Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Local Government Finance Act 1992

Type Public General Act

Publication 1992-03-06

Last updated 2025-09-10

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(b) may not provide for the offence to be punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding 51 weeks or with a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(7) Regulations under this section that create an offence within subsection (6) that may be committed before the date that section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force may not provide for such an offence committed before that date to be punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding 3 months.

(8) The appropriate authority may by regulations make provision—

(a) about defences to an offence under regulations under this section;

(b) about the commission by a body corporate of such an offence;

(d) about the time limits for bringing such proceedings;

(e) about the determination of issues arising in such proceedings;

(f) about other matters of procedure and evidence in relation to such offences.

(9) The provision that may be made by regulations under this section includes, in particular, provision equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the appropriate authority thinks fit.

(10) For the purposes of subsection (9), each of the following enactments as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) section 111 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (offences relating to powers under that Act);

(b) section 111A of that Act (dishonest representations for obtaining benefit etc);

(d) section 115 of that Act (offences by bodies corporate);

(e) section 116 of that Act (legal proceedings);

(f) section 121DA of that Act (interpretation of Part 6 of that Act);

(g) section 191 of that Act (interpretation of that Act).

14C

(1) The appropriate authority may by regulations make provision for the imposition of a penalty by a billing authority on a person where in prescribed circumstances—

(a) that person's act or omission results or could result in the amount of council tax that a person (“P”) is liable to pay being reduced or subject to a discount, and

(b) P is not or will not be entitled to that reduction or discount.

(2) The appropriate authority may by regulations make provision for the imposition of a penalty by a billing authority on a person where in prescribed circumstances—

(a) that person's act or omission results or could result in a dwelling in respect of which a person (“P”) would otherwise be liable to pay council tax being treated as an exempt dwelling for a period, and

(b) the dwelling is not or will not be an exempt dwelling for all or part of that period.

(3) Regulations under this section must—

(a) make provision with the effect that a penalty may only be imposed on a person where the person agrees to the imposition of the penalty as an alternative to criminal proceedings being taken against the person in respect of the act or omission to which the penalty relates,

(b) make provision with the effect that a penalty may only be imposed on a person where the person has not been charged with an offence in respect of the act or omission to which the penalty relates, or

(4) Where—

(a) regulations under this section specify a sum as a penalty (or a minimum or maximum penalty), and

(b) it appears to the Treasury that there has been a change in the value of money since those regulations were made or (as the case may be) the last occasion when an order under this subsection was made,

the Treasury may by order substitute for that sum such other sum as appears to them to be justified by the change.

(5) An order under subsection (4) does not apply in relation to any act done or omission which began before the date on which the order comes into force.

(6) This section does not affect the operation of paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 (penalties).

(7) The provision that may be made by regulations under this section includes, in particular, provision equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the appropriate authority thinks fit.

(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), each of the following is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) section 115A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (penalty as alternative to prosecution);

(b) section 115B of that Act (penalty as alternative to prosecution: colluding employers etc);

(d) section 115D of that Act (penalties in respect of failures to disclose information);

(e) section 121DA of that Act (interpretation of Part 6 of that Act);

(f) section 191 of that Act (interpretation of that Act).

(9) The reference in subsection (8)—

(a) to section 115C or 115D of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 is to that section without the repeals in it contained in Part 1 of Schedule 14 to the Welfare Reform Act 2012;

(b) to any other provision of that Act is to the provision as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed.

14D

(1) In sections 14A to 14C—

“the appropriate authority” means—the Secretary of State, in relation to England, andthe Welsh Ministers, in relation to Wales;

“prescribed”, in relation to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers, means prescribed by such regulations.

(2) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of State under any of sections 14A to 14C may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under any of sections 14A to 14C may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

SCHEDULE 1A

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

(a) “scheme” means council tax reduction scheme under section 13A(2), and

(b) in relation to a scheme, “the authority” means the billing authority which made the scheme or is under a duty to make it.

Matters to be included in schemes

2

(1) A scheme must state the classes of person who are to be entitled to a reduction under the scheme.

(2) The classes may be determined by reference to, in particular—

(a) the income of any person liable to pay council tax to the authority in respect of a dwelling;

(b) the capital of any such person;

(d) the number of dependants of any person within paragraph (a) or (c);

(e) whether the person has made an application for the reduction.

(3) A scheme must set out the reduction to which persons in each class are to be entitled; and different reductions may be set out for different classes.

