Council Tax 2018/19 - Wigan Council
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Council Tax
2018/19
TOWN HALL
WiganCouncilOnline wigancouncil @wigancouncil wigan.gov.uk1 2
Foreword by the Leader of the Council, About Council Tax
Lord Peter Smith
Welcome to this year’s Council Tax booklet. Council Tax is a tax on residential The Valuation Office Agency decides
dwellings, not people. the band not us. You can appeal
I’m delighted to be able to tell you against your property’s band if you
that thanks to The Deal we’ve been Each year we send a Council Tax
have moved into the property in the
able to freeze Wigan’s element of bill to every domestic property in
last six months or there has been a
Council Tax for the fifth year running. the borough, whether it’s a house,
change in the building or physical
bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile
When we created The Deal five years However unlike most neighbouring state of the local area.
home or houseboat. Each dwelling
ago our intention was to transform authorities, we have not increased is put into one of the eight bands You can contact them at Valuation
council services and our relationship the charges for any other Wigan below, based on what it would have Office Agency, Manchester Valuation
with you to make sure our borough service so we have again achieved cost to buy on the open market on 1 Office, Portland Tower, Portland
was able to thrive in what was and the lowest Council Tax increase in April 1991. Street, Manchester, M1 3LD.
continues to be a very difficult the whole of Greater Manchester. Phone 03000 501 501
economic climate. Every year we set the Council Tax
We will have to continue to make www.voa.gov.uk
for each band. The amounts for
It’s been brilliant to see the amount some tough decisions but not 2018/2019 are below. The band For information about the council’s
of support we’ve had from residents, everyone will agree. I can assure given to your property is on the front income and spending visit www.
with lots of you saying you agree you that they are in the long term of your bill. wigan.gov.uk/incomeandspending
with the principles of The Deal. interests of the borough. One of
Because of your support not only those decisions was to move to
have we been able to save money three weekly bin collections. I know
but we’ve also been able to reduce at the beginning there were some
the amount of waste sent to landfill concerns but we’re getting some
through the new bin collection great feedback from people. As
arrangements. To thank you we’ve well as helping to keep Council
frozen Council Tax. Tax down, it is improving recycling
rates which is good news for Band Band Value Council Tax for 2018/19
Unfortunately the problems with the
the environment and our future
NHS and Adult Social Care continue A Up to £40,000 £1021.51
generations.
to spiral out of control as they face B £40,001 - £52,000 £1191.76
crisis point. The government has not
provided more money to deal with C £52,001 - £68,000 £1362.01
these issues and has instead told D £68,001 - £88,000 £1532.28
councils to impose a three per cent E £88,001 - £120,000 £1872.78
Council Tax rise. This is unfair on
areas like Wigan where Council Tax F £120,001 - £160,000 £2213.29
doesn’t raise as much as in the leafy G £160,001 - £320,000 £2553.79
suburbs but also unfair on many Lord Peter Smith of Leigh
H £320,001 and above £3064.56
struggling local people. Leader of Wigan Council3 4
Thank you for doing your part of The Deal
Through your support of The Deal, we’ve been able to freeze our service
element of Council Tax for the fifth year running. Recycle more, recycle right Be healthy and be active
Thank you for embracing the We want all our residents to
Based on Council GM Police GM Fire Adult Social Mayoral new bin collections. We have have the best possible start in
Band A
Services precept precept Care precept Total seen our recycling rate go life and live long and healthy
up by approximately 5% with lives. Working closely with our
2013 £796.74 £99.55 £38.42 £934.71 partners we launched a festival
an additional 1000 tonnes
of recycling collected since dedicated to improving residents’
2014 £794.76 £101.53 £38.42 £934.71 September 2017. That’s great health and wellbeing. We call
news and puts us on track to this Wellfest. As part of this, over
2015 £794.76 £101.53 £38.42 £934.71 meet the government’s 50% 9,000 pupils have taken part in
recycling target. the national Daily Mile initiative.
