The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2013

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“the 1992 Act”), enables the Welsh Ministers to make regulations in connection with council tax reduction schemes. Paragraph 6 of Schedule 1B to the 1992 Act enables the Welsh Ministers to prescribe by regulations a default scheme. The default scheme is to take effect, in respect of dwellings situated in the area of a billing authority, if the authority fails to make its own scheme in accordance with any duty imposed by virtue of regulations made by the Welsh Ministers. If there is no duty to introduce a scheme by virtue of regulations made by the Welsh Ministers, the scheme provided for within these regulations will not take effect.

The default scheme prescribed by the Welsh Ministers is set out in the Schedule to these Regulations. Parts 1 and 2 contain introductory provisions and definitions of key words and phrases. Part 3 and Schedule 1 contains the procedure for reduction applications and appeals. Parts 4 and 5 specify the classes of person entitled and not entitled to a reduction under the scheme, respectively.

Parts 6 to 8 and Schedules 2 and 3 set out matters relevant to determining eligibility for a reduction and the amount of reduction under the scheme.

Part 9 and Schedules 4 to 9 set out how income and capital of the applicant and others is treated in calculating eligibility for a reduction, including in cases where an applicant or partner has an award of universal credit. Part 10 provides for the application of the scheme to students. Part 11 provides for extended reductions in certain circumstances and Part 12 sets out the period of entitlement and how a change in circumstances affects any reduction.

Part 13 of the scheme provides for the making of an application for a reduction. Part 14 sets out the time within which an authority must make its decision on the application and provides for notification of the decision. Part 15 makes provision about the award or payment of a reduction, and Schedule 11 sets out the matters which must be included within notifications.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Local Government Finance and Public Service Performance Division, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.