(4) A reduction may be—

(a) a discount calculated as a percentage of the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme,

(b) a discount of an amount set out in the scheme or to be calculated in accordance with the scheme,

(c) expressed as an amount of council tax to be paid (lower than the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme) which is set out in the scheme or is to be calculated in accordance with it, or

(d) the whole amount of council tax (so that the amount payable is nil).

(5) A scheme must state the procedure by which a person may apply for a reduction under the scheme.

(6) A scheme must state the procedure by which a person can make an appeal under section 16 against any decision of the authority which affects—

(a) the person's entitlement to a reduction under the scheme, or

(b) the amount of any reduction to which the person is entitled.

(7) A scheme must state the procedure by which a person can apply to the authority for a reduction under section 13A(1)(c).

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe other requirements for schemes.

(9) Regulations under sub-paragraph (8) may in particular—

(a) require other matters to be included in a scheme;

(b) prescribe classes of person which must or must not be included in a scheme;

(c) prescribe reductions, including minimum or maximum reductions, which must be applicable to persons in prescribed classes;

(d) prescribe requirements which must be met by the procedure mentioned in sub-paragraph (5).

(10) Regulations under sub-paragraph (8) may in particular set out provision to be included in a scheme that is equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(11) Subject to compliance with regulations under sub-paragraph (8), a scheme may make provision that is equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the authority thinks fit.

(12) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (10) and (11), each of the following enactments as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) sections 131 to 133 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (council tax benefit);

(b) sections 134 to 137 of that Act (general provisions about income-related benefits) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(c) section 1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(d) section 6 of that Act (regulations about council tax benefit administration);

(e) sections 32 to 34 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (benefit for persons taking up employment) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit.

Preparation of a scheme

3

(1) Before making a scheme, the authority must (in the following order)—

(a) consult any major precepting authority which has power to issue a precept to it,

(b) publish a draft scheme in such manner as it thinks fit, and

(2) The fact that this paragraph was not in force when any step described in sub-paragraph (1) was taken is to be disregarded in determining whether there has been compliance with that sub-paragraph.

(3) Having made a scheme, the authority must publish it in such manner as the authority thinks fit.

(4) The Secretary of State may make regulations about the procedure for preparing a scheme.

(5) Regulations under sub-paragraph (4) may in particular—

(a) require the authority to produce documents of a particular description in connection with the preparation of a scheme;

(b) include requirements as to the form and content of documents produced in connection with the preparation of a scheme;

(c) include requirements (in addition to sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (3)) about the manner in which such documents must be published;

(d) require the authority to make copies of such documents available for inspection by members of the public, or to supply copies of such documents to them;

(e) include provision about the making of reasonable charges for the supply of copies of such documents to members of the public.

Default scheme

4

(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations prescribe a scheme (“the default scheme”) for the purposes of this paragraph.

(2) The first financial year to which the default scheme relates must be the year beginning with 1 April 2013 (or such other year as is specified in section 10(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 2012).

(3) The default scheme must comply with the requirements of—

(a) paragraph 2(1) to (7), and

(b) any regulations under paragraph 2(8).

(4) The default scheme may in particular make provision that is equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4), each of the following enactments as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) sections 131 to 133 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (council tax benefit);

(b) sections 134 to 137 of that Act (general provisions about income-related benefits) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(c) section 1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(d) section 6 of that Act (regulations about council tax benefit administration);

(e) sections 32 to 34 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (benefit for persons taking up employment) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit.

(6) 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 a scheme on or before 31 January 2013 (or such other date as is specified in section 10(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 2012).

(7) If the default scheme takes effect in the area of a billing authority, this Part applies to the default scheme as if it had been made by the authority.

Revisions to and replacement of scheme

5

(1) For each financial year, each billing authority must consider whether to revise its scheme or to replace it with another scheme.

(2) The authority must make any revision to its scheme, or any replacement scheme, no later than 11 March in the financial year preceding that for which the revision or replacement scheme is to have effect.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order amend sub-paragraph (2) by substituting a different date.

(4) If any revision to a scheme, or any replacement scheme, has the effect of reducing or removing a reduction to which any class of persons is entitled, the revision or replacement must include such transitional provision relating to that reduction or removal as the authority thinks fit.

(5) Paragraph 3 applies to an authority when revising a scheme as it applies to an authority when making a scheme.

(6) References in this Part to a scheme include a replacement scheme.

