The Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Council Tax Reduction Scheme) Regulations 1996

Statutory Instruments

1996 No. 309

COUNCIL TAX, ENGLAND AND WALES

WALES

The Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Council Tax Reduction Scheme) Regulations 1996

Made

15th February 1996

Laid before Parliament

19th February 1996

Coming into force

11th March 1996

The Secretary of State for Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 13 and 113(1) and (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992(1) and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Council Tax Reduction Scheme) Regulations 1996 and shall come into force on 11th March 1996.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Local Government Finance Act l992;

“the 1994 Act” means the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994(2);

“the Benefit Regulations” means the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992(3);

“billing authority” means a Welsh billing authority;

“Caldey” means Caldey Island and St Margaret’s Island in the county of Pembrokeshire;

“chargeable dwelling” means a chargeable dwelling in Wales;

“community area” means—

(a)

an area which is co-extensive with the area, as at 1st January 1996, of a community, and a community area identified in the Schedule to these Regulations by the name of a community in a county or county borough means the area which is co-extensive with the area of the community of that name on that date, or

(b)

Caldey;

“county” means a county in Wales established under the 1994 Act;

“county borough” means a county borough in Wales established under the 1994 Act; and

“section 10”, “section 11” and “section 12” mean section 10 of the Act, section 11 of the Act and section 12 of the Act, respectively.

(2) In these Regulations, in relation to an amount a person is liable to pay in respect of council tax—

“the appropriate reduction” means the amount (if any) prescribed in the Schedule to these Regulations in relation to the relevant community area and the relevant valuation band;

“the relevant community area” means the community area in which the relevant chargeable dwelling is situated; and

“the relevant chargeable dwelling” means the chargeable dwelling in respect of which the person is liable to pay the amount.

(3) In these Regulations, in relation to an amount a person is liable to pay in respect of council tax, any reference to the relevant valuation band is a reference to the valuation band shown as applicable to the relevant chargeable dwelling—

(a) in the billing authority’s valuation list; or

(b) if no such list is in force—

(i) except in a case to which paragraph (4) below applies, in the copy of the information supplied to the authority under section 22A(8) of the Act(4);

(ii) in a case to which paragraph (4) below applies, in information which for the purposes of this paragraph is relevant information.

(4) This paragraph applies where the listing officer supplies the authority with information relating to a property which—

(a) is recorded in a valuation list after 31st October 1995, and

(b) differs from the information referred to in paragraph (3)(b)(i) above;

and such information is relevant information for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b)(ii) above.

(5) Any reference in these Regulations to a person who is liable to pay to a billing authority, in respect of a particular dwelling, an amount in respect of council tax (whether his liability is sole, or joint and several), includes, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a person who in the opinion of the authority will be so liable; and references to the amount which a person is liable to pay shall be construed accordingly.

Calculation of amount payable

3.—(1) Where—

(a) a person is liable to pay an amount (“the amount”) to a billing authority in respect of council tax for a day in the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996,

(b) the amount is determined under section 10, and

(c) the relevant chargeable dwelling is situated in a community area named in the Schedule to these Regulations,

the amount shall be reduced by deducting from it an amount calculated in accordance with the formula—

where—

• R is the appropriate reduction;

• D is the number of days in the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996.

(2) If the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (l)(a) above is determined under section 10 read with section 11 or section 12, the deduction required by paragraph (1) above shall be made from the original amount.

(3) In paragraph (2) above “the original amount” is the amount which would be determined under section 10 read without section 11 and section 12.

(4) Where a determination awarding council tax benefit under the Benefit Regulations is effective as regards the chargeable dwelling and a day in respect of which a person is liable to pay the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (l)(a) above in respect of that dwelling for that day, the amount which he is so liable to pay shall be—

(a) the amount ascertained in accordance with paragraph (1), or paragraphs (1) and (2) above, as the case may be, for that day

(b) less the amount of his council tax benefit for that day.

