Recommendation from Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Medium Term Financial Plan Task and Finish Group
To consider the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16th September, 2024,
RECOMMENDED to Executive that:
1. The Council Tax Policy is amended to remove the 100% Council Tax exemption (1 month period) for empty, unfurnished properties. This revokes a decision made by Full Council on 15 January 2013 and concerns only the Class C discount
2. The Discretionary Non-Domestic (Business) Rate Relief Policy is amended to reflect the following changes:
b. 50% maximum award for ‘Not for Profit’ Organisations (£1,500 Cap would also still apply)
c. Maximum two years awards at any one time. After that organisations must re-apply and then depending on circumstances relief can be re-awarded on a one or two year basis if eligible
d. The policy will be strengthened to make it clear that Teignbridge District Council view Discretionary Rate Relief as a short-term assistance to allow the organisation to establish itself and achieve financial stability and are not minded to use discretionary rate relief as a financial top-up for organisations that are not otherwise financially viable.
3. Councillors Community Fund to continue at £1,000 per annum per member with a minimum grant level of £150 to improve the benefits received by the applicant and to ensure that Council resources are used more efficiently
4. All Service managers to present options for Fees and charges for their area of control to generate an additional 10% income (5% over the assumed MTFP level) from 1 April 2025 together with the implications. In addition, the following charges will be implemented in all Teignbridge Council Car-Parks where the fees currently apply:
i. Coach parking to be increased to a flat rate of £10 from £4 (Up to 4 hours) /£6 (All day transferable). All tickets will be transferable between Teignbridge Car-Parks that have Coach Parking spaces
ii. Sunday Parking to be increased to £2 from £1.20 (+67%) in all Car-Parks where that rate applies. In the resorts, this is only during the low season of 1 November – 31 March as at other times of the year, charges apply Monday to Sunday
5. Approval of Council tax increases at the maximum allowed, currently £5.70 (2.99%) in 2024/25.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair/Task and Finish Group Chair presented the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16th September, 2024, and thanks all Cllrs of the group and officers who had provided support.
In response to a question regarding details of the mitigation in relation to recommendation 2, it was noted that 21 of 25 cases that were currently capped would continue to be capped but that these businesses could apply for 75% retail and hospitality relief at present.
It was unanimously,
RECOMMENDED to Full Council that:-
1. The Council Tax Policy is amended to remove the 100% Council Tax exemption (1 month period) for empty, unfurnished properties. This revokes a decision made by Full Council on 15 January 2013 and concerns only the Class C discount
2. The Discretionary Non-Domestic (Business) Rate Relief Policy is amended to reflect the following changes:
b. 50% maximum award for ‘Not for Profit’ Organisations (£1,500 Cap would also still apply)
c. Maximum two years awards at any one time. After that organisations must re-apply and then depending on circumstances relief can be re-awarded on a one or two year basis if eligible
d. The policy will be strengthened to make it clear that Teignbridge District Council view Discretionary Rate Relief as a short-term assistance to allow the organisation to establish itself and achieve financial stability and are not minded to use discretionary rate relief as a financial top-up for organisations that are not otherwise financially viable.
RESOLVED that:-
3. Councillors Community Fund to continue at £1,000 per annum per member with a minimum grant level of £150 to improve the benefits received by the applicant and to ensure that Council resources are used more efficiently
4. All Service managers to present options for Fees and charges for their area of control to generate an additional 10% income (5% over the assumed MTFP level) from 1 April 2025 together with the implications. In addition, the following charges will be implemented in all Teignbridge Council Car-Parks where the fees currently apply:
i. Coach parking to be increased to a flat rate of £10 from £4 (Up to 4 hours) /£6 (All day transferable). All tickets will be transferable between Teignbridge Car-Parks that have Coach Parking spaces
ii. Sunday Parking to be increased to £2 from £1.20 (+67%) in all Car-Parks where that rate applies. In the resorts, this is only during the low season of 1 November – 31 March as at other times of the year, charges apply Monday to Sunday
5. Approval of Council tax increases at the maximum allowed, currently £5.70 (2.99%) in 2024/25.