Arrangements to deal with shortfall in council tax receipts

6

(1) In this paragraph “scheme authority” means, in relation to a scheme and a year—

(a) the billing authority which made the scheme, and

(b) any major precepting authority with power to issue a precept to that billing authority in relation to that year.

(2) Two or more scheme authorities may make arrangements which are to have effect if, as a result of the operation of the scheme—

(a) there is a deficit in the billing authority's collection fund for that year, or

(b) the billing authority estimates that there will be such a deficit.

(3) Arrangements under this paragraph may include—

(a) the making of payments by one scheme authority to another scheme authority;

(b) the variation of any payment or instalment of a payment which is required to be made under regulations under section 99 of the 1988 Act (regulations about funds) that make provision in relation to council tax.

Provision of information to the Secretary of State

7

(1) The Secretary of State may serve on a billing authority in England a notice requiring it to supply to the Secretary of State such information as is specified in the notice and required by the Secretary of State for the purpose of exercising, or of deciding whether to exercise, any function relating to schemes.

(2) The authority must supply the information required if it is in its possession or control, and must do so in such form and manner and at such time as the Secretary of State specifies in the notice.

(3) If an authority fails to comply with sub-paragraph (2), the Secretary of State may exercise the function on the basis of such assumptions and estimates as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(4) In exercising, or deciding whether to exercise, any function relating to schemes, the Secretary of State may also take into account any other available information, whatever its source and whether or not obtained under a provision contained in or made under this or any other Act.

Guidance

8

In exercising any function relating to schemes, a billing authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

Transitional provision

9

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such transitional provision regarding the commencement of schemes as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(2) Such provision may include, in particular, provision for and in connection with treating a person who is or was in receipt of council tax benefit, or who makes or has made a claim for that benefit, as having made an application for a reduction under a scheme.

SCHEDULE 1A

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

(a) “the regulations” means regulations under section 13A(4);

(b) “scheme” means council tax reduction scheme under the regulations;

(d) “specified authority” means a person or body required by the regulations to make a scheme (and, in relation to a particular scheme, means the authority which made the scheme or is under a duty to make it).

Application of schemes

2

(1) The regulations may—

(a) prescribe, for each scheme that is to be made, the dwellings to which that scheme is to apply;

(b) require each scheme to state the dwellings to which it is to apply.

(2) The regulations may prescribe—

(a) the date by which each scheme is to be made, and

(b) the first financial year to which it must relate.

Persons entitled to reductions

3

(1) The regulations may prescribe—

(a) classes of person who are to be entitled to a reduction under schemes;

(b) classes of person who must not be entitled to a reduction under schemes.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) allow specified authorities to determine (subject to regulations under sub-paragraph (1)) classes of person who are to be entitled to a reduction under schemes, or

(b) provide that specified authorities may not determine such classes.

(3) The regulations may require each scheme to state the classes of person (prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(a) or determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a)) who are to be entitled to a reduction under the scheme.

(4) Any class of person prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(a) may be determined by reference to, in particular, the matters listed in sub-paragraph (7).

(5) The regulations may require any class of person determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a) to be determined by reference to specified matters (which may include those listed in sub-paragraph (7)).

(6) If the regulations do not require a class of person to be determined as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5), the specified authority may determine that class by reference to, in particular, the matters listed in sub-paragraph (7).

(7) Those matters are—

(a) whether the Welsh Ministers consider, or the specified authority considers, any person to be in financial need;

(b) the income of any person liable to pay council tax in respect of any dwelling to which a scheme is to apply;

(d) whether any such person is in receipt of any specified benefit;

(e) the income and capital of any other person who is a resident of the dwelling, or whether any such person is in receipt of any specified benefit;

(f) the number of dependants of any person within paragraph (b) or (e);

(g) whether the person has made an application for the reduction.

Reductions

4

(1) The regulations may prescribe reductions, including minimum and maximum reductions, to which persons in each class (whether prescribed under paragraph 3(1)(a) or determined under paragraph 3(2)(a)) are to be entitled under schemes.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) allow specified authorities to determine (subject to regulations under sub-paragraph (1)) reductions to which persons in each class set out in the scheme are to be entitled, or

(b) provide that specified authorities may not determine such reductions.

(3) The regulations may require each scheme to set out the reductions (whether prescribed under sub-paragraph (1) or determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a)) to which persons in each class set out in the scheme are to be entitled.

(4) Different reductions may be set out for different classes.