Appeals

4.—(1) Where a billing authority makes a decision relating to the application or operation of these Regulations in relation to an individual, the authority shall, if requested in writing by the person so affected, provide him with a written statement of its decision and the reason for it; and any such statement shall be sent within 14 days from the date on which it is requested or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

(2) No appeal may be made to a valuation tribunal in respect of any decision of a billing authority relating solely to the application or operation of these Regulations; but a person aggrieved by such a decision may appeal to a review board appointed by the billing authority and constituted as mentioned in regulation 70(3) of the Benefit Regulations.

Notice of appeal

5.  An appellant shall give notice of appeal under these Regulations in writing to the billing authority within 4 weeks of the date on which the statement referred to in regulation 4(1) above is sent by the billing authority to the appellant.

Procedure for appeals

6.—(1) Regulations 71(2) to (9) and 72(4) and (5) of the Benefit Regulations shall apply with the necessary modifications for the purposes of an appeal under these Regulations as they apply for the purposes of a further review.

(2) A billing authority shall comply with any decision of its review board.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Wales

Gwilym Jones

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Welsh Office

15th February 1996

Regulations 2 and 3

SCHEDULE PRESCRIBED AMOUNTS OF REDUCTION

Community area(s)	Amount prescribed (appropriate reduction) (£) Valuation Band:
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
In the county borough of BLAENAU GWENT:
Abertillery, Beaufort, Brynmawr, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Llanhilleth, Nantyglo and Blaina, and Tredegar	157.55	183.81	210.07	236.33	288.85	341.37	393.88	472.66
In the county borough of BRIDGEND:
Brackla, Bridgend, Cefn Cribwr, Coity Higher, Coychurch Higher, Coychurch Lower, Cynffig, Garw Valley, Laleston, Llangynwyd Lower, Llangynwyd Middle, Maesteg, Merthyr Mawr, Newcastle Higher, Ogmore Valley, Pencoed, Porthcawl, St. Bride’s Minor, and Ynysawdre	27.24	31.78	36.32	40.86	49.94	59.02	68.10	81.72
In the county of CAERNARFONSHIRE AND MERIONETHSHIRE:
Aber, Bangor, Bethesda, Betws Garmon, Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, Llanberis, Llanddeiniolen, Llandwrog, Llandygai, Llanllechid, Llanllyfni, Llanrug, Llanwnda, Pentir, Waunfawr, and Y Felinheli,	35.70	41.65	47.60	53.55	65.45	77.35	89.25	107.10
In the county of CAERNARFONSHIRE AND MERIONETHSHIRE:
Aberdaron, Beddgelert, Botwnnog, Buan, Clynnog, Criccieth, Dolbenmaen, Llanaelhaearn, Llanbedrog, Llanengan, Llannor, Llanystumdwy, Nefyn, Pistyll, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, and Tudweiliog	28.26	32.97	37.68	42.39	51.81	61.23	70.65	84.78
In the county of CAERNARFONSHIRE AND MERIONETHSHIRE:
Aberdovey, Arthog, Bala, Barmouth, Brithdir and Llanfachreth, Bryn-crug, Corris, Dolgellau, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Ffestiniog, Ganllwyd, Harlech, Llanbedr, Llandderfel, Llanegryn, Llanelltyd, Llanfair, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, Llanfrothen, Llangelynin, Langywer, Llanuwchllyn, Llanycil, Maentwrog, Mawddwy, Pennal, Penrhyndeudraeth, Talsarnau, Trawsfynydd, and Tywyn	27.01	31.52	36.02	40.52	49.52	58.53	67.53	81.04
