Decision details

To set the council tax and national non domestic rate bases

(See pages 12 – 26 of the main agenda and page 11 of supplemental agenda 2)

This report was considered after the guillotine had fallen, therefore in accordance with council assembly procedure rule 1.12 (3) & (4), the report was afforded up to a maximum of 15 minutes.

In accordance with council assembly procedure rule 2.11 (2), the report was formally moved by the Mayor.

The Mayor advised of a change to paragraphs 5 and 14 of the report, whereby 2014/15 should read 2015/16.

Councillors Fiona Colley and Tom Flynn moved and seconded Amendment D.

Councillors Anood Al-Samerai and James Barber moved and seconded Amendment E.

Following debate (Councillors Richard Livingsone and Nick Dolezal), the Mayor announced that the meeting would move to the vote on the amendments and the substantive.

Amendment D was put to the vote and declared to be carried.

Amendment E was put to the vote and declared to be lost.

The substantive motion was put the to the vote and declared to be carried.

RESOLVED:

1.  That council assembly notes that in accordance with the decisions of council assembly about council tax on 28 November 2012:

1)  That the local discretionary premium for homes counted as long-term empty (over 2 years) shall remain unchanged and be set at 150%.

2)  That the discount for second homes shall remain unchanged and be set at 0%.

3)  That the discount to replace class A exemptions shall remain unchanged and be set at 0%.

4)  That the discount to replace class C exemptions shall remain unchanged and be set at 100% for a maximum of two months only.

2.  That the council reviews all council tax exemptions for empty homes.

3.  That the council tax base for 2015/16 be set at 87,727.28 band D equivalent dwellings, as shown in paragraph 34 of the report.

4.  That the assumed council tax collection level should be increased to 96.75% noting the risks outlined in paragraph 27 of the report.

5.  That the council tax base for 2015/16 for St. Mary Newington be set at 10,515.90 band D equivalent dwellings.

6.  That the council tax base for 2015/16 for St. Saviour’s be set at 1,167.32 band D equivalent dwellings.

7.  That the council tax reduction scheme (CTRS) for both working and pensionable age claimants shall remain unchanged in 2015/16, and note the consequential reduction in tax base of 21,645 band D equivalent dwellings as shown in paragraph 46 of the report.

8.  That it be noted that:

·  Any minor and consequential amendments to the CTRS written policy are to remain delegated to the strategic director of finance and corporate services, in consultation with the monitoring officer.

·  Nochanges were made under the Strategic Director of Finance and Corporate Services’ delegated authority during 2014/15.

9.  That it be noted that following clarification from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the NNDR1 return showing the national non-domestic rates base will be signed off by the council’s section 151 officer (strategic director of finance and corporate services).