(5) A reduction under a scheme may be—

(a) a discount calculated as a percentage of the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme,

(b) a discount of an amount set out in the scheme or to be calculated in accordance with the scheme,

(c) expressed as an amount of council tax to be paid (lower than the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme) which is set out in the scheme or is to be calculated in accordance with it, or

(d) the whole amount of council tax (so that the amount payable is nil).

Other matters

5

(1) The regulations may require each scheme to state—

(a) the procedure by which a person may apply for a reduction under the scheme;

(b) the procedure by which a person can make an appeal under section 16 against any decision which affects the person's entitlement to a reduction under the scheme or the amount of any reduction to which the person is entitled;

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)(c), the relevant billing authority for any dwelling to which the scheme applies is the billing authority in whose area the dwelling is situated.

(3) The regulations may prescribe requirements which must be met by the procedure mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

6

(1) The regulations may—

(a) require other matters to be included in schemes;

(b) allow schemes to make provision that is equivalent to provision made by a relevant enactment, or provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment, with such modifications as specified authorities think fit;

(c) prescribe the procedure which a specified authority must follow when making a scheme (including requirements regarding consultation and other steps to be taken before and after making the scheme);

(d) require or allow functions conferred by the regulations to be exercised by specified authorities jointly with other authorities;

(e) prescribe a default scheme which is to take effect, if a specified authority fails to make a scheme in accordance with the regulations, in respect of dwellings to which that scheme would have applied;

(f) impose requirements on specified authorities relating to the review, revision or replacement of schemes;

(g) enable specified authorities to make reasonable charges for the supply of copies of documents relating to schemes;

(h) require specified authorities to provide to the Welsh Ministers information about schemes.

(2) In particular, the regulations may under sub-paragraph (1)(a) set out provision to be included in schemes, and a default scheme prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(e) may make provision, that is equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the Welsh Ministers think fit.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (2), each of the following enactments as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) sections 131 to 133 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (council tax benefit);

(b) sections 134 to 137 of that Act (general provisions about income-related benefits) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(c) section 1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(d) section 6 of that Act (regulations about council tax benefit administration);

(e) sections 32 to 34 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (benefit for persons taking up employment) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit.

Transitional provision

7

(1) The regulations may make such transitional provision regarding the commencement of schemes as the Welsh Ministers think fit.

(2) Such provision may include, in particular, provision for and in connection with treating a person who is or was in receipt of council tax benefit, or who makes or has made a claim for that benefit, as having made an application for a reduction under a scheme.

Guidance

8

In exercising any function relating to schemes, a specified authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

SCHEDULE 1B

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

(a) “the regulations” means regulations under section 13A(4);

(b) “scheme” means council tax reduction scheme under the regulations;

(d) “specified authority” means a person or body required by the regulations to make a scheme (and, in relation to a particular scheme, means the authority which made the scheme or is under a duty to make it).

Application of schemes

2

(1) The regulations may—

(a) prescribe, for each scheme that is to be made, the dwellings to which that scheme is to apply;

(b) require each scheme to state the dwellings to which it is to apply.

(2) The regulations may prescribe—

(a) the date by which each scheme is to be made, and

(b) the first financial year to which it must relate.

Persons entitled to reductions

3

(1) The regulations may prescribe—

(a) classes of person who are to be entitled to a reduction under schemes;

(b) classes of person who must not be entitled to a reduction under schemes.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) allow specified authorities to determine (subject to regulations under sub-paragraph (1)) classes of person who are to be entitled to a reduction under schemes, or

(b) provide that specified authorities may not determine such classes.

(3) The regulations may require each scheme to state the classes of person (prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(a) or determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a)) who are to be entitled to a reduction under the scheme.

(4) Any class of person prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(a) may be determined by reference to, in particular, the matters listed in sub-paragraph (7).

(5) The regulations may require any class of person determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a) to be determined by reference to specified matters (which may include those listed in sub-paragraph (7)).

(6) If the regulations do not require a class of person to be determined as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5), the specified authority may determine that class by reference to, in particular, the matters listed in sub-paragraph (7).

(7) Those matters are—

(a) whether the Welsh Ministers consider, or the specified authority considers, any person to be in financial need;

(b) the income of any person liable to pay council tax in respect of any dwelling to which a scheme is to apply;

(d) whether any such person is in receipt of any specified benefit;

(e) the income and capital of any other person who is a resident of the dwelling, or whether any such person is in receipt of any specified benefit;

(f) the number of dependants of any person within paragraph (b) or (e);

(g) whether the person has made an application for the reduction.

