If you have a question about one of our services, look for the answer in the relevant section of the site. Use the site search or services A to Z to find what you are looking for.
There are many things that you can request, report or check online without needing to speak to us. If you see something that needs to be fixed, removed, or investigated, please report it to us using our online forms.
If you cannot find what you want on the website, or want to talk to us, you’ll find appropriate contact details on each webpage.
We work with national and local organisations to deliver some of our services. Read about responsibilities of other organisations.
Find help
Council Tax
Changes in circumstance or applying for discounts or exemptions for Council Tax can be done online; so please choose from one of the following options to tell us about a change or to make an application.
- Download a copy of your bill through the Council Tax portal (My Account), which can be used for your own records or to provide to third parties as proof of residence
- Apply for a Council Tax exemption
- Find out about discounts or disregard status and apply online
- Get money off your Council Tax bill, for example if you are a student, or you live alone
- Tell us if you have moved house through our online portal, even if you have moved overseas
- View your Council Tax account, find out ways to pay, and get information about refunds
- Request a refund through our online form
- Make a payment through your account or through our payments page
Benefits
Most benefits are now managed through Universal Credit. Our benefits webpage provides links to benefits services and advice on benefits.
Our benefits webpage explains what support is available as well as providing the links to enable you to apply. Information and links to apply for a council tax reduction can also be found on these pages.
If you do need to apply to Cambridge City Council for benefits, including council tax reduction, this can only be done online using the link highlighted above.
Housing repairs
Our housing repairs webpage allows you to request a repair, and also provides details about what repairs can be requested and how quickly they will be carried out. It also highlights what a tenant is responsible for and what the council is responsible for.
Waste, streets and parks
- Find your next bin collection day
- Request a new or replacement household bin
- Report a missed bin collection. You must report the missed bin collection after 3:30pm on the day it was due to be collected.
- Request a bulky waste collection
- Visit our street and park maintenance pages to report a problem, including graffiti, litter and a damaged play area.
Environmental health
- If you are a private tenant, our 'Private rented accommodation' webpages provide a large amount of information and guidance
- If you are enquiring about a house in multiple occupation (HMO) our licensing of houses in multiple occupation webpage provides information for tenants and landlords
- Report pollution, noise or nuisance issues. The information on our website will help you to identify the issue and who you should contact to resolve it.
- Report a problem with a food premises, including sightings of pests, poor food-handling practices, food contamination and more.
Licensing
- Apply for a licence within Cambridge City Council
- If you want to ask about a licence, email us at licensing@cambridge.gov.uk, with ‘public register query’ in the subject line.
- Cambridge City Council: Licensing Act 2003
Do you want to make a complaint against a licensee? Here are the main licensing complaint links:
Planning
The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning service works on behalf of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Contact our customer service centre
If you cannot find the information you need on our website and you’re not sure which department you need to speak to, contact our customer service centre.
You can also:
- phone us on 01223 457000
- We record phone calls to make sure we’re giving you our best service – read our privacy notice for more information.
- dial 18001 before the telephone number to use Text Relay
- contact us in sign language using Sign Live
We can help you most quickly if you phone us, but if you prefer to email, we’ll do our best to respond within four working hours.
The centre is open for appointments only, from 9am to 5.15pm, Wednesday to Friday.
Contact by telephone is Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.15pm - call us and one of our advisors will assess your needs.
If you can’t send documents to us online, our address is Cambridge City Council, PO Box 700, Cambridge CB1 0JH. Add the department or service name at the start if you know it.
Media enquiries
Please contact communications@cambridge.gov.uk with any media enquiries.
Emergencies
Outside of office hours (9am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday) and on public holidays, you can phone us in an emergency on 0300 303 8389.
An emergency might be finding broken glass or discarded needles on the street, a dangerous tree, or a stray dog.
If you’re a council tenant, an emergency might be unsafe electrics or loss of electricity, water, or gas. It could also be leaking water, a blocked drain or toilet (if there is no other toilet available), or an insecure lock.
