Your council tax The year ahead - Manchester City Council
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Your council tax
The year ahead
manchester.gov.uk
Front cover: Our reablement service – supporting people to regain their independence
Focusing on
A message from Sir Richard Leese,
Leader of Manchester City Council vital services
Your council tax helps fund a wide range of
vital services for Manchester people.
Despite the name, it also includes elements that
help cover the cost of Greater Manchester's police,
fire service and elected mayor.
But the largest part is for Council-run services:
looking after the young and old, and providing the
day-to-day services that every household benefits
from, such as collecting the bins, running parks and
libraries, and looking after roads, pavements and
street lighting.
This sheer range of services means we need to be
focused on what matters to you most. You told
us about this in a large-scale consultation that
informed our previous budget, and we’re sticking
to these established priorities.
You told us the things you valued most were
care and support for vulnerable people, helping
families in poverty, supporting people out of
homelessness, improving access to jobs and
training, and maintaining and improving our
roads, as well as leisure investment to help keep
people active and happy.
2On top of this, there is a new priority that must run We are continuing our programme of investment
through everything we do: radically reducing the in the city's roads, including pothole repairs, and
emissions of greenhouse gases as we work towards pavements. This includes improvements to some
the city's ambitious goal of becoming zero-carbon of the city's most congested roads to improve
by 2038 or earlier – at least 12 years ahead of the traffic flow. Free-flowing traffic is less polluting;
national target. The Council declared a climate electric cars and zero-carbon buses will still need
emergency last year and we are determined to roads, and we are also investing in improved
halve our own carbon emissions in the next five walking and cycling infrastructure as well as
years alone. Since 2008/09 we have already cut supporting public transport.
them by 48%. We will also be working hard with
partner organisations and residents to ensure Tackling fly-tipping and litter is another high
everyone can contribute to this mission. priority – we have teams not just clearing up
the mess but also investigating and prosecuting
Council tax only accounts for a comparatively small the perpetrators.
proportion of our budget, and Government funding
is not keeping pace with increasing pressures as the The Council provides crucial services for which
number of vulnerable people grows after a decade your council tax contribution is essential.
of austerity. Indeed, the amount we raise in council
tax each year doesn't even cover the cost of adult
social care.
I hope this explains why we feel we have no choice Sir Richard Leese
but to charge the 2% adult social care precept, Leader of Manchester City Council
which the Government allows, with a further 1.99%
increase in our part of the council tax to protect
and invest in other services.
Even allowing for this we have still needed to find
savings, largely through efficiencies. But none
of these have come from our adult social care,
children's services or homelessness directorate in
recognition of the vital work they do and the
challenges they face.
3Investing in what
Manchester people value
Our plans for spending on Council Climate emergency
services normally span three years This year, we’ve updated our priorities to include
more investment in the environment. This
or more. However, Brexit uncertainty includes action to cut our carbon emissions by
and the end-of-year general election 50% over the next five years, as we aim to make
made our usual long-term budgeting Manchester zero-carbon in line with our 2019
declaration of a climate emergency. This spending
impossible for the coming financial
will ensure that our city’s growth into a top-
year, 2020/21. ranking world city is good growth that brings
good jobs and opportunities, and that all our
Instead, we have set a balanced budget of residents have the skills to take up those jobs.
£665million – sticking to the priorities residents
have told us matter most to them. See details
You can see headlines from our spending plans
This year, we will spend £42.9million more than on these pages. Full details of all our spending
last year. This will address the ongoing pressures plans for Council services are in our budget reports
on priority services hit by a decade of austerity at www.manchester.gov.uk/budget
imposed since 2010. We will use the increase to
invest in social care for children and vulnerable
adults, and homelessness services.
To help fund this, we’ll find around £7.5million of
savings from efficiencies in how we run and staff
services, and use the revenue we make from fees
and charges.
Council tax
We will also increase the part of the council tax
that pays for Council services by 1.99%, raising
£3.2million.
A further rise (called ‘adult social care precept’),
earmarked for our most vulnerable residents –
older people and those with learning disabilities
– and services for people with mental health
needs, will add another 2% to council tax, raising
£3.3million.
This will add just over £36 to the year’s council tax
for most residents (band A).