Reductions

4

(1) The regulations may prescribe reductions, including minimum and maximum reductions, to which persons in each class (whether prescribed under paragraph 3(1)(a) or determined under paragraph 3(2)(a)) are to be entitled under schemes.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) allow specified authorities to determine (subject to regulations under sub-paragraph (1)) reductions to which persons in each class set out in the scheme are to be entitled, or

(b) provide that specified authorities may not determine such reductions.

(3) The regulations may require each scheme to set out the reductions (whether prescribed under sub-paragraph (1) or determined under sub-paragraph (2)(a)) to which persons in each class set out in the scheme are to be entitled.

(4) Different reductions may be set out for different classes.

(5) A reduction under a scheme may be—

(a) a discount calculated as a percentage of the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme,

(b) a discount of an amount set out in the scheme or to be calculated in accordance with the scheme,

(c) expressed as an amount of council tax to be paid (lower than the amount which would be payable apart from the scheme) which is set out in the scheme or is to be calculated in accordance with it, or

(d) the whole amount of council tax (so that the amount payable is nil).

Other matters

5

(1) The regulations may require each scheme to state—

(a) the procedure by which a person may apply for a reduction under the scheme;

(b) the procedure by which a person can make an appeal under section 16 against any decision which affects the person's entitlement to a reduction under the scheme or the amount of any reduction to which the person is entitled;

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)(c), the relevant billing authority for any dwelling to which the scheme applies is the billing authority in whose area the dwelling is situated.

(3) The regulations may prescribe requirements which must be met by the procedure mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

6

(1) The regulations may—

(a) require other matters to be included in schemes;

(b) allow schemes to make provision that is equivalent to provision made by a relevant enactment, or provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment, with such modifications as specified authorities think fit;

(c) prescribe the procedure which a specified authority must follow when making a scheme (including requirements regarding consultation and other steps to be taken before and after making the scheme);

(d) require or allow functions conferred by the regulations to be exercised by specified authorities jointly with other authorities;

(e) prescribe a default scheme which is to take effect, if a specified authority fails to make a scheme in accordance with the regulations, in respect of dwellings to which that scheme would have applied;

(f) impose requirements on specified authorities relating to the review, revision or replacement of schemes;

(g) enable specified authorities to make reasonable charges for the supply of copies of documents relating to schemes;

(h) require specified authorities to provide to the Welsh Ministers information about schemes.

(2) In particular, the regulations may under sub-paragraph (1)(a) set out provision to be included in schemes, and a default scheme prescribed under sub-paragraph (1)(e) may make provision, that is equivalent to—

(a) provision made by a relevant enactment, or

(b) provision that is capable of being made under a relevant enactment,

with such modifications as the Welsh Ministers think fit.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (2), each of the following enactments as it had effect on the day on which the Local Government Finance Act 2012 was passed is a “relevant enactment”—

(a) sections 131 to 133 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (council tax benefit);

(b) sections 134 to 137 of that Act (general provisions about income-related benefits) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(c) section 1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit;

(d) section 6 of that Act (regulations about council tax benefit administration);

(e) sections 32 to 34 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (benefit for persons taking up employment) so far as applying in relation to council tax benefit.

Transitional provision

7

(1) The regulations may make such transitional provision regarding the commencement of schemes as the Welsh Ministers think fit.

(2) Such provision may include, in particular, provision for and in connection with treating a person who is or was in receipt of council tax benefit, or who makes or has made a claim for that benefit, as having made an application for a reduction under a scheme.

Guidance

8

In exercising any function relating to schemes, a specified authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

15A

(1) A Revenue and Customs official may supply information which is held by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function of the Revenue and Customs to a qualifying person for prescribed purposes relating to council tax.

(2) The following are qualifying persons for the purpose of this paragraph—

(a) a billing authority in England;

(b) a person authorised to exercise any function of such an authority relating to council tax;

(3) Information supplied under this paragraph may be used for another prescribed purpose relating to council tax.

(4) Information supplied under this paragraph may be supplied to another qualifying person for a prescribed purpose relating to council tax (whether or not that is a purpose for which it was supplied).

(5) In this paragraph—

“Revenue and Customs official”,

“the Revenue and Customs”, and

“function of the Revenue and Customs”,

have the same meaning as in section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.

15B

(1) A Revenue and Customs official may supply information which is held by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function of the Revenue and Customs to a qualifying person for prescribed purposes relating to council tax.

