Issue - meetings

To approve the schedule of discounts and exemptions and agree the council tax base for 2020-21.

Councillor Vikki Mills presented the report to cabinet.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the schedule of discounts and exemptions in paragraph 12 of the report, which remains unchanged, with an exception for long-term empty dwellings effective from 1 April 2020 onwards, be agreed.

2.  That it be agreed that the council tax base for 2020-21 is set at 106,284 (103,662 in 2019-20) band D equivalent dwellings.

3.  That it be agreed that the assumed council tax collection level should remain at 97.20% for 2020-21 (97.20% in 2019-20), noting the risks outlined in paragraphs 23, 24 and 25.

4.  That it be noted that the council tax base for 2020-21 for St. Mary Newington parish is set at 11,994 (12,129 in 2019-20) band D equivalent dwellings.

5.  That it be noted that the council tax base for 2020-21 for St. Saviour’s parish is set at 1,346 (1,259 in 2019-20) band D equivalent dwellings.

6.  That it be noted that that:

·  a minor change be made to the council tax reduction scheme for 2020-21, as set out in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report.

·  any minor and consequential amendments to the CTRS written policy are to remain delegated to the Strategic Director of Finance and Governance, in consultation with the monitoring officer.

7.  That it be noted that the NNDR1 return for 2020-21 showing the national non-domestic rates base will be approved by the Strategic Director of Finance and Governance in January 2020.

8.  That the proposed extension of the current council tax section 13a policy[1] covering discretionary relief be noted (refer to paragraph 17 of the report):

·  to continue the council tax discretionary relief (0% to 100%) for young people leaving Southwark council's care aged 18 to 24 years, for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 (a third year for this scheme).

·  to continue foster carers discretionary relief (0% to 100%), for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.