Consultation on the Commons Levy
Conservators agree to pursue an increase in the levy following a positive consultation response
During the autumn of 2023, the Conservators conducted a formal public consultation exercise on a potential increase in WPCC’s levy. The consultation was conducted over a six-week period by sending the consultation document through the post to all 44,500 households in the levy-paying area; recipients were invited to respond to the consultation online or by freepost. The Conservators also invited key stakeholders, including the MPs for Wimbledon, Putney and Richmond Park, the local authorities of Kingston, Merton and Wandsworth, as well as the Wimbledon Society and Putney Society to make representations.
Responses were received from 5,969 levy-paying households. The results indicated that a clear majority of respondents (79%) were in favour of the proposed increase with 21% (1,259 respondents) expressing their opposition. The primary reasons cited by those against the increase were the current cost of living challenges and a lack of utilisation of the Commons.
On 4 December 2023, the Conservators met to consider the results from the consultation and to decide how to proceed in respect of the levy proposal. Given the high level of support and having considered the representations and comments made through the consultation process, the Conservators agreed to pursue a levy increase in line with the proposal in the consultation document and have now contacted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) about the matter. In reaching their decision, the Conservators were very cognisant of the current cost of living situation and were satisfied that all exemptions and benefits to which residents are entitled for council tax purposes will also apply to the levy.
The Conservators also reviewed a draft version of the consultation report and this was subsequently approved at their Board meeting on 11 December 2023. A copy of the approved consultation report and the Resolutions taken at the meeting can be found here:
The decision to move forward with the levy increase reflects the Board's commitment to maintaining the Commons and ensuring its sustainability in the face of evolving ecological and community needs.
Report of the Public Meetings
Four public meetings were held during the consultation period (three in person and one online) to provide levy-payers with an opportunity to learn more about the levy proposal and ask questions.
A combined note of all the meetings, highlighting the questions raised and including the presentation slides, can be found here:
Note of the public meetings and slide presentation
The Conservators would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and, in particular, for the comments made as part of the consultation. These are all being considered and we will post a review of the comments, along with WPCC's response, in the new year.
**Update 30 October 2023
The consultation has now closed. Once the consultation results are available from Civica, the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators will consider the responses received and publish a summary on this page.
**Update 26 October 2023
If you have not received, or have mislaid, your documents, we cannot send a new pack but you can find a copy of the consultation document here: Consultation Document. Then please contact the Ranger’s Office via e-mail with your address details and we can organise a means for you to respond online. Please e-mail consultation@wpcc.org.uk
The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) are consulting households in the levy-paying area on a proposal to increase the levy to fund the sustainable management of the Commons.
If you live in a levy-paying household, you should receive the consultation documents through the post in mid September 2023. The documents consist of an information leaflet setting out the proposal, along with a postcard on which you can respond and a freepost envelope to return the card. Alternatively, you can respond electronically through a link that is provided on the reply card.
Please do not return your response to the Ranger's Office as the responses are being collated by Civica, an external organisation.
If your household falls in the levy-paying area and you have not received your documents by 18 September, please e-mail the Ranger’s Office on consultation@wpcc.org.uk
How do I know if I pay the levy?
The upkeep of the Commons is mainly funded by a 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 councils and will be noted on your council tax statement. If you are not liable to pay council tax, then you will not be affected by the proposed increase as you do not pay the levy.
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, please e-mail us at consultation@wpcc.org.uk or telephone on 020 8788 7655.
A copy of the consultation document can be found here. Consultation Document
Public Meetings
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 2023 at 7pm – Sacred Heart Church Lower Hall, Edge Hill, Wimbledon London SW19 4LU
- Tuesday 17 October 2023 from 7pm. Formal meeting starts at 7.30pm. Putney Community Church, Werter Road, Putney SW15 2LL
- Thursday 19 October 2023 from 7pm. Formal meeting starts at 7.30pm. Roehampton Holy Trinity Church, Ponsonby Road SW15 4LA
- Saturday 21 October 2023 at 5pm - Online via Zoom. Register here: https://bit.ly/Levy-Meeting
Questions and answers
We have endeavoured to anticipate some additional questions that you might have and these can be found below. If your question is not answered here, please e-mail us at consultation@wpcc.org.uk or telephone on 020 8788 7655.
In this set of Questions and Answers, we have recorded additional questions that have been raised with us.