Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 and shall come into force on 10th November 1995.

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations-

(a)unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to a section or a Schedule is a reference to a section of or a Schedule to the 1992 Act; and

(b)a dwelling is exempt if it belongs to a class prescribed by an order made by the Secretary of State under section 4(2).

(3) In these Regulations-

"the 1992 Act" means the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

"the appropriate percentage" means 25 per cent. or, if the Secretary of State has made an order under section 11(3) providing for a different appropriate percentage in relation to the financial year in question, the percentage specified in the order;

"the authority's list" means the copy of the authority's valuation list deposited by it under section 22(8)(2) or 22A(10)(3), as the case may be;

"billing authority" means a Welsh billing authority;

"chargeable dwelling" means any dwelling in respect of which council tax is payable; and

"major precepting authority" means a Welsh police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1964(4).

Application of rules

2. The rules contained in these Regulations are to apply to the making for any financial year beginning on or after 1st April 1996 of the calculations required by item T in sections 33(1) and 44(1) and item TP in sections 34(3), 45(3) and 48(3) and (4).

Calculation of billing authority's council tax base

3.-(1) Subject to paragraph (4) below, for the purposes of item T in section 33(1), a billing authority's council tax base for a financial year shall be calculated by applying the formula-

(2) A billing authority shall estimate its collection rate for a financial year for the purposes of paragraph (1) above by estimating the aggregate of the amounts in respect of council tax for that year which are likely to be paid to the authority under the 1992 Act, expressed as a proportion of its estimate of-

(a)the total of any such amounts which are payable to the authority, less

(b)the total of any council tax reductions for that year.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) above, "council tax reductions" means any amount-

(a)by which the amount a person is liable under the 1992 Act to pay in respect of council tax is reduced pursuant to regulations under section 138 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992(5);

(b)which an authority determines pursuant to paragraph 6 or 7 of Schedule 2 that a person is not required to pay; or

(c)by which the amount a person is liable to pay in respect of council tax is reduced pursuant to regulations under section 13.

(4) Where it appears to the authority likely that, for any financial year, the Secretary of State for Defence will pay to it a sum in respect of the council tax which would be payable if Class O exempt dwellings situated in its area were not exempt, the authority shall add to the amount given by the formula in paragraph (1) above for that year such amount as the authority considers appropriate in relation to its tax base by reference to the sum likely to be paid by the Secretary of State for Defence.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) above, "Class O exempt dwellings" means any dwellings which are exempt dwellings by virtue of belonging to Class O prescribed by the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992.(6).

Calculation of the relevant amounts for the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996

4.-(1) For the purposes of regulation 3, the relevant amount for the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996 ("the year") for a valuation band ("the band") is the amount found by applying the formula-

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (5) below, the authority shall calculate the number of chargeable dwellings for the purposes of item C in paragraph (1) above by-

(a)ascertaining the number of dwellings listed in the band in the copy of the information received by the authority from the listing officer for the authority pursuant to section 22A(8);

(b)adding to the number ascertained in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) above the authority's estimate of the number of dwellings which do not fall within that sub-paragraph but which will be listed in the band in the authority's list for the whole or part of the year;

(c)subtracting from the resulting number the authority's estimate of-

(i)the number of dwellings falling within sub-paragraph (a) above which will not be listed in the band in the authority's list for the whole or part of the year; and

(ii)the number of dwellings falling within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above which will be exempt at any time in the year during a period for which they will be listed in the band in the authority's list.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) above, in any case where-

(a)the person who is liable to pay council tax in respect of a dwelling is liable to pay a reduced amount pursuant to regulations under section 13; and

(b)the reduced amount is calculated by reference to a different valuation band from the band in which it is listed;

the authority shall treat the dwelling as being listed in the different valuation band for the period in respect of which the calculation is made.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) below, the authority shall estimate the number of discounts for the purposes of item D in paragraph (1) above by treating the amount of council tax payable in respect of a dwelling which for the whole or part of the year-

(a)will be subject to a discount equal to the appropriate percentage of that amount as subject to one discount; and

(b)will be subject to a discount equal to twice the appropriate percentage as subject to two discounts.

(5) Where it appears to the authority likely that-

(a)a dwelling will be listed in a band in the authority's list, or will not be so listed, for part of the year;

(b)a dwelling will be exempt for part of the year during a period for which it will be listed in a band in the authority's list; or

(c)the amount of council tax payable in respect of a dwelling will be subject to a discount for part of the year equal to the appropriate percentage;

the authority shall, for the purposes of making any of the estimates referred to in paragraph (2) or (4) above, treat such a dwelling or discount as a fraction produced by dividing the number of days in that part of the year by the number of days in the year.

(6) Where it appears to the authority likely that the amount of council tax payable in respect of a dwelling will be subject to a discount for part of the year equal to twice the appropriate percentage, the authority shall, for the purpose of making the estimate referred to in paragraph (4) above, treat the discount as equal to twice the fraction produced by dividing the number of days in that part of the year by the number of days in the year.