(2) The following are qualifying persons for the purpose of this paragraph—

(a) a billing authority in Wales;

(b) a person authorised to exercise any function of such an authority relating to council tax;

(3) Information supplied under this paragraph may be used for another prescribed purpose relating to council tax.

(4) Information supplied under this paragraph may be supplied to another qualifying person for a prescribed purpose relating to council tax (whether or not that is a purpose for which it was supplied).

(5) In this paragraph—

“Revenue and Customs official”, “the Revenue and Customs” and “function of the Revenue and Customs” have the same meaning as in section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(6) Regulations under this paragraph must not be made except with the consent of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

(7) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

15C

(1) A Revenue and Customs official may supply information which is held by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function of the Revenue and Customs to a qualifying person for prescribed purposes relating to council tax.

(2) The following are qualifying persons for the purpose of this paragraph—

(a) a local authority;

(b) a person authorised to exercise any function of such an authority relating to council tax;

(3) Information supplied under this paragraph may be used for another prescribed purpose relating to council tax.

(4) Information supplied under this paragraph may be supplied to another qualifying person for a prescribed purpose relating to council tax (whether or not that is a purpose for which it was supplied).

(5) In this paragraph—

“Revenue and Customs official”, “the Revenue and Customs” and “function of the Revenue and Customs” have the same meaning as in section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(6) Regulations under this paragraph must not be made except with the consent of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

(7) Regulations under this paragraph—

(a) are subject to the negative procedure; and

(b) may make—

(i) different provision for different purposes, including different provision for different areas or for different authorities, and

(ii) such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary provision as the Scottish Ministers think necessary or expedient.

15D

(1) A person to whom sub-paragraph (2) applies is guilty of an offence if the person discloses without lawful authority any information—

(a) which comes to the person by virtue of paragraph 15A, 15B or 15C, and

(b) which relates to a particular person.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies to—

(a) a qualifying person for the purpose of paragraph 15A, 15B or 15C;

(b) a person who is or has been a director, member of the committee of management, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a person within paragraph (a);

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine, or both;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both.

(4) It is not an offence under this paragraph—

(a) to disclose information in the form of a summary or collection of information so framed as not to enable information relating to any particular person to be identified from it;

(b) to disclose information which has previously been disclosed to the public with lawful authority.

(5) It is a defence for a person (“D”) charged with an offence under this paragraph to prove that at the time of the alleged offence—

(a) D believed that D was making the disclosure in question with lawful authority and had no reasonable cause to believe otherwise, or

(b) D believed that the information in question had previously been disclosed to the public with lawful authority and had no reasonable cause to believe otherwise.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph, “lawful authority” has the meaning given by section 123 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

(7) In relation to an offence under this paragraph committed in England and Wales before 2 May 2022 the reference in sub-paragraph (3)(b) to the general limit in a magistrates’ court is to be taken as a reference to 6 months.

25A

(1) If a valuation officer needs to value a dwelling in England for the purpose of carrying out any of the officer’s functions, the officer and any servant of the Crown authorised by the officer in writing may enter on, survey and value the dwelling if subsections (2) and (4) are fulfilled and (where it applies) subsection (5) is fulfilled.

(2) The valuation officer must obtain the approval of the tribunal before the officer or a person authorised by the officer exercises the power under subsection (1).

(3) The tribunal must not give its approval unless it is satisfied that the valuation officer needs to value the dwelling.

(4) After the tribunal has given its approval, at least 3 days’ notice in writing must be given of the proposed exercise of the power.

(5) In a case where a person authorised by a valuation officer proposes to exercise the power, that person must if required produce the authorisation.

(6) A person who intentionally delays or obstructs a person in the exercise of a power under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

(7) For the purpose of the requirement under subsection (4), the following days are to be disregarded—

(a) a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day or Good Friday;

(b) a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England and Wales.

(8) The tribunal may—

(a) determine any application brought under this section and any question arising from that application;

(b) specify the arrangements by which any entry approved by it must be conducted, including whether the entry may occur on more than one day.

(9) In this section—

“the tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal, and

“valuation officer” means any listing officer and any other officer of Revenue and Customs who is for the time being appointed by the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to carry out any of their functions.

12A

(1) For any financial year, a billing authority in Wales may by determination provide in relation to its area that if on any day a dwelling is a long-term empty dwelling—

(a) the discount under section 11(2)(a) does not apply, and

(b) the amount of council tax payable in respect of that dwelling and that day is increased by such percentage of not more than 300 as it may specify in the determination.

(2) A billing authority may specify different percentages for different dwellings based on the length of time for which they have been long-term empty dwellings.

