Commons Conservators Plan Above Inflation Levy Rise
Holding consultation on increasing charges by over a quarter to fund maintenance
Putney Common. Picture: Andrew Wilson
September 8, 2023
The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) are launching a formal consultation to seek views on their plans to increase the Commons’ levy.
Since 1990 the rate charged has risen in line with inflation, but the Conservators say this is no longer sufficient to fund the sustainable management of the Commons.
The annual charge for a Band D property in the levy-paying area would rise from £35.96 to £45.01 an increase of 26.2%.
The increases proposed range from £6.03 for a Band A property to £18.10 a year for a Band H property. If approved this will provide an extra £375,000 a year which the Conservators say will support the annual costs associated with the Commons’ Masterplan, balance WPCC’s operating budget, and finance works to buildings and the landscape that have been deferred due to budget constraints.
The Conservators refused to consider holding the rise of the levy below the rate of inflation in previous years despite pleas from both Merton and Wandsworth Councils. They said the ‘difficult decision’ to increase the charge by 12.6% in line with the rise in the RPI and the maximum allowable under the 1990 levy regulations was unavoidable
The consultation follows an informal consultation that was carried out in autumn 2022. The upkeep of the Commons is mainly funded by the levy on properties within three quarters of a mile of the perimeter of Wimbledon Common, measured by the most direct route along roads or footpaths, or within the old Parish of Putney as it was in 1871. The levy is collected on behalf of WPCC by the local authorities in which the Commons fall - Wandsworth, Merton and Kingston. Those not liable to pay council tax will not be affected as they do not pay the levy.
The Conservators are also organising a series of public meetings to provide an opportunity to meet the WPCC team, ask questions and learn more about the levy consultation. The consultation will close on 29 October.
A map of the levy area can be found here: Levy Area Map.
If you think that you live in the levy-paying area but have not received any documentation, e-mail consultation@wpcc.org.uk or telephone on 020 8788 7655.
A copy of the consultation document can be found here. Consultation Document
Opportunities to meet the WPCC team, ask questions and learn more about the levy and consultation will be held in the following locations:
- Wednesday 11 October at 7pm – Sacred Heart Church Lower Hall, Edge Hill, Wimbledon SW19 4LU
- Tuesday 17 October at 7pm - Putney Community Church, Werter Road, Putney SW15 2LL
- Thursday 19 October at 7pm - Roehampton Holy Trinity Church, Ponsonby Road SW15 4LA
- Saturday 21 October at 5pm - Online via Zoom. Register here.
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