10,682*.
(*includes balances £0.01 upwards)
Documents
This is Guildford Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.