(3) In exercising its functions under this section a billing authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, prescribe one or more classes of dwelling in relation to which a billing authority may not make a determination under this section.

(5) A class of dwellings may be prescribed under subsection (4) by reference to such factors as the Welsh Ministers think fit and may, amongst other factors, be prescribed by reference to—

(a) the physical characteristics of, or other matters relating to, dwellings;

(b) the circumstances of, or other matters relating to, any person who is liable to the amount of council tax concerned.

(6) Where a determination under this section has effect in relation to a class of dwellings—

(a) the billing authority may not make a determination under section 12(3) or (4) in relation to that class, and

(b) any determination that has been made under section 12(3) or (4) ceases to have effect in relation to that class.

(7) A billing authority may make a determination varying or revoking a determination under this section for a financial year, but only before the beginning of the year.

(8) Where a billing authority makes a determination under this section it must publish a notice of the determination in at least one newspaper circulating in its area.

(9) The notice must be published before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determination.

(10) The validity of a determination is not affected by a failure to comply with subsection (8) or (9).

(11) For the purposes of this section, a dwelling is a “long-term empty dwelling” on any day if for a continuous period of at least 1 year ending with that day—

(a) it has been unoccupied, and

(b) it has been substantially unfurnished.

(12) In determining whether a dwelling is a long-term empty dwelling, no account is to be taken of—

(a) any period which pre-dates the coming into force of this section;

(b) any one or more periods of not more than 6 weeks during which one or both of the conditions in subsection (11) are not met.

(13) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations—

(a) substitute a different percentage limit for the limit which is for the time being specified in subsection (1)(b);

(b) substitute a different period, of not less than 1 year, for the period which is for the time being specified in subsection (11);

(c) substitute a different period, of not less than 6 weeks, for the period which is for the time being specified in subsection (12)(b).

(14) A statutory instrument containing regulations made under subsection (13)(a) or (b) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.

(15) Any other statutory instrument containing regulations made under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

12B

(1) For any financial year, a billing authority in Wales may by determination provide in relation to its area that if on any day the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) are satisfied in respect of a dwelling—

(a) the discount under section 11(2)(a) does not apply, and

(b) the amount of council tax payable in respect of that dwelling and that day is increased by such percentage of not more than 300 as it may specify in the determination.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) there is no resident of the dwelling, and

(b) the dwelling is substantially furnished.

(3) But a billing authority's first determination under this section must be made at least one year before the beginning of the financial year to which it relates.

(4) In exercising its functions under this section a billing authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

(5) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations prescribe one or more classes of dwelling in relation to which a billing authority may not make a determination under this section.

(6) A class of dwellings may be prescribed under subsection (5) by reference to such factors as the Welsh Ministers think fit and may, amongst other factors, be prescribed by reference to—

(a) the physical characteristics of, or other matters relating to, dwellings;

(b) the circumstances of, or other matters relating to, any person who is liable to the amount of council tax concerned.

(7) Where a determination under this section has effect in relation to a class of dwellings—

(a) the billing authority may not make a determination under section 12(3) or (4) in relation to that class, and

(b) any determination that has been made under section 12(3) or (4) ceases to have effect in relation to that class.

(8) A billing authority may make a determination varying or revoking a determination under this section for a financial year, but only before the beginning of the year.

(9) Where a billing authority makes a determination under this section it must publish a notice of the determination in at least one newspaper circulating in its area.

(10) The notice must be published before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determination.

(11) The validity of a determination is not affected by a failure to comply with subsection (9) or (10).

(12) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations specify a different percentage limit for the limit which is for the time being specified in subsection (1)(b).

(13) A statutory instrument containing regulations made under subsection (12) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.

(14) Any other statutory instrument containing regulations made under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

12

(1) Regulations under paragraph 11 made by the Welsh Ministers may amend Chapter 1 of Part 1 (but not this Schedule) for the purpose of providing that a person who, under the regulations, is to be disregarded for the purposes of discount on a particular day is also not to be jointly or severally liable to pay council tax in respect of any chargeable dwelling and that day.

(2) Regulations which make provision as described in sub-paragraph (1) may also make provision about how liability to pay the council tax in respect of a dwelling is to be determined.