Calculation of the relevant amounts for a financial year beginning on or after 1st April 1997

5.-(1) For the purposes of regulation 3, the relevant amount for a financial year beginning on or after 1st April 1997 ("the year") for a valuation band ("the band") is the amount found by applying the formula-

(2) The authority shall calculate the number of chargeable dwellings for the purposes of item H in paragraph (1) above by deducting from the number of dwellings listed in the band on the relevant day its estimate of the number of such dwellings which were exempt on that day.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) above, the authority shall ascertain the number of dwellings listed in any valuation band by reference to-

(a)the state on the relevant day of the authority's list, including any alterations of the list which were shown as having effect on that day; and

(b)any alterations of the valuation list maintained by the listing officer for that authority which were not shown on the authority's list but of which the authority had been informed by the listing officer and which had effect on that day.

(4) The authority shall estimate the number of discounts for the purposes of item I in paragraph (1) above by treating the amount of council tax payable in respect of a dwelling which-

(a)was subject to a discount equal to the appropriate percentage of that amount as subject to one discount; and

(b)was subject to a discount equal to twice the appropriate percentage as subject to two discounts.

(5) The authority shall make the estimates required for the purposes of items H and I in paragraph (1) above on the basis of all the information available to the authority on the relevant day.

(6) The authority shall calculate the amount of any adjustment for the purposes of item J in paragraph (1) above as equal to the amount by which the number which the authority calculates in accordance with paragraph (7) below exceeds the number which the authority calculates in accordance with paragraph (8) below; and if there is no such excess, the adjustment shall be nil or, as the case may be, a negative amount.

(7) Subject to paragraph (10) below, the authority shall calculate the aggregate of-

(a)the authority's estimate of the number of chargeable dwellings which are not ascertained for the purposes of paragraph (2) above as listed in the band on the relevant day but which will be listed in the band for the whole or part of the year; and

(b)the number calculated by applying the formula-

(8) Subject to paragraph (10) below, the authority shall calculate the aggregate of-

(a)the authority's estimate of the number of chargeable dwellings which are ascertained for the purposes of paragraph (2) above as listed in the band on the relevant day but which will not be listed in the band for the whole or part of the year or will be exempt at any time in the year or that part of the year for which they will be listed; and

(b)the amount calculated by applying the formula-

(9) Paragraph (3) of regulation 4 shall apply for the purposes of making any of the calculations or estimates referred to in paragraphs (2), (7) and (8) above as it applies for the purposes of paragraph (2) of regulation 4.

(10) Paragraphs (5) and (6) of regulation 4 shall apply for the purposes of making any of the estimates referred to in paragraphs (7) and (8) above as they apply for the purposes of the estimates referred to in paragraphs (2) and (4) of regulation 4.

(11) For the purposes of this regulation, the relevant day is 31st October in the financial year preceding that for which the relevant amount is calculated.

Calculation of billing authority's council tax base for a part of its area

6.-(1) For the purposes of item TP in section 34(3), a billing authority's council tax base for a part of its area for any financial year ("the year") shall be calculated by applying the formula-

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) above, the unscaled council tax base for a part of a billing authority's area for the year shall be calculated in accordance with the rules contained in regulations 3 and 4 or, as the case may be, 5 but, for these purposes,-

(a)any reference to dwellings shall be construed as a reference to dwellings situated in the part of the authority's area for which its council tax base is being calculated;

(b)item B in regulation 3 is the amount determined for that item for the purposes of the calculation required by item T in section 33(1); and

(c)in regulation 5, the relevant day in respect of the year is-

(i)where the authority determines the amount for item TP in section 34(3) in the period beginning on 1st November and ending on 31st December in the preceding financial year, 31st October in the preceding financial year; and

(ii)in any other case, the day on which the authority calculates the relevant amount for the year for the purposes of item TP in section 34(3).

Calculations of council tax base for the purposes of a major precepting authority

7.-(1) For the purposes of item T in section 44(1) and item TP in section 45(3), the council tax base for a billing authority's area for any financial year shall be calculated in accordance with the rules contained in regulations 3 and 4 or, as the case may be, 5 and, for these purposes, item B in regulation 3 and items C and D in regulation 4 or, as the case may be, items H, I and J in regulation 5, and any amount added in accordance with regulation 3(4), are the amounts determined for those items, or so added, for the purposes of the calculation required by item T in section 33(1).

(2) For the purposes of item T in section 44(1) and item TP in sections 45(3) and 48(3) and (4), the council tax base for a part of a billing authority's area for any financial year shall be calculated in accordance with the rules contained in regulation 6 and, for these purposes, where the council tax base for that year for that part of the billing authority's area has been calculated for the purposes of item TP in section 34(3), items C and D in regulation 4 or, as the case may be, items H, I and J in regulation 5, and any amount added in accordance with regulation 3(4), are the amounts determined for those items, or so added, for the purposes of the calculation required by item TP in that subsection.

