Decision details

To set the council tax and national non-domestic rate bases

(see pages 31 - 45 of the main agenda, supplemental agenda No.4, pages 1-16 and supplemental agenda No.5, pages 1-8)

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.

There was one question on the report the response to which was circulated on blue paper at the meeting.  One supplemental question was asked of the cabinet member for finance, resources and community safety.  The questions and written responses are attached as Appendix 3 to the minutes.

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

The Mayor reminded the meeting that a revised Amendment K to this item had been circulated around the chamber.

Councillor Tim McNally, seconded by Councillor Catherine Bowman, moved Revised Amendment K.

Following debate (Councillors Richard Livingstone and Stephen Govier), at 10.18pm the Mayor announced that the time allocated to this report had expired and the meeting would move to the vote on the amendments and the substantive.

Revised Amendment K was put to the vote and declared to be lost.

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

The recommendations contained within the report were put to the vote and declared to be carried.

RESOLVED:

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

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

·  the discount for second homes shall remain unchanged and be set at 0%

·  the discount to replace Class A exemptions shall remain unchanged and be set at 0%

·  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 tax base for 2014/15 be set at 84,338.26 band D equivalent dwellings, as shown in paragraph 35.

3.  That the assumed council tax collection level should be increased to 96.5% noting the risks outlined in paragraph 27.

4.  That the council tax base for 2014/15 for St. Mary Newington be set at 10,690.01 band D equivalent dwellings.

5.  That the council tax base for 2014/15 for St. Saviour’s be set at 1,075.43 band D equivalent dwellings.

6.  That the council tax reduction scheme (CTRS) for both working and pensionable age claimants shall remain unchanged in 2014/15, and note the consequential reduction in tax base of 19,496 band D equivalent dwellings as shown in paragraph 50.

7.  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.

8.  That the net rate yield for national non domestic rates was not available when this report was finalised due to delays by the government in sending out guidance and submission document, and will be included as an addendum to this report.

9.  That the non-domestic rating income from rates retention scheme be set at £205,242,622.