Issue - meetings

To approve the schedule of discounts and exemptions and agree the council tax base for 2021-22.

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the council tax base calculation for 2021-22 must be made between 1 December 2020 and 31 January 2021. The figure was used for revenue budget setting purposes and has historically been reported to members at the December 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 (empty at least 10 years), effective from 1 April 2021 onwards be approved.

2.  That the council tax base for 2021-22 be set at 105,678 (106,284 in 2020-21) band D equivalent dwellings be agreed.

3.  That it be agreed the assumed council tax collection level should remain at 97.20% for 2021-22 (97.20% in 2020-21), noting the risks outlined in paragraphs 23, 24 and 25 of the report.

4.  That it be noted that the council tax base for 2021-22 for St. Mary Newington parish is set at 11,896 (11,994 in 2020-21) band D equivalent dwellings.

5.  That it be noted that the council tax base for 2021-22 for St. Saviour’s parish is set at 1,246 (1,346 in 2020-21) band D equivalent dwellings.

6.  That the following be noted:

·  No changes to the council tax reduction scheme (CTRS) for 2021-22, as set out in paragraphs 19 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 2021-22 showing the national non-domestic rates base will be approved by the strategic director of finance and governance in January 2021.

8.  That the proposed continuation of the current council tax section 13a (1)(c) policy covering discretionary relief terms (refer to paragraph 18 of the report) be noted:

·  to continue 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 2021 to 31 March 2022

·  to continue foster carers discretionary relief (0% to 100%), for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.