NEW tax bills will be dropping through letterboxes in the Vale of Evesham as a result of the capping of the Fire Authority budget by the Government.

Wychavon District Council is required by law to send out new bills to show the reduced level which is just £3.73 for a band D property for the full year, so council taxpayers will only see a very small reduction in heir monthly instalments.

Payments will be automatically adjusted for those paying by direct debit.

For payments made by any other methods there will be a need to vary the instalments to those shown on the new bill.

Residents in receipt of council tax benefit will have it recalculated automatically, but in most cases the reduction will be offset by an equal amount of benefit, which means that the amount to be paid remains the same.

Head of revenues and housing Liz Dyde said: "Wychavon very much regrets any confusion or inconvenience this re-billing exercise may cause for what is a very small reduction in the overall bill."

Anyone with queries or requiring further information can call the revenues and housing section on 01386 565130 or call at Community Contact Centres in Evesham or Pershore.