4Refreshed priorities for
2020/21
Our budget for Council services for Care and support
2020/21 continues to fund the priorities for vulnerable
that Manchester people put first. adults
Learning disabilities,
Government reductions since 2011/12 have cut our mental health,
spending power by 24%. During that time we've independence at
been forced to make savings of £380million and home, daily living
to cut around 4,000 staff who delivered services – support, keeping
in spite of a growing need among our most vulnerable people safe:
vulnerable residents. £224.28million
To balance the books and to cope with these Family poverty,
pressures, we’ve increased council tax this year,
which will raise £6.5million. This is just some of
jobs and training
what’s needed to support vulnerable people and Adult education,
homelessness services. work and skills training:
£1.747million
The best start in life
Children and Education: Tackling homelessness
£139.17million Homeless accommodation, rough sleeping
outreach, homeless families, private tenant
School starters who are support:
‘ready to learn’ £15.94million
UP 20% in five years
‘Good’ and ‘outstanding’ Neighbourhoods in good shape
schools
Waste, recycling, street cleaning, litter
93% of primaries
and fly-tipping:
79% of secondaries
£50.33million
Roads and pavements:
£14.93million
Libraries, galleries and
culture:
£14.02million
Parks, leisure, youth
and events:
£7.71million
5How we work out your bill
The amount you have to pay
depends on which of the eight 2% of the rise in council tax for 2020/21 goes to
council tax bands your home help fund adult social care – see page 11 for details.
is in. A Government body called Band 2020/21* Value at 1 April 1991
the Valuation Office Agency
A £1,149.80 Up to £40,000
decides which band your
property is in. Your bill tells B £1,341.43 £40,001 – £52,000
you which band you’re in. C £1,533.07 £52,001 – £68,000
D £1,724.71 £68,001 – £88,000
You may have to pay the full
amount, or you may be able E £2,107.97 £88,001 – £120,000
to get money off (for example, F £2,491.24 £120,001 – £160,000
if you live on your own, people
G £2,874.51 £160,001 – £320,000
in your household qualify for a
discount or exemption, or you H £3,449.42 £320,001 and over
are on a low income and qualify *This includes the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept
for Council Tax Support). and the Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services).
Where the money goes
Manchester City Council’s spending 2020/21
Your council tax helps to fund local services, such as social care for vulnerable people; and
support for children, young adults and elderly people. It also pays for waste and recycling,
schools, libraries, leisure centres, street cleaning, parks and much more.
7.6% 6.7% 6.2%
(£50.33million) (£44.51million) (£40.96million)
Waste Collections, Interest and Transport
Recycling and capital financing
Street Cleansing costs
2.1% 2.1%
(£14.08million) (£14.02million)
Neighbourhood Libraries, Galleries
Services and Culture
6How council tax is calculated Manchester City Council’s income 2020/21
Most of the money we collect is spent on Total resources: £665million
local council services. However, some of
Dividends and use of reserves:
it pays for things that benefit the whole
12.7%
of Greater Manchester, such as police
and fire services, and getting rid of waste. £84.37million
Business rates:
All councils in Greater Manchester make 46.6% Council tax: 26.2%
a similar contribution. Your bill shows
£6mhow these costs are made
£11m
up.
£ 309.69million £174.47million
Parks and Culture
Open Spaces
Example of breakdown for council tax band D:
£16m
+ +
Other Core services
and Corporate Requirements
= Grants and other
external funding: 14.5%
£96.47million
Council Mayoral Police Mayoral General Council
services and Crime Precept (including tax band D
£219m Commissioner
Precept
£37m
Fire Services)
Families, Health Transport
and£1,425.46
Wellbeing £208.30 Levy £90.95 £1,724.71
33.7% 20.9% 8.9%
(£224.28million) (£139.17million) (£59.24million)
Services for Adults Services for Children Corporate Core
Services
3.2% 2.4% 2.2%
(£21.42million) (£15.94million) (£14.93million)
Other spending, such as Homelessness Highways – road
reserves and emergency funds and pavement
maintenance
1.5% 1.3% 1.2%
(£10.24million) (£7.71million) (£8.17million)
Revenue and Parks, Leisure, Growth and
Benefits Service Youth and Events Development
Note: figures and percentages have been rounded.