11C

(1) For any financial year, a billing authority in England may by determination provide in relation to its area, or such part of its area as it may specify in the determination, that if on any day the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) are satisfied in respect of a dwelling—

(a) the discount under section 11(2)(a) does not apply, and

(b) the amount of council tax payable in respect of that dwelling and that day is increased by such percentage of not more than 100 as it may specify in the determination.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) there is no resident of the dwelling, and

(b) the dwelling is substantially furnished.

(3) A billing authority’s first determination under this section must be made at least one year before the beginning of the financial year to which it relates.

(4) In exercising its functions under this section a billing authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(5) Where a determination under this section has effect in relation to a class of dwellings—

(a) the billing authority may not make a determination under section 11A(3), (4) or (4A) in relation to that class, and

(b) any determination that has been made under section 11A(3), (4) or (4A) ceases to have effect in relation to that class.

(6) A billing authority may make a determination varying or revoking a determination under this section for a financial year, but only before the beginning of the year.

(7) Where a billing authority makes a determination under this section it must publish a notice of the determination in at least one newspaper circulating in the area.

(8) The notice must be published before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determination.

(9) The validity of the determination is not affected by a failure to comply with subsection (7) or (8).

11D

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe one or more classes of dwelling in relation to which a billing authority may not make a determination under section 11C.

(2) A class of dwellings may be prescribed under subsection (1) by reference to such factors as the Secretary of State thinks fit and may, amongst other factors, be prescribed by reference to—

(a) the physical characteristics of, or other matters relating to, dwellings;

(b) the circumstances of, or other matters relating to, any person who is liable to the amount of council tax concerned.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify a different percentage limit for the limit which is for the time being specified in section 11C (1)(b).

(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations made under subsection (3) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been approved by resolution of the House of Commons.

11E

(1) Where subsection (2) or (3) apply in respect of any chargeable dwelling in Wales and any day, the amount of council tax payable in respect of the dwelling for the day is subject to a discount of an amount prescribed, or calculated in accordance with provision prescribed, by the Welsh Ministers in regulations (but see also section 11F).

(2) This subsection applies where, on the day concerned—

(a) any of the following criteria is met—

(i) there is only one resident of the dwelling and that resident does not fall to be disregarded for the purposes of discount,

(ii) there are two or more residents of the dwelling and each of them except one falls to be disregarded for the purposes of discount, or

(iii) there are one or more residents of the dwelling and each of them falls to be disregarded for the purposes of discount, and

(b) any further conditions prescribed by the Welsh Ministers in regulations are met.

(3) This subsection applies where, on the day concerned, such other criteria as may be prescribed by the Welsh Ministers in regulations are met.

(4) Regulations made under subsection (1) may—

(a) prescribe a different amount of discount, or different provision for calculating an amount of discount, in relation to different criteria (including in relation to any criteria prescribed in accordance with subsection (3));

(b) make provision about cases where more than one discount applies (including, but not limited to, making provision about the amount of council tax that is payable).

(5) For the purpose of subsection (2), a person falls to be disregarded for the purposes of discount if the person is of a description prescribed by the Welsh Ministers in regulations.

(6) Regulations made under subsection (2)(b) or (3) may prescribe conditions or criteria (as the case may be) by reference to—

(a) the type or physical characteristics of, or other matters relating to, dwellings;

(b) the circumstances of, or other matters relating to, any person who is liable to the amount of council tax concerned.

(7) Any statutory instrument containing regulations made under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, Senedd Cymru.

11F

(1) Where council tax payable in respect of any chargeable dwelling in Wales and any day is subject to a discount because section 11E(1) applies, the Welsh Ministers may for any financial year by regulations prescribe classes of dwelling in relation to which the amount of the discount is subject to any determination made in accordance with subsection (2).

(2) For any financial year, a billing authority in Wales may determine in relation to its area, or such part of its area as it may specify, that the discount in relation to a class of dwellings prescribed—

(a) does not apply, or

(b) is less than the amount of discount prescribed or calculated under section 11E(1).

(3) A class of dwellings may be prescribed under subsection (1) by reference to—

(a) the type or physical characteristics of, or other matters relating to, dwellings;

(b) the circumstances of, or other matters relating to, any person who is liable to the amount of council tax concerned.

(4) A billing authority may vary or revoke a determination for a financial year, but only before the beginning of that year.

(5) A billing authority that makes a determination under this section must, before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day the determination is made—

(a) publish a notice of the determination electronically, and

(b) make arrangements for members of the public who would otherwise not be able to access that notice to do so.

(6) The validity of a determination is not affected by a failure to comply with subsection (5).

(7) Any statutory instrument containing regulations made under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, Senedd Cymru.

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