Your council tax The year ahead - Manchester City Council
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Your council tax
The year ahead
manchester.gov.ukFront cover: We're working hard to deliver a £100million investment in our roads.
Since 2010, austerity has had a significant impact Other priority areas for investment highlighted
on the Council’s finances, with year-on-year by residents include the ongoing programme
funding reductions. Between 2010/11 and 2019/20, that is seeing £100million spent on a five-year
the Council’s annual spending power – using the highways improvement programme, including
Government’s own definition – has gone down by pothole repairs.
Focusing on £179million (almost a third) compared to a lower
national average reduction of 16 per cent. Although Government rule changes mean we could
put our element of council tax up by more, we are
A message from Sir Richard Leese,
Leader of Manchester City Council vital services This equates to a £355 funding reduction per person
– the tenth-steepest reduction in the country.
keeping the increase to 3.49% (1.99% council tax and
1.5% Adult Social Care precept) in recognition of the
financial challenges faced by many of our residents,
This is the third year of a three-year When you factor in inflation, and particularly the increased Mayoral and policing charges, and
budget, which the Council set back in 2017 rising demand for services – much of it the result because we believe in keeping our promises. In
after a large-scale consultation to help us of austerity and welfare changes that have hit any case, hiking up council tax does not solve the
understand, and respond to, what matters people who were already struggling the hardest – austerity problem – we already spend more each
most to Manchester people. we have had to make savings of £372million since year on Adult Social Care alone than we raise
2010, including £15million this financial year. in council tax.
Your council tax helps pay for the vital services that
keep this city going. These include looking after More than half the Council’s budget is invested Striking the right balance while continuing to
young and old, and providing the basic services that in caring for our vulnerable adults and children, invest in the future for the city and its people
every household benefits from: collecting the bins; and we are making additional investments in remains hugely challenging.
running parks and libraries; and looking after roads, strengthening these services – £13.6million in
pavements and street lighting. children’s services and £11.4million in adults’ services. When we talk about setting a balanced budget,
we don’t just mean balancing the books. It also
You told us that the things you valued most were We are committing £1.1million to help cushion the means balancing the need to maintain vital
care and support for vulnerable people, helping impact for those worst hit by Government welfare services with the need to minimise the impacts
families in poverty, tackling homelessness, policies, particularly Universal Credit. of any increase, and balancing the need to deliver
improving access to jobs and training, upgrading services now with the need to invest in jobs, skills
our roads, ensuring that our neighbourhoods are We are investing £4.6million extra funding in and infrastructure for the future.
clean and well managed, and leisure investment supporting our services to help prevent homelessness
to keep people active and happy. and provide accommodation and other support for In all of this we have a long-term vision for the
those who find themselves without a home. This sort of successful, inclusive, outward-facing city
We remain firmly focused on the priorities you have includes additional enforcement in the private-rented we want to be. That’s what your council tax is
set, but nine years of austerity mean we will need sector to help keep people in their homes. contributing towards.
to dig into our reserves to fund this year’s budget,
something that is not sustainable in the long term. We’re also pumping an extra £500,000 into tackling
fly-tipping and commercial waste problems – both
in cleaning it up and prosecuting those caught
carrying it out. Sir Richard Leese
Leader of Manchester City Council
2 3Sticking to
£13.6m
your priorities £11.4m extra to support young people
in 2019/20 extra to meet growing
need for adult social care
The Council’s spending plans Libraries and leisure centres remain a focus
for investment:
for services in the year 2019/20
are based on the priorities that –– Moss Side’s £8.6million refurbishment
Looking forward Council tax
is complete.
thousands of Manchester people As we move into the final year of our current We won’t increase the council tax for Council
–– We start a brand-new library and leisure budget we can reinforce your main priorities services beyond the 3.49 per cent promised in our
have told us matter most to them
centre at Abraham Moss this year. thanks to the good progress we’ve made. So budget consultation. That’s just over £30 extra to
and their families. we’ll again put more than half of what we spend pay this year for most residents (those in band A),
–– We had three million visits to libraries
into services that support the most vulnerable. leaving Manchester with one of the lowest council
and 624,000 to galleries in the year up to
We consulted widely to set our current three- In 2019/20 that means: tax bills in the country.
