Agenda item
COUNCIL TAX 2020/2021 AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS
To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Property (copy attached) to set levels of Council Tax for 2020/2021
Minutes:
The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill introduced the report (previously circulated) to set the levels of Council Tax for 2020/2021.
Councillor Thompson-Hill particularly referred to:
· The main features of the budget which had been approved on 28 January 2020
· Observations of the Head of Finance and Property on the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of reserves
· A breakdown of the precepts from City, Town and Community Councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales
· Recommendations for the levels of Council Tax 2020/2021
· A positive settlement of +4.3% in the Council’s Local Government revenue from Welsh Government
Historical data including Fire, Police and Community Councils precepts was requested to enable comparisons to be made. This was agreed to be circulated to all members.
Councillor Mark Young raised the issue of flooding. It had been reported that homes affected by flooding in England were to receive 100% Council Tax relief. He questioned whether this would happen in Wales. Also householders who had been affected by flooding in England were to receive £5000 but in Wales that figure would be £500. Councillor Young expressed his displeasure at the difference in the amounts.
The Head of Finance and Property confirmed that it was a devolved issue for Wales. Denbighshire were working closely with Citizens Advice Bureau to assist residents with claims to any funding available. A statement with all relevant contact numbers and an online link would be circulated to all members for their information.
Regarding the Council Tax Relief, local authorities would need to take this into consideration as it would be taken from their budget.
During the discussion, the Barnett formula had been referred to and it was explained that it was a very complicated formula, one block formed part of what the council received as the revenue support grant. If additional money announced during the year then it has a knock on effect to the budget in the following year.
Following the discussion, it was:
RESOLVED that Council:
(i)
Note
that it is necessary for the County Council, as the Billing Authority, to
consider the precepts received from the Police & Crime Commissioner for
North Wales and the Town/Community Councils and declare the Council Tax levels
for the 2020/2021 financial year.
(ii)
Approve
the recommendation that the amounts calculated by the Council for the 2020/2021
financial year, in accordance with Sections 32 to 34 (1) of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act) and Alteration of Requisite Calculations
(Wales) Regulations 2008 be as Appendix A section 3.
(iii)
Approve
the recommendation that the amounts calculated by the Council for 2020/2021
financial year, in accordance with Sections 34 (2) to 36 (1) of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act) be as Appendix A section 4.
(iv)
That
the amounts of Council Tax for the 2020/2021 financial year for each of the
categories of dwellings be as shown in Appendix C.
(v)
Approve
the level of discount for Class A, B and C as prescribed under the Council Tax
(Prescribed Class of Dwellings)(Wales) Regulations
2004 be set at zero for the financial year 2020/2021 with the caveat that this
is dependent on no changes to legislation or local conditions.
Supporting documents:
- Council Tax Setting Report 20-21, item 5. PDF 25 KB
- Appendix A Council Tax, item 5. PDF 309 KB
- Appendix B and C CTAX 2020-21 report setting, item 5. PDF 89 KB