Prescribed period

8.-(1) This regulation applies for the purposes of item T in sections 33(1) and 44(1) and item TP in sections 45(3) and 48(3) and (4), in relation to calculations by a billing authority or, as the case may be, a major precepting authority.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) below, the period beginning on 1st November and ending on 31st December in the financial year preceding that for which the calculation of the council tax base is made is hereby prescribed for the purposes referred to in paragraph (1) above.

(3) In relation to calculations for the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996, the period beginning on 15th November 1995 and ending on 31st December 1995 is hereby prescribed for the purposes referred to in paragraph (1) above.

Determination of billing authority's council tax base

9.-(1) Item T in section 33(1) shall, in any case where a billing authority fails to notify its calculation for a financial year to its major precepting authority within the period prescribed in regulation 8, be determined by the major precepting authority in the following manner.

(2) Item T shall be determined in accordance with the rules contained in regulations 3 and 4 or, as the case may be, 5, on the basis of all the information available to the major precepting authority but, for this purpose, the relevant day in respect of a financial year is the day on which the authority calculates the relevant amount for the year for the purposes of the determination.

(3) A major precepting authority making a determination of item T for a financial year in accordance with paragraph (2) above shall have regard to, in particular,

(a)except in the case of the determination of item T for the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996, the amount of the billing authority's council tax base determined for item T for the preceding financial year, and

(b)any amount calculated as the billing authority's council tax base for the financial year in question by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the distribution of revenue support grant under Part V of the Local Government Finance Act 1988(7).

Determination of council tax base for the purposes of a major precepting authority

10.-(1) Item T in section 44(1) or, as the case may be, item TP in section 45(3) or 48(3) or (4) shall, in any case where one or more of the billing authorities concerned fails to notify any calculation required by those items for a financial year to a major precepting authority within the period prescribed in regulation 8, be determined by the major precepting authority in the following manner.

(2) In any case where one or more of the amounts required to be calculated by the item in question (a "required amount") is notified to the major precepting authority within the period prescribed in regulation 8, the item shall be equal to the aggregate of such amounts and any other required amounts determined in accordance with paragraph (4) or, as the case may be, (5) below.

(3) In any other case the item in question shall be equal to the aggregate of the required amounts determined in accordance with paragraph (4) or, as the case may be, (5) below.

(4) Where the required amount is the amount of a billing authority's council tax base, the required amount shall be equal to the amount determined for item T in section 33(1) for the financial year in question.

(5) Where the required amount is the amount of a billing authority's council tax base for a part of its area, the required amount shall be calculated in accordance with the rules contained in regulation 6 on the basis of all the information available to the major precepting authority and, for this purpose, the relevant day in respect of a financial year is the day on which the authority calculates the relevant amount for the year for the purposes of the determination.

(6) In this regulation, "the billing authorities concerned" are any billing authorities to which the major precepting authority issues precepts for the financial year in question.

Amendment of Regulations

11. The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992(8) shall be amended by-

(a)the addition at the beginning of regulation 2 of the words "Subject to regulation 11,"; and

(b)the addition after regulation 10 of the following regulation-

"Wales: disapplication

11.-(1) These Regulations shall not apply to the making by a Welsh billing authority or a Welsh major precepting authority of any relevant calculations for any financial year beginning on or after 1st April 1996.

(2) In paragraph (1), "relevant calculations" are the calculations required by item T in sections 33(1) and 44(1) and item TP in sections 34(3), 45(3) and 48(3) and (4).".

Explanatory Note

(This Note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations apply to Wales. They contain rules for the calculation of the council tax base, which is an amount required by the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to be used in the calculation of the council tax by billing authorities and major precepting authorities and in the calculation of the amount of a precept payable by each billing authority to a major precepting authority. They apply to the financial years beginning on or after 1st April 1996 (the first year of the new local government structure in Wales established under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (c. 19)).

Regulations 3 to 5 provide for the calculation of the amount of a billing authority's council tax base for the purposes of the calculation of its council tax. Under the rules, the council tax base is, in essence, the number of dwellings in an area belonging to each valuation band, modified to take account of the proportion applying to dwellings in each band under section 5 of the 1992 Act, discounts under section 11 and in certain cases reduced amounts payable under section 13 of the Act, and the proportion of the council tax for the year which the billing authority expects to be able to collect. The rules are different for the financial year beginning on 1st April 1996 and subsequent years.

Regulation 6 provides for the calculation of a billing authority's council tax base for a part of its area for the purposes of the calculation of its council tax similarly to the way in which the council tax base is to be calculated for the whole of a billing authority's area under regulations 3 to 5.

Regulation 7 provides for the calculation of the council tax base of the area or part of the area of a billing authority for the purposes of the calculation of a major precepting authority's council tax and the amount payable by a billing authority to a major precepting authority, based on the rules set out in regulations 3 to 6.

Regulation 8 prescribes a period for the notification by a billing authority of the council tax base of its area or a part of its area to a major precepting authority. Regulations 9 and 10 provide for how the council tax base is to be determined where a billing authority fails to notify its calculation to a major precepting authority within the period prescribed by regulation 8.

Regulation 11 amends the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 No. 612 to disapply them to calculations made by the new Welsh local authorities and Welsh police authorities.