Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources presented the report to consider the proposed council tax base of 49,714 for 2020/21 as recommended by the Executive on 7 January 2020 and considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 14 January 2020.

The recommendation was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, seconded by Councillor Bullivant and carried.

RESOLVED that the Council the council tax base of 49,714 for 2020/21 at appendix A of the circulated report be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services presented the report to consider the initial financial plan proposals 2020/21 to 2022/23 to be published for comments over the next six weeks and recommend to Council the council tax base for 2020/21. He brought Members’ attention to the main issues that had been taken into account when drafting these initial plans. It was proposed to increase the level of council tax by £5, the maximum allowed without having to hold a referendum. The Council currently kept 9% per week of the total council tax collected for its services, 4% went to parish and town councils for their local precepts. A council tax base of 49,714 was recommended to Council.

Members were advised of the budget pressures that the Council would face in the medium term, the savings that had been identified, and the significant drop in government funding and cost changes that currently and in future years would affect the Council.

Non-Executive Members raised concerns regarding the proposals to abolish the rural aid funding and reduce the councillor community grant funding as this would have a greater impact on the rural communities in the district who already had fewer resources available to them. Members should look at a meaningful sacrifice scheme in respect of the allowances they receive.  

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services commented that the financial plan proposals were currently out for consultation and that Overview and Scrutiny Committee would have the opportunity to bring forward their suggestions for Council to consider. Members have the option to forgo part or all of their allowance. 

The recommendation was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and seconded by the Portfolio Holder for Waste Management & Environmental Health.

RECOMMENDED to Council that it approves the council tax base of 49,714 for 2020/21 at appendix 2.