RESIDENTS in East Devon are due to receive an information book on their council tax.

RESIDENTS in East Devon are due to receive an information book on their council tax.

East Devon District Council is distributing the booklet, What do I get for my Money, which gives details about the amount being asked for and what the money pays for.

The information comes as council tax bills for 2010-11 are being sent to properties - in a bid to tackle the number of residents calling the council at a busy time of year.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, EDDC's portfolio holder resources, said: "The booklet contains a great deal of handy information for people living in the district.

"The East Devon pages make it clear how much of your money is spent directly by EDDC on providing and improving services in this district.

"For example, a Band D council tax payer will be paying �121.78 this year - that's just �2.34 a week - and we think this shows what good value council tax payers get in East Devon."

There are direct lines for council tax and benefit enquiries. However, with some 60,000 bills issued, the first week or so will bring a high level of enquiries.

An EDDC spokesman said: "Your call is important to us, but we expect to experience above average call volumes in the immediate period after bills are received. So, we would ask customers to please be patient and bear with us."

The booklet is produced jointly by EDDC and its partner councils in Devon, together with the police and fire authorities.

The A5 booklet that accompanies this year's bills explains where the money goes and makes it easier for householders to understand the charging system and the many ways in which people can get help with payments.

The booklet has 40 pages of facts and figures, diagrams and pictures, and covers various facets of council tax - from who receives the money, to how it is spent, and from what each parish will pay, to how people on a low income can receive help.