Citation, extent and commencement

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Council Tax (Discount Disregards) (Amendment) Order 2011.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales and comes into force on 13th May 2011.

Amendments to the Council Tax (Discounts Disregards) Order 1992

2. The Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992(2) is amended as follows.

Amendments to Article 5 relating to prescribed educational establishments

3. In article 5 (prescribed educational establishments), for paragraph (2) substitute the following paragraph-

"(2) For the purposes of paragraph 5(4) of Schedule 1 to the Act, the bodies prescribed for the definition of "institution" are those institutions situated in England and Wales which-

(a)in relation to students, are defined as prescribed educational establishments in Part I of Schedule 2 to this Order; and

(b)in relation to student nurses, are defined as prescribed educational establishments in Part II of that Schedule.".

Amendments to Schedule 1 relating to definition of students, etc

4. In paragraph 3 of Part II (students) of Schedule 1 (definition of students, etc)-

(a)for "attending" substitute "undertaking", and

(b)for "attend" substitute "undertake".

5. In paragraph 4(1) of Part II of Schedule 1, for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute-

"(b)which persons undertaking it are normally required by the educational establishment concerned to undertake periods of study, tuition or work experience (whether at premises of the establishment or otherwise)-

(i)of at least 24 weeks in each academic or calendar year (as the case may be) during which it subsists, and

(ii)which taken together amount in each such academic or calendar year to an average of at least 21 hours a week."

6. In paragraph 6(2) of Part II of Schedule 1, for the definition of "course of higher education" substitute-

""course of higher education" means a course which is within the meaning of the definition of "higher education" in paragraph 2 of Part I of Schedule 2 to this Order.".

Amendments to Schedule 2 relating to prescribed educational establishments

7. In Part I (establishments for students) of Schedule 2 (prescribed educational establishments), for paragraphs 1 and 2(3) substitute-

"1. Subject to paragraph (3) below, an institution is a prescribed educational establishment within this Part if it is-

(a)situated in a member State, and

(b)established solely or mainly for the purpose of providing further or higher education.

2. In this Part-

"further education", in relation to a member State, means-

"higher education", in relation to a member State, means any course of education the successful completion of which results in any of the following qualifications-

"relevant authority", in relation to a member State, means the authority which in relation to that State has sole or primary responsibility for the regulation of higher education.".

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Council Tax (Discounts Disregards) Order 1992 ("the 1992 Order"). It extends to England and Wales (see article 1).

Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ("the 1992 Act") concerns council tax in England and Wales. Paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the 1992 Act provides that an institution shall, on request, supply a certificate to any person who is following a course of education at that institution as a student or a student nurse. For these purposes "institution", "student" and "student nurse" have the meanings assigned to them by order made by the Secretary of State in relation to England and Welsh Ministers in relation to Wales (see generally paragraphs 4(2) and 5(4) of Schedule 1 to the 1992 Act). The 1992 Order defines these terms for the purposes of the 1992 Act.

Articles 4 and 5 of this Order amend paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II (students) of Schedule 1 (definition of students, etc) to the 1992 Order. Those paragraphs specify the circumstances in which a person is to be regarded as undertaking a full-time course of education. Articles 4 and 5 amend those paragraphs so that the requirement for attendance in relation to a full-time course of education is replaced by a requirement to undertake such a course.

Article 7 of this Order amends paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I (establishments for students) of Schedule 2 (prescribed educational establishments) to the 1992 Order. Those paragraphs define prescribed educational establishments by reference to legislation which applies in relation to Great Britain. Article 7 substitutes those paragraphs with paragraphs which define prescribed educational establishments by reference to establishments situated in any member State of the European Union.

Articles 3 and 6 of this Order make amendments which are consequential on the amendments in article 7.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.