2016 £794.76 £104.87 £39.18 £15.89 £954.70
Help protect children and Support your local business
2017 £794.76 £108.20 £39.96 £40.21 £983.13 the vulnerable A big focus for us is to improve
Protecting children and the local economy and bring
2018 £794.76 £116.20 £39.96 £65.26 £5.33 £1021.51 vulnerable residents is everyone’s investment and jobs to the
business. We are grateful to all borough. We’d like to thank
Additional parish precepts will apply for properties in Haigh and Shevington
our residents who have helped all our residents for engaging
Adult Social Care precept GM Police us to make our borough a safer with our campaigns to support
This is a charge to cover the cost This is a charge levied on behalf of the place. Thanks to our adopters local businesses such as Super
of Adult Social Care services Greater Manchester Police Service. and foster carers, we were rated Saturday, which offers free
within councils due to the budget Outstanding by Ofsted in 2017 parking to support town centre
Mayoral precept
cuts being imposed by central and have taken the lead on a business and Love Your Local
This is a charge levied on behalf
government. regional adoption agency. Market fortnight.
of the Mayor to pay for the running
Council Services of the Mayor’s office and to meet
This covers council services such as the Mayor’s priorities in Greater
bins and recycling centres, schools Manchester which are to: Get online Get involved in your
and Start Well centres, street lights • Improve our public transport and Over 100,000 residents have community
and road repairs. ease congestion; signed up to MyAccount helping Over 1,900 volunteer hours have
• Protect our green spaces and us achieve our savings. Face been contributed to making
GM Fire Service develop affordable housing; to face contact and telephone our borough a better place
This is a charge levied on behalf of calls are more expensive than and we have supported 190
the Greater Manchester Fire Service. • Make Greater Manchester the UK’s
leading digital and green city; our digital channels. With our groups through The Deal for
• Eradicate homelessness. ReportIT app for mobile devices, Communities Investment Fund.
you can report a range of issues
on the go.5 6
Thank you for doing your part of The Deal
Deep funding reductions coupled This new way of working, which we Through The Deal...
with rising demand in children’s call The Deal, focused on driving
social services and adult social out demand through working with £125 million council savings LGC Digital Council of the year
care has created a perfect storm for residents. so far
councils across the country.
Through The Deal we stopped doing Improved healthy life
In 2012, your council faced the things to people, we started doing expectancy
3rd worst budget cuts nationally things with people. 50% increase in resident
with a reduction of £160m by 2020 satisfaction with the council
Rather than cutting budgets to the
according to the Institute for
third sector we instead invested in Improved school readiness
Fiscal Studies.
them to the tune of £9m. Lowest council tax increase in to 70%
It is only through The Deal, the
We realised our best community GM over 5 years
informal agreement between the
groups could deliver the traditional
council and residents, that we have Improved educational
council services we once did but in a
been able to achieve our savings attainment
much better way because they knew 82% of our residents agree with
targets year on year whilst protecting
their communities. and support the principles of
frontline services and increasing
resident satisfaction. Local swimming pools, libraries The Deal
The only Care Quality
and community centres are now Commission “OUTSTANDING”
We realised that closing a few
being run by the community for the Rated “GOOD” with areas of rated reablement service in the
libraries, changing bin collections
community. “OUTSTANDING” by Ofsted for
and reducing school crossing UK, supporting our residents’
patrols was merely surface dressing That’s why it’s a deal – it’s both safeguarding our children independence
and would not have closed a £160m sides working together to achieve
budget gap. our vision. We’ve transformed and
redesigned services around our One of lowest delayed transfers
Times Best Companies best of care and hospital admissions
residents with our residents - not just
large council to work for in the UK
cut them.7 8
When you may not have to pay Council Tax Ways to pay less Council Tax
You won’t have to pay if only the Use your MyAccount at The full Council Tax bill assumes that • Prisoners in detention (unless
following people occupy your www.wigan.gov.uk/MyAccount there are 2 or more adults living in a for non payment of fines or
property: to tell us if you think you qualify for property. Council Tax).