7Your council tax explained Unoccupied homes
Homes that are unoccupied and substantially
unfurnished are charged 100% of the council tax for
up to two years, 200% after two years, and 300%
after five years. These include newly built homes
from the date they are completed if they remain
Council tax discounts unoccupied and substantially unfurnished.
The full council tax bill is due when there are two
or more adults living in a property. If only one Homes that are empty and furnished will
adult lives there, we will reduce the bill by 25%. be charged 100% of the bill; this includes
This is called a single-person discount. second homes.
You could get a 25% or 50% discount even when The Council no longer offers a discount when a
there are two or more adult residents, and an property is undergoing major work, or for the
exemption may apply in some cases – see first month an unfurnished property is empty.
Exempt homes section on page 9. We don’t
Annexes
count the following people when we decide
There is a 50% discount for an annexe that is
on the number of adults living in a property:
either being used as part of the main residence
• Full-time students and some student nurses or occupied by relatives of the person who is
• Apprentices and youth trainees responsible for council tax on the main property
(see Exempt homes section on page 9).
• Patients resident in hospital
• People who are being looked after in care homes Armed forces
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
• People staying in certain hostels or night shelters
empty because you are a serving member of the
• 18 and 19-year-olds who are at school or armed services who is posted away from home
college, or who have just left school or college in the course of your duties.
• Care workers working for low pay (usually
Care leavers
for charities)
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
partner or a child under 18 discount of up to 100%.
• People aged 18 or over for whom Child Benefit
Reductions for disabled people
is paid
You may be entitled to a reduction in your
• Foreign language assistants who are council tax if:
registered with the Central Bureau • You have a room (other than a bathroom,
• The wife, husband or dependant of a student kitchen or toilet) that is needed for a
who is not a British citizen and who cannot disabled person
take paid employment or claim benefits • You have an extra bathroom or kitchen that
• Diplomats and senior officials of international is needed for a disabled person
organisations and their husbands or wives • There is enough floor space indoors to allow
• Members of visiting forces and certain a disabled person to use a wheelchair.
international institutions
• Members of religious communities
• People in prison (except for those in prison for
non-payment of council tax or a fine).
8Telling us about changes Certain types of homes are exempt even
If your bill shows we have given you a discount though they are occupied:
or reduction, you must tell us within 21 days of
• Student halls of residence
any change of circumstances that affects your
• An annexe, if it is occupied by an elderly or
discount or reduction. If you do not, you may
dependent relative
have to pay a penalty.
• Armed forces’ accommodation owned by the
Exempt homes Ministry of Defence
There is no bill to pay while a home is left • Visiting forces’ accommodation.
unoccupied by:
Some properties are exempt because they
• People in prison (except for those in prison are occupied only by people who are:
for non-payment of council tax or a fine)
• Students
• Long-stay hospital patients or residents
• Under 18
in a care home or hostel
• Severely mentally impaired
• People receiving or providing care
• Diplomats.
• The householder, because they are away
studying For more information about claiming a discount,
• Someone who has died but probate has not reduction or exemption, visit
been granted or no letters of administration www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltax
have been made (the property can remain
exempt for up to six months after the grant Appealing against your council tax
has been made). valuation band
The following homes are also exempt: You can appeal to have your home put into a lower
valuation band, but only in certain situations.
• An unoccupied home owned by a charity,
where the last occupation supported the Making an appeal is free. Please beware of
charity’s objectives (this is exempt for up companies offering to appeal the valuation band
to six months) for you – they will usually charge you. Take care
• A home that is unoccupied because the law and, if necessary, seek further advice before
says it must not be occupied paying money or entering into a contract.
• An unoccupied home kept for ministers If you want to appeal, or need more information,
of religion email: ctnorth@voa.gsi.gov.uk
• A caravan pitch or a houseboat mooring that Telephone: 03000 501 501
is not occupied by a caravan or boat
You can also write to:
• An unoccupied property that forms part of The Valuation Office Agency
another property, such as an annexe that The Listings Officer
cannot be let separately. 17th Floor
Homes that are left unoccupied are exempt if: Manchester One
53 Portland Street
• They have been repossessed by the mortgagee
Manchester M1 3LD
• They are the responsibility of a trustee in
bankruptcy. Website: www.voa.gov.uk
You must pay the council tax while you
are waiting for a decision on your appeal.
