Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, District Offices, College Heath Road, Mildenhall, IP28 7EY
Contact: Sharon Turner (Democratic Services Officer)
Email: sharon.turner@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Items
No. |
Item |
4. |
Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
An apology for absence was received from
Councillor Robert Everitt.
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5. |
Minutes PDF 112 KB
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on
5 June 2018 (copy attached).
Minutes:
The minutes from the meeting held on 5 June
2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the
Chairman.
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6. |
Open Forum
At each Shadow Executive (Cabinet) meeting, up
to 15 minutes shall be allocated for questions from and discussion
with, non-Shadow Executive members. Members wishing to speak during
this session should if possible, give notice in
advance. Who speaks and for how long
will be at the complete discretion of the person presiding.
Minutes:
No non-Cabinet Members in
attendance wished to speak under this item.
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7. |
Public Participation
Members of the public who live or work in the
area of the Shadow Council are invited to put one question or
statement of not more than three minutes duration relating to items
to be discussed in Part 1 of the agenda only. If a question is
asked and answered within three minutes, the person who asked the
question may ask a supplementary question that arises from the
reply.
A person who wishes to speak must register at
least 15 minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to
start.
There is an overall time limit of 15 minutes
for public speaking, which may be extended at the Chairman’s
discretion.
Minutes:
There were no questions/statements from
members of the public.
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8. |
West Suffolk Council - Setting the Strategic Context for the Development of the 2019/2020 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans PDF 139 KB
Report No: EXC/SA/18/002
Shadow Executive (Cabinet)
Members: Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder
Lead Officers: Rachael Mann and
Ben Smith
Additional documents:
Decision:
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW COUNCIL (17 July 2018):
That:-
1. The West Suffolk
Strategic Framework (subject to rebranding; wording changes from
“councils” to “council” and other
consequential amendments, which will be completed by Officers) as
its Strategic Framework from 1 April 2019, be adopted.
2.
Both the West Suffolk Medium Term Financial
Strategy, contained at Appendix A and West Suffolk Capital Strategy
contained at Appendix B to Report No: EXC/SA/18/002 as its
strategic financial framework from 1 April 2019, be
adopted.
3. The key principles
and approach for the development of the 2019-2020 budget and medium
term financial plans for West Suffolk Council as set out in Section
3 of Report No: EXC/SA/18/002, be supported, including the
consideration of a further report (setting out the proposed
approach to achieve these principles) to the Joint Informal
Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee on 25 July
2018.
and
RESOLVED:
4. That both
Leaders to write to the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on behalf of the West
Suffolk Shadow Executive, confirming the West Suffolk
Council’s plans, taking into account its implementation plan five key principles for a seven year council tax harmonisation period.
Minutes:
(Report
No: EXC/SA/18/002)
The
Shadow Executive (Cabinet) considered this report which set out the
strategic context (proposed principles, approach and timescales)
for the development of the 2019/2020 budget and the medium term
financial plans for the new West Suffolk Council from 1 April
2019.
On 12 June 2018, the West
Suffolk Shadow Council had agreed the Single Council Implementation
Plan which outlined how the functions and responsibilities of
Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury Councils would transfer to the West
Suffolk Council on 1 April 2019. The
Shadow Council’s responsibilities included the adoption of
policy and strategy and to set a budget precept for the West
Suffolk Council on 1 April 2019.
This report set out the
strategy context against which the 2019/2020 budget and medium term
financial plans were proposed to be developed between now and the
formal Council Tax and budget meeting of the Shadow Council in
February 2019.
The report also proposed that
the West Suffolk Shadow Executive supported both the Leader and
Deputy Leader (the Leaders) in writing to the Ministry for Housing,
Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on behalf of the West
Suffolk Shadow Executive confirming the West Suffolk
Council’s plans for a seven year Council Tax harmonisation
period, whilst also taking into account its Implementation Plan
Five Key Principles.
Councillor Stephen Edwards also wished to express his thanks, at
this stage, to the Finance Team for the production of these
financial documents.
Therefore, it was:
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW
COUNCIL: (17 July 2018)
That:-
1. The West Suffolk
Strategic Framework (subject to rebranding; wording changes from
“councils” to “council” and other
consequential amendments, which will be completed by Officers) as
its Strategic Framework from 1 April 2019, be adopted.
2.
Both the West Suffolk Medium Term Financial
Strategy, contained at Appendix A and West Suffolk Capital Strategy
contained at Appendix B to Report No: EXC/SA/18/002 as its
strategic financial framework from 1 April 2019, be
adopted.
3. The key principles
and approach for the development of the 2019-2020 budget and medium
term financial plans for West Suffolk Council as set out in Section
3 of Report No: EXC/SA/18/002, be supported, including the
consideration of a further report (setting out the proposed
approach to achieve these principles) to the Joint Informal
Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee on 25 July
2018.
and
RESOLVED:
4. That both
Leaders write to the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on behalf of the West
Suffolk Shadow Executive, confirming the West Suffolk
Council’s plans, taking into account its implementation plan five key principles for a seven year council tax harmonisation period.
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9. |
West Suffolk - Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019/2020 PDF 133 KB
Report No: EXC/SA/18/003
Shadow Executive (Cabinet)
Members: Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder
Lead Officer: Rachael
Mann
Additional documents:
Decision:
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW COUNCIL (17 July 2018):
That the West Suffolk
Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for West
Suffolk be approved, to take effect from 1April 2019 as attached at
Appendix A and as detailed in Section 5 of Report No:
EXC/SA/18/003.
Minutes:
(Report
No: EXC/SA/18/003)
The
Shadow Executive (Cabinet) considered this report, which reviewed
the West Suffolk Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) and
proposals to take effect from 1 April 2019.
Since 1 April 2013, St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath Councils had
operated a Localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) to
replace the previous, centrally administered Council Tax
Benefit. These initial schemes required
working age claimaints to pay 8.5% more
of the council tax charge than previously. This requirement had been continued over the
subsequent five financial years to 2018-2019. The Councils had also protected War Pensioners
from the reduction in maximum benefit and removed the Second Adult
Rebate for working age claimaints.
Each year the Council was
required to review its LCTRS and this report advised the Shadow
Executive (Cabinet) about the conclusion of the 2018 annual review
and the resultant proposals for the LCTRS to take effect from 1
April 2019 under the new West Suffolk Council.
Therefore, it was:
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW
COUNCIL: (17 July 2018)
That
the West Suffolk Local Council Tax Reduction
Scheme for West Suffolk be approved, to take effect from 1April
2019 as attached at Appendix A and as detailed in Section 5 of
Report No: EXC/SA/18/003.
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10. |
West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes - Including Empty Property Reliefs and Premiums Changes PDF 124 KB
Report No: EXC/SA/18/004
Shadow Executive (Cabinet)
Members: Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder
Lead Officer: Rachael
Mann
Decision:
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW COUNCIL (17 July 2018)
That:-
1.
The West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes
– Second Homes set out in Section 1.4 of Report No:
EXC/SA/18/004, from 1 April 2019, be approved.
2.
The West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes
– Empty Property Reliefs as set out in Section 1.4 of Report
No: EXC/SA/18/004, from 1 April 2019, be approved.
3.
Subject to the coming into force of legislation
accordingly on 1 April 2019, an additional 50% Council Tax premium
on long term properties raising the current premium to 200% as