an exemption. Certain conditions
• Students, If you are the only adult living in your • Students in full time education.
may apply.
property your bill can be reduced
• Care Leaver up to the age of 21, • Diplomats and members of
You may not have to pay for your by 25%. We can also consider local
international organisations with
• People under the age of 18, or property whilst it is: discounts for other reasons as well.
headquarters in the UK (and their
• People who have a severe mental • Left empty by the owner or When we work out if you are entitled non British spouses).
impairment and would otherwise tenant, who was the last occupier, to a discount we don’t count these
• Members of religious
be liable to pay Council Tax. and who has moved to receive or people:
communities such as monks
provide personal care in either a
You may not have to pay for a limited • Children under 18. or nuns.
hospital or home elsewhere.
time if your property is not occupied
• People over 18 that still qualify for Certain qualifying conditions apply.
because it is: • Repossessed by a mortgage
Child Benefit.
company. People with disabilities
• Newly built and not yet occupied
• 18 or 19 year olds who leave
(no charge for 1 month); or • Empty because occupation is If you, or a person that lives with you,
school after 30 April are not
forbidden by law. has a disability you may qualify
• Substantially unfurnished (no counted until 1 November of the
for a reduction.
charge for 1 month); or • Waiting to be occupied by a same year.
minister of religion. Your home will need to have an extra
• Owned by a charity (exempt for 6 • People with a severe mental
bathroom, kitchen or other room
months). • The responsibility of a impairment.
that is used mainly to help with the
bankrupt’s trustee.
You may not have to pay for any • Apprentices. person’s disability. You can also
of the following types of properties • Left empty by a student owner qualify if the disabled person uses a
• Youth Training Trainees.
even if they are occupied: who lived in it immediately before wheelchair in the home.
leaving to study elsewhere. • Care Workers.
• Armed Forces’ accommodation. If you qualify we will work out your
• An empty caravan pitch or • Carers. Council Tax charge again using the
• Visiting Forces’ accommodation.
houseboat mooring. valuation band below the one your
• People in residential care homes,
• An annexe such as a ‘granny flat’. property is in.
• Unoccupied because the last nursing homes and hostels that
• Occupied by someone who has occupier, who was also the provide a high level of care. Use your MyAccount at
diplomatic, commonwealth or owner, had died and probate www.wigan.gov.uk/MyAccount
• Resident hospital patients.
consular privilege or immunity. or letters of administration have to tell us if you think you qualify for
not yet been granted (and for 6 • Student nurses. a discount or reduction. Certain
months after). conditions apply.9 10
Council Tax for empty dwellings and second homes Council Tax Reduction
When a dwelling first A property in need of, or Our Council Tax Reduction Scheme Who can apply for Council Tax
becomes empty undergoing, major repairs helps households on low incomes Reduction?
to pay their Council Tax bill. Wigan
A dwelling that becomes newly If you own a property that is either To apply for Council Tax Reduction
Council has two schemes:
empty will be given a maximum 1 in need of, or undergoing, major you must be the person whose
month full exemption followed by a repairs you may be entitled to a 1. The National Council Tax name is on the Council Tax bill.
25% discount for a maximum of 5 reduction of 75% from your bill Reduction Scheme – pensioner
households and households You may qualify if you are:
months. for a maximum of 12 months, or
until the work is completed if that with children under 5 • On Income Support, Jobseekers
Long term empty dwellings Allowance, Employment Support
is sooner. You will be asked to These households:
Dwellings left empty and unfurnished provide evidence of the extent of Allowance or Universal Credit;
• Can apply for support.
for longer than 6 months, or have the works required to render the • On Pension Credit, Guaranteed
already been empty for between 6 property habitable. Only one major • Can apply for Second Adult Rebate Credit and in some cases
months and 2 years, will be charged repairs reduction can be given for if the only other adult living in the Saving Credit;
100% Council Tax. any period during which a property property is on a low income.