If your appeal is successful, we will pay
back any overpayments.
9Council Tax Support Benefit fraud
You can get money off your council tax bill if you or Every penny counts towards Manchester services.
your partner have to pay council tax and you are on Benefit cheats steal millions of pounds each year
a low income. This is called Council Tax Support. – money that could be spent on other services.
The amount of help depends on your income, the The Council is committed to detecting and
size of your family, the amount of council tax you preventing fraud and abuse. We will investigate
have to pay, and whether you are pension age or those dishonestly claiming Council Tax Support
working age. and other discounts or exemptions. Where
appropriate, offenders will be prosecuted.
Have your circumstances changed?
If you are currently receiving Council Tax Support If you suspect someone is committing council
and/or Housing Benefit and you have had a tax fraud, you can report them in confidence:
change of circumstances, please let us know. Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltaxfraud
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/benefitchanges Email ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk
Do you qualify for Council Tax Support? If you suspect someone is committing Housing
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/benefits to use Benefit fraud, you can report it in three ways:
our online benefit claim and calculator to see if you By telephone: Contact the National Benefit
qualify for Council Tax Support and/or Housing Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 Monday to
Benefit (help with rent). If you qualify, you can Friday 8am–6pm. Calls are free and confidential.
claim online or contact the Benefits Service,
Online: www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud
your housing association or library for help.
By post: NBFH, Mail Handling Site A,
Please note that if you are making a new claim Wolverhampton WV98 2BP
for Universal Credit with the Department for
Work and Pensions, we will treat your Universal
Credit claim as a Council Tax Support claim as
long as you say you want to claim Council Tax For information about claiming
Support at the same time. More information is a discount, reduction or
available on our website.
exemption, visit www.
Second Adult Rebate manchester.gov.uk/counciltax
Only pension-age people can get this. If you can’t
get Council Tax Support based on your income,
you may still be able to get help with your council
tax if you are the only person liable to pay it and Every year, some of your council tax bill goes
you have another adult (or adults) on a low towards funding both the police and fire services.
income living in your home, not including your The Mayor of Greater Manchester is responsible
partner, joint tenant or joint owner. We work for setting these charges, as these services are his
out Second Adult Rebate based on the income responsibility. An additional charge is also applied
of the other adults. Your income and savings to fund other mayoral responsibilities. This is
do not affect how we work it out. explained in detail at www.greatermanchester-
For more information and to make a claim, visit ca.gov.uk/counciltax
www.manchester.gov.uk/benefits
If you don’t have access to the internet, you can
contact Greater Manchester Combined Authority
by writing to GMCA, 1st Floor, Churchgate
House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EU
or by calling 0161 778 7000.
10How we use your information
We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal information will only
be processed in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
We collect, process and store your personal information to allow us to work out and
collect council tax, to perform our legal duties, and for the prevention and detection
of fraud. We may share your information with other Council departments or other
organisations, where it is necessary or appropriate to do so.
Further information on how we use your personal information can be found in the
council tax service privacy notice at www.manchester.gov.uk/counciltaxprivacy
We also offer an automated SMS messaging service for residents, to remind them
that their council tax is due or to help administer benefit claims.
If you wish to receive the automated SMS messages, or if you already receive the
SMS messages and wish to opt out, please contact us by email at
ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk
Statement concerning adult social care funding
The Secretary of State made an offer to adult social care authorities. (“Adult social care
authorities” are local authorities which have functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014,
namely county councils in England, district councils for an area in England for which
there is no county council, London borough councils, the Common Council of the City
of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.)
The offer was the option of an adult social care authority being able to charge an
additional “precept” on its council tax without holding a referendum, to assist the
authority in meeting its expenditure on adult social care from the financial year 2016/17.
It was originally made in respect of the financial years up to and including 2019/20. If the
Secretary of State chooses to renew this offer in respect of a particular financial year,
this is subject to the approval of the House of Commons.
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.
98314 – Manchester City Council 2020You can also read