In the county borough of CAERPHILLY:
Abercarn, Argoed, Blackwood, Cefn Fforest, Crosskeys, Crumlin, Newbridge, Pengam, Penmaen, Pontllanfraith, Risca, and Ynysddu	81.90	95.55	109.20	122.85	150.15	177.45	204.75	245.70
In the county borough of CAERPHILLY:
Aber Valley, Bargoed, Bedwas and Machen, Caerphilly, Darran Valley, Gelligaer, Llanbradach, Maesycwmmer, Nelson, New Tredegar, Penyrheol, Rhymney, Rudry, and Van	33.52	39.11	44.69	50.28	61.45	72.63	83.80	100.56
In the county of CARDIFF:
Adamsdown, Butetown, Caerau, Canton, Castle, Cathays, Cyncoed, Ely, Fairwater, Gabalfa, Grangetown, Heath, Lisvane, Llandaff, Llandaff North, Llanishen, Llanrumney, Pentwyn, Plasnewydd, Radyr, Rhiwbina, Riverside, Roath, Rumney, St. Fagans, St. Mellons, Splott, Tongwynlais, Trowbridge, and Whitchurch	54.60	63.70	72.80	81.90	100.10	118.30	136.50	163.80
In the county of CARDIFF:
Pentyrch	20.77	24.23	27.69	31.15	38.07	44.99	51.92	62.30
In the county of CARDIGANSHIRE:
Aberaeron, Aberporth, Aberystwyth, Beulah, Blaenrheidol, Borth, Cardigan, Ceulanamaesmawr, Ciliau Aeron, Dyffryn Arth, Faenor, Geneu'r Glyn, Henfynyw, Lampeter, Llanarth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanddewi Brefi, Llandyfriog, Llandysiliogogo, Llandysul, Llanfair Clydogau, Llanfarian, Llanfihangel Ystrad, Llangeitho, Llangoedmor, Llangrannog, Llangwyryfon, Llangybi, Llangynfelyn, Llanilar, Llanllwchaiarn, Llanrhystyd, Llansantffraid, Llanwenog, Llanwnnen, Lledrod, Melindwr, Nantcwnlle, New Quay, Penbryn, Pontarfynach, Tirymynach, Trawsgoed, Trefeurig, Tregaron, Troedyraur, Y Ferwig, Ysbyty Ystwyth, Ysgubor-y-coed, Ystrad Fflur, and Ystrad Meurig	93.83	109.47	125.11	140.75	172.03	203.31	234.58	281.50
In the county of CARMARTHENSHIRE:
Abergwili, Abernant, Bronwydd, Carmarthen, Cenarth, Cilymaenllwyd, Clynderwen, Cynwyl Elfed, Eglwyscummin, Gorslas, Henllanfallteg, Laugharne Township, Llanarthney, Llanboidy, Llanddarog, Llanddowror, Llandyfaelog, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Llanfihangel Rhos-y-Corn, Llangain, Llangeler, Llangunnor, Llangyndeyrn, Llangynin, Llangynog, Llanllawddog, Llanllwni, Llanpumsaint, Llansteffan, Llanwinio, Llanybydder, Llanycrwys, Meidrim, Newcastle Emlyn, Newchurch and Merthyr, Pencarreg, Pendine, St. Clears, St. Ishmael, Trelech, and Whitland	3.82	4.46	5.09	5.73	7.00	8.28	9.55	11.46
In the county of DENBIGHSHIRE:
Cefnmeiriadog, and Trefnant	58.21	67.92	77.62	87.32	106.72	126.13	145.53	174.64
In the county of DENBIGHSHIRE:
Aberwheeler, Betws Gwerfil Goch, Bryneglwys, Clocaenog, Corwen, Cyffylliog, Cynwyd, Denbigh, Derwen, Efenechtyd, Gwyddelwern, Henllan, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llandegla, Llandrillo, Llandyrnog, Llanelidan, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres, Llangollen, Llangollen Rural, Llangynhafal, Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, Llantysilio, Llanynys, Nantglyn, and Ruthin	66.53	77.62	88.71	99.80	121.98	144.16	166.33	199.60
In the county of DENBIGHSHIRE:
Bodelwyddan, Bodfari, Cwm, Dyserth, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, St. Asaph, Tremeirchion, and Waen,	59.51	69.43	79.35	89.27	109.11	128.95	148.78	178.54
In the county of FLINTSHIRE:
Broughton, Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Hawarden, Higher Kinnerton, Hope, Llanfynydd, Penyffordd, Queensferry, Saltney, Sealand, Shotton, and Treuddyn	10.41	12.15	13.88	15.62	19.09	22.56	26.03	31.24
In the county of FLINTSHIRE:
Argoed, Bagillt, Brynford, Caerwys, Cilcain, Flint, Gwernaffield, Gwernymynydd, Halkyn, Holywell, Leeswood, Llanasa, Mold, Mostyn, Nannerch, Nercwys, Northop, Northop Hall, Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor, Whitford, and Ysceifiog	6.59	7.69	8.79	9.89	12.09	14.29	16.48	19.78
In the county borough of MERTHYR TYDFIL:
Bedlinog, Cyfarthfa, Dowlais, Gurnos, Merthyr Vale, Pant, Park, Penydarren, Town, Treharris, Troed-y-rhiw, and Vaynor	43.69	50.98	58.26	65.54	80.10	94.67	109.23	131.08
In the county borough of NEATH AND PORT TALBOT:
Cilybebyll, Cwmllynfell, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Pontardawe, and Ystalyfera	71.09	82.94	94.79	106.64	130.34	154.04	177.73	213.28
In the county borough of NEATH AND PORT TALBOT:
Blaengwrach, Blaenhonddan, Briton Ferry, Clyne, Coedffranc, Crynant, Dyffryn Clydach, Glynneath, Neath, Onllwyn, Pelenna, Resolven, Seven Sisters, and Tonna	55.87	65.19	74.50	83.81	102.43	121.06	139.68	167.62
In the county borough of NEATH AND PORT TALBOT:
Aberavon, Baglan, Baglan Bay, Bryn, Cwmavon, Glyncorrwg, Margam, Margam Moors, Port Talbot, Sandfields East, Sandfields West, and Tai Bach,	56.74	66.20	75.65	85.11	104.02	122.94	141.85	170.22
In the county borough of RHONDDA, CYNON, TAFF:
Aberaman, Abercynon, Aberdare, Cwmbach, Hirwaun, Llwydcoed, Mountain Ash, Penrhiwceiber, Pen-y-waun, Rhigos, and Ynysybwl	100.74	117.53	134.32	151.11	184.69	218.27	251.85	302.22
In the county borough of RHONDDA, CYNON, TAFF:
Cwm Clydach, Cymmer, Ferndale, Llwyn-y-pia, Maerdy, Pentre, Pen-y-graig, Porth, Tonypandy, Trealaw, Trehafod, Treherbert, Treorchy, Tylorstown, Ynyshir, and Ystra	91.17	106.36	121.56	136.75	167.14	197.53	227.92	273.50
In the county borough of RHONDDA, CYNON, TAFF:
Gilfach Goch, Llanharan, Llanharry, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fardre, Pont-y-clun, Pontypridd, Taffs Well, and Tonyrefail	110.23	128.60	146.97	165.34	202.08	238.82	275.57	330.68
In the county borough of TORFAEN:
Abersychan, Blaenavon, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran Central, Fairwater, Henllys, Llantarnam, Llanyrafon, New Inn, Panteg, Pen Tranch, Ponthir, Pontnewydd, Pontymoile, Trevethin, and Upper Cwmbran	26.21	30.58	34.95	39.32	48.06	56.80	65.53	78.64
In the county borough of WREXHAM:
Ceiriog Ucha, Chirk, Glyntraian, and Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog	4.91	5.73	6.55	7.37	9.01	10.65	12.28	14.74

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations set out a scheme for reducing the liability of certain individuals in Wales to pay council tax for the financial year beginning 1st April 1996, the first full financial year for the new local authorities established under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.

Regulation 3 provides for the reduction of a person’s liability to be determined by reference to the appropriate reduction, if any, for the community area and the relevant valuation band for the chargeable dwelling.

Regulations 4 to 6 provide for appeals regarding the application or operation of these Regulations by billing authorities.

The Schedule lists the community areas in relation to which a reduction is prescribed, together with the appropriate reduction for each council tax valuation band.

(1)

1992 c. 14; see section 116(1) for the definition of prescribed.

(2)

1994 c. 19.

(3)

S.I. 1992/1814; to which amendments have been made which are not relevant to these Regulations.

(4)

Section 22A was inserted by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (c. 19), section 36.