• Working and on low pay (including
is continuously empty. Certain • Can apply for backdated support. people who are self employed);
Empty Homes Premium
qualifying conditions apply for all This will only be awarded if there is
Long term empty dwellings that reductions. good cause why the claim wasn’t • On a low income. For example you
remain empty and unfurnished made from the earlier date. might only get a retirement pension
Family annex or be getting social security benefits
for longer than 2 years will attract
2. The Local Council Tax like Incapacity Benefit;
an Empty Homes Premium. The If your property has an annex which Reduction Scheme – working
premium will be an extra 50% charge has a separate Council Tax band age households with no • A working age household with
in addition to the 100% charge for a and is occupied by a relative, they children under 5 capital / savings under £12,000; or
long term empty dwelling. may be entitled to a reduction from • A pensioner household, or
their Council Tax. These households:
Second homes household with a child under 5,
Use your MyAccount at • Can apply for support under with capital / savings under £16,000.
Dwellings that are unoccupied but our local Council Tax Reduction
www.wigan.gov.uk/MyAccount
furnished are classed as second Scheme.
to tell us if your property has
homes. There is no discount for • Will have their entitlement
become empty or if your property
these dwellings. The charge for a calculated using the national
has a separate annex occupied by a
second home is 100%. scheme but support will be
family member.
If your property becomes empty, reduced by 20%.
contact us straight away and we • Cannot apply for Second Adult
can tell you if you qualify for any Rebate.
reduction.
• Can only get support from the date
a claim for reduction is made.11 12
The government has made changes • The Applicable Amounts we use The following agencies can give These facilities are available to all
to all Local Council Tax Reduction to work out how much Council Tax advice about your application: customers:
schemes that may affect how much Reduction you are entitled to; • Citizens Advice • Access for wheelchair users at
Council Tax Reduction we can award Tel: 0344 826 9713 our Life Centres in Wigan, Marsh
• Limit the length of time you are
you. Email: advice@wigancab.org Green, Atherton, Leigh Town Hall,
allowed to leave the country and
These include changes to: keep your claim active to 4 weeks. www.wigancab.org Ince and Platt Bridge.
• Limit the child premium to two For a full list of these changes • Age UK (for those over 50) Wigan • Browsealoud is available on our
Tel: 01942 241972 website to download so that you
children for new claims or where and for more information on this
Email: enquiries@ can have the information on our
you become responsible for a third please visit: www.wigan.gov.uk/ ageukwiganborough.org.uk web pages read aloud to you.
child; counciltaxreduction www.ageukwiganborough.org.uk
• The amount of the Non Dependant • You can also get Welfare Rights
Deductions for some customers Advice from us by emailing
who have another adult (not their welfarerightsadvice@wigan.gov.uk
partner) living with them;
How to apply Need help to make an Changes you need to Tell us online by registering for
application? tell us about MyAccount at
Register for MyAccount and apply
online at www.wigan.gov.uk/ • You can get help and use our Tell us straight away if you are www.wigan.gov.uk/MyAccount
MyAccount online facilities at our Life Centres getting Housing Benefit or Council and click on our ‘report a change
in Wigan, Marsh Green, Atherton, Tax Reduction and have a change in your circumstances’ form.
You cannot make a claim for Council
Leigh Town Hall, Ince and in circumstances. If you do not tell
Tax Reduction through Job Centre Platt Bridge. You can get face-to-face help with
us about a change as soon as it
Plus or the Pensions Service. any enquiry about a council service
• If you are a tenant of Arena happens, you could lose benefits or
at our Life Centres in Wigan, Marsh
For more information about Housing, Adactus Housing, or we could pay you too much and you
Green, Atherton, Leigh Town Hall,
Council Tax Reduction visit Riverside Housing, your landlord will probably have to pay it back.
Ince and Platt Bridge.
www.wigan.gov.uk/ can help you fill in and check your
It is an offence not to tell
counciltaxreduction benefit claim online. Complaints or compliments
us about any change in
If you rent your home you might also • If you do not have access to a circumstances that affects your Fill in an online form at
be entitled to Housing Benefit. For computer or are unable to visit entitlement. We may take court www.wigan.gov.uk/contactus
more information about Housing us at any of the above places, action against you.
Benefit visit contact us 01942 489002.
www.wigan.gov.uk/housingbenefit13 14
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment paid You will have to pay your Council Tax Information about the Adult Social Care Precept
by the Department for Work and from your monthly Universal Credit
Wigan Council has responsibility for Adult Social Care functions under
Pensions to help with your living payment yourself. If you are on a low
Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. The Secretary of State for Communities and
costs if you are on a low income or income you may qualify for Council
Local Government has given Wigan Council the option to charge an annual
out of work. Tax Reduction.
‘precept’ on its Council Tax for the financial years from 2016/17 to 2019/20
It replaces existing benefits and Apply at www.wigan.gov.uk/ without holding a referendum, subject to annual approval of the House of
credits into a single monthly counciltaxreduction Commons. This money will be used to fund Adult Social Care. For 2018/2019
payment. Wigan Council has taken the maximum option to charge an Adult Social Care
Find out more about Universal Credit
precept of 3% of the value of the amount of the Wigan Council Charge set in
From 18th April 2018 most people on the government website
2017/2018 including the 2% Adult Social Care precept for 2016/2017 and the
making a claim for working age www.gov.uk/universal-credit
3% Adult Social Care precept for 2017/2018.
benefits and help with housing costs
If you don’t have a computer at
in Wigan Borough will be placed in Information about the Mayoral Precepts
home you can use one for free at
Universal Credit Full Service.
your local library or Life Centre. The Mayor of Greater Manchester has now taken on the responsibilities of
You will be automatically transferred There are also drop-in sessions for the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and the Greater
to Universal Credit in the Wigan residents that need extra help to get Manchester Fire and Rescue services. From 2018/2019 the precept on
borough if you have a change of online. For more information about Council Tax bills for Police services will be replaced with the Mayoral Police
circumstances that affects your help and support for Universal Credit and Crime Commissioner Precept Component and this precept funds Police
current benefits. claimants visit www.wigan.gov.uk/ services. The precept for the Fire and Rescue Services will be replaced with
universalcredit the Mayoral General Precept Component (including Fire Services). This
precept includes an amount for Fire and Rescue Services and a new amount
Help available In a crisis? to fund the Greater Manchester Mayor and the work he wants to do in Greater
Manchester. The information provided by the Mayor indicates that the precept
Need help with money or other If you find yourself in a crisis our
will pay for the running of the Mayor’s office and to meet the Mayor’s priorities
problems? For information go to Local Welfare Support Advisors can
in Greater Manchester which are to:
www.wigan.gov.uk/moneyadvice help support customers to:
• Improve our public transport and ease congestion;
• access financial help and advice, • Protect our green spaces and develop affordable housing;
Don’t be excluded
• gain appropriate referrals e.g. • Make Greater Manchester the UK’s leading digital and green city;
Get in touch with those you owe food parcels, white goods, and • Eradicate homelessness.
money to as soon as you can. • build self-reliance. The table below shows the cost of the Mayoral Precept per household for
You can nominate a friend or
To speak to a Local Welfare Support 2018/2019.
representative to help you if you find
it hard to manage it yourself. Advisor ring 01942 705221 or visit Council Tax A B C D E F G H
our Life Centres at Wigan or Leigh. Band
Avoid doorstep loan companies. New Mayoral £5.33 £6.22 £7.11 £8 £9.78 £11.56 £13.33 £16
Their interest rates can be extremely charge
high. For more info go to www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/counciltaxWe can make the information in this booklet available in other formats and languages on request. Contact us at: Wigan Council, PO Box 100, Wigan, WN1 3DS. 01942 489001 Email: revenues@wigan.gov.uk Printed March 2018
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