September 2018.
year budget for 2017–20, so the vital services your
–– Care and support for vulnerable people –
council tax will support this year include looking –– 88,000 people now use our leisure discount Budget challenges will continue into 2019/20
an extra £11.4million to meet growing need
after older people, supporting those with learning card, MCR Active. with the need for adult and children's social care
for adult social care.
disabilities and mental-health needs, children’s continuing to rise. We’ll continue working to
social care, supporting the poorest families, and We’ve also secured grants of £1.5million in 2019/20 –– Giving young people the best start in life with deliver savings and manage budgets effectively
tackling homelessness. to get more of us into physical activity. £13.6million extra investment in children's services. so that we’re in the best position possible to stick
to the priorities Manchester people have set,
–– Taking action on family poverty – an additional
We’ve been able to make good progress during Residents recycled more than ever in 2017/18, working efficiently to ensure that council tax
£1.1million to reduce the impact that Government
the past two years on the services that make our reducing the cost of waste disposal. We’ll improve funds go further for our residents.
welfare reforms like Universal Credit are having
neighbourhoods great places to live and improve this further next year with easier, communal
on residents’ lives.
our quality of life. recycling for terraced homes and apartments. Learn more about what we’ve delivered so far in
–– Tackling homelessness – £4.6million extra this three-year budget, and our full budget plans
We continue resurfacing roads in every A litter taskforce, including young people, to support homelessness services. for the year ahead at www.manchester.gov.
neighbourhood as part of a £100million five- businesses and public services, helped Manchester uk/budget
–– Tougher action and an extra £500,000 to
year programme that’s already seen 43 streets do better than the national average in Keep Britain
combat littering, fly-tipping and poor business-
resurfaced and a further 24 repaired this year. Tidy’s litter and rubbish survey 2018. We’ll work
waste management.
with them next year to make Manchester the UK’s
first ‘tidy city’. –– The first stage of an extra £1.5million over
three years to double our resources to tackle
Getting people into work and training also antisocial behaviour.
came high on the list of what you value, so we’ll
continue our work to create good jobs and make
sure that Manchester people have the maximum
chance of getting them.
4 5How we work out your bill How council tax is calculated Manchester City Council’s income 2019/20
Most of the money we collect is spent on Total resources: £610.42million
The amount you have to pay local council services. However, some of
1.5% of the rise in council tax for 2019/20 goes to Dividends and use of reserves:
depends on which of the eight it pays for things that benefit the whole
12.2%
council tax bands your home help fund adult social care – see page 11 for details. of Greater Manchester, such as police
is in. A Government body called and fire services, and getting rid of waste. £74.83million
Band 2019/20* Value at 1 April 1991 Business rates:
the Valuation Office Agency All councils in Greater Manchester make 46.7%
A £1,097.34 Up to £40,000 Council tax: 27.3%
decides which band your a similar contribution. Your bill shows
property is in. Your bill tells B £1,280.22
£56m
£4m£40,001 – £52,000 £6mhow these costs are made
£11m
up.
£ 284.94million £166.51million
Libraries Waste and Parks and Culture
you which band you’re in. C £1,463.12 £52,001 – £68,000Street Cleaning Open Spaces
Example of breakdown for council tax band D:
D £1,646.02 £68,001 – £88,000
You may have to pay the full
£2,011.81£18m
amount, or you may be able £8m E £88,001 – £120,000
£23m £16m
to get money off (for example,
if you live on your own, people
F
Neighbourhood
Delivery Teams
£2,377.58Leisure £120,001 – £160,000
Economic Regeneration
and Employment
+ +
Other Core services
and Corporate Requirements
= Government
grants: 13.8%
G £2,743.36 £160,001 – £320,000
in your household qualify for a £84.14million
Council Mayoral Police Mayoral General Council
discount or exemption, or you H £3,292.04 £320,001 and over services and Crime Precept (including tax band D
are on a low income and qualify £30m*This includes the Mayoral
£12m £3m
Police and Crime Commissioner Precept £219m Commissioner
Precept
£37m
Fire Services)
for Council Tax Support). Highways andand the Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services).
Revenue Planning and Families, Health Transport
£1,646.02
Street Lighting and Benefits Building Control and£1,370.77
Wellbeing £198.30 Levy £76.95
Where the money goes
Manchester City Council’s spending 2019/20 33.1% 21% 10.4%
Your council tax helps to fund local services, such as social care (£201.91million) (£128.05million) (£63.56million)
for vulnerable people; and support for children, young adults Services for adults Services for children Waste and Recycling
and elderly people. It also pays for waste and recycling, schools, and Street Cleaning
libraries, leisure centres, street cleaning, parks and much more.
9.9% 6.4% 5.9% 2.5% 2.3% 2.2%
(£60.25million) (£38.86million) (£35.94million) (£15.12million) (£13.73million) (£13.61million)
Other spending, such Transport Corporate Core Highways and Economic Homelessness
as interest repayments, staff
Street Lighting Regeneration
pensions and emergency funds
and Employment
1.8% 1.6% 1.1% 1.1% 0.4% 0.3%
(£11.1million) (£10.11million) (£6.67million) (£6.7million) (£2.69million) (£2.12million)
Neighbourhood Revenues and Libraries Culture Leisure Parks and
Management Benefits Open Spaces
Note: figures and amounts are approximate due to rounding.
6 7Your council tax explained Unoccupied homes Telling us about changes Certain types of homes are exempt even
Homes that are unoccupied and substantially If your bill shows we have given you a discount though they are occupied:
unfurnished are charged 100% of the council tax or reduction, you must tell us within 21 days of
• Student halls of residence
for up to two years and 200% after two years. any change of circumstances that affects your
• An annexe, if it is occupied by an elderly or
These include newly built homes from the date discount or reduction. If you do not, you may
dependent relative
they are completed if they remain unoccupied have to pay a penalty.
Council tax discounts • Armed forces’ accommodation owned by the
and substantially unfurnished.
The full council tax bill is due when there are two Exempt homes Ministry of Defence
or more adults living in a property. If only one Homes that are empty and furnished will There is no bill to pay while a home is left • Visiting forces’ accommodation.
adult lives there, we will reduce the bill by 25%. be charged 100% of the bill; this includes unoccupied by:
Some properties are exempt because they
This is called a single-person discount. second homes. • People in prison (except for those in prison are occupied only by people who are:
The Council no longer offers a discount when a for non-payment of council tax or a fine)
You could get a 25% or 50% discount even when • Students
there are two or more adult residents, and an property is undergoing major work, or for the • Long-stay hospital patients or residents
• Under 18
exemption may apply in some cases – see first month an unfurnished property is empty. in a care home or hostel
• Severely mentally impaired
Exempt homes section on page 9. We don’t • People receiving or providing care
Annexes • Diplomats.
count the following people when we decide • The householder, because they are away
There is a 50% discount for an annexe that is
on the number of adults living in a property: studying
either being used as part of the main residence For more information about claiming a discount,
• Full-time students and some student nurses or occupied by relatives of the person who is • Someone who has died but probate has not reduction or exemption, visit
• Apprentices and youth trainees responsible for council tax on the main property been granted or no letters of administration www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltax
(see Exempt homes section on page 9). have been made (the property can remain
• Patients resident in hospital
exempt for up to six months after the grant Appealing against your council tax
• People who are being looked after in care homes Armed forces
has been made). valuation band
You may be entitled to a reduction of 100% in
• People who are severely mentally impaired
your council tax if you have left your property The following homes are also exempt: You can appeal to have your home put into a lower
• People staying in certain hostels or night shelters valuation band, but only in certain situations.
empty because you are a serving member of the • An unoccupied home owned by a charity,
• 18 and 19-year-olds who are at school or college armed services who is posted away from home where the last occupation supported the Making an appeal is free. Please beware of
or who have just left school or college in the course of your duties. charity’s objectives (this is exempt for up companies offering to appeal the valuation band
• Care workers working for low pay (usually to six months) for you – they will usually charge you. Take care
Care leavers
for charities) • A home that is unoccupied because the law and, if necessary, seek further advice before
If you are aged 18–25 and have been in the care
• People caring for someone who is not a of a local authority, you may be eligible for a says it must not be occupied paying money or entering into a contract.
partner or a child under 18 discount of up to 100%. • An unoccupied home kept for ministers If you want to appeal, or need more information,
• People aged 18 or over for whom Child Benefit of religion email: ctnorth@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Reductions for disabled people
is paid • A caravan pitch or a houseboat mooring that Telephone: 03000 501 501
You may be entitled to a reduction in your
• Foreign language assistants who are council tax if: is not occupied by a caravan or boat
You can also write to:
registered with the Central Bureau • You have a room (other than a bathroom, • An unoccupied property that forms part of The Valuation Office Agency
• The wife, husband or dependant of a student kitchen or toilet) that is needed for a another property, such as an annexe that The Listings Officer
who is not a British citizen and who cannot disabled person cannot be let separately. 17th Floor
take paid employment or claim benefits • You have an extra bathroom or kitchen that Manchester One
Homes that are left unoccupied are exempt if:
• Diplomats and senior officials of international is needed for a disabled person 53 Portland Street
• They have been repossessed by the mortgagee
organisations and their husbands or wives • There is enough floor space indoors to allow Manchester M1 3LD
• They are the responsibility of a trustee in
• Members of visiting forces and certain a disabled person to use a wheelchair. bankruptcy. Website: www.voa.gov.uk
international institutions
You must pay the council tax while you
• Members of religious communities
are waiting for a decision on your appeal.
• People in prison (except for those in prison for If your appeal is successful, we will pay
non-payment of council tax or a fine). back any overpayments.
8 9Council Tax Support changes Second Adult Rebate How we use your information
Only pension-age people can get this. If you can’t
from April 2019 get Council Tax Support based on your income,
We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal information will only
you may still be able to get help with your council be processed in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection
In April 2019, Council Tax Support will change
tax if you are the only person liable to pay it and Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
for working-age people on Universal Credit
who have a council tax bill and who should you have another adult (or adults) on a low We collect, process and store your personal information to allow us to work out and
get Council Tax Support. The changes: income living in your home, not including your collect council tax, to perform our legal duties, and for the prevention and detection
partner, joint tenant or joint owner. We work of fraud. We may share your information with other Council departments or other
— A
claim for Council Tax Support will
out Second Adult Rebate based on the income organisations, where it is necessary or appropriate to do so.
be automatic as part of the claim for
of the other adults. Your income and savings
Universal Credit Further information on how we use your personal information can be found in the
do not affect how we work it out.
— I t will be simpler to reclaim Council council tax service privacy notice at www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltaxprivacy
For more information and to make a claim, visit
Tax Support after a short break in We also offer an automated SMS messaging service to residents, to remind them
www.manchester.gov.uk/benefits
Universal Credit that their council tax is due or to help administer benefit claims.
Benefit fraud
— W
e will only change the amount of Council
Every penny counts towards Manchester services. If you wish to receive the automated SMS messages, or if you already receive the
Tax Support you receive to help with your
Benefit cheats steal millions of pounds each year SMS messages and wish to opt out, please contact us by email at
bill if there is a significant change in your
– money that could be spent on other services. ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk
Universal Credit payments.
The Council is committed to detecting and
For more details of the changes, please go
preventing fraud and abuse. We will investigate
to www.manchester.gov.uk/ctschanges
those dishonestly claiming Council Tax Support
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/uccts and other discounts or exemptions. Where Statement concerning adult social care funding
to claim. appropriate, offenders will be prosecuted. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has made an offer
If you suspect someone is committing council to adult social care authorities. (Adult social care authorities are local authorities
Council Tax Support tax fraud, you can report them in confidence: that have functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, namely county councils in
You can get money off your council tax bill if you or England, district councils for an area in England for which there is no county council,
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltaxfraud
your partner have to pay council tax and you are on Email ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk London borough councils, the Common Council of the City of London, and the
a low income. This is called Council Tax Support. Council of the Isles of Scilly.)
If you suspect someone is committing Housing
The amount of help depends on your income, the Benefit fraud, you can report it in three ways: The offer is the option of an adult social care authority being able to charge an
size of your family, the amount of council tax you additional ‘precept’ on its council tax for financial years from the financial year
have to pay, and whether you are pension age or By telephone: Contact the National Benefit beginning in 2016 without holding a referendum, to assist the authority in meeting
working age. Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 Monday to expenditure on adult social care. Subject to the annual approval of the House of
Friday 8am–6pm. Calls are free and confidential.
Have your circumstances changed? Commons, the Secretary of State intends to offer the option of charging this ‘precept’ at
If you are currently receiving Council Tax Support Online: www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud an appropriate level in each financial year up to and including the financial year 2019/20.
and/or Housing Benefit and you have had a By post: NBFH, Mail Handling Site A,
change of circumstances, please let us know. Wolverhampton WV98 2BP
Every year, some of your council tax bill goes If you don’t have access to the internet, you
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/benefitchanges
towards funding both the police and fire can contact Greater Manchester Combined
Do you qualify for Council Tax Support? services. The Mayor of Greater Manchester is Authority by writing to GMCA, 1st Floor,
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/benefits to use For information about claiming a responsible for setting these charges, as these Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street,
our online benefit claim and calculator to see if you services are his responsibility. An additional Manchester M1 6EU or by calling
discount, reduction or exemption,
qualify for Council Tax Support and/or Housing charge is also applied to fund other mayoral 0161 778 7000.
Benefit (help with rent). If you qualify, you can visit www.manchester.gov.uk/ responsibilities. This is explained in detail at
claim online or contact the Benefits Service, counciltax www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/
your housing association or library for help. counciltax
10 11It’s easier if you switch!
Sign up to Direct Debit
www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltax
Get your bill by email
www.manchester.gov.uk/ebilling
Follow us on Twitter @ManCityCouncil
We’ll keep you posted
For a great way to get the latest Council news, information and
event details, sign up to our regular e-bulletin.
www.manchester.gov.uk/ebulletin
This document is also available in large print and Braille. Please email
m-four.translations@manchester.gov.uk to request a copy.
Please recycle this booklet when
you have finished with it.
95210 – Manchester City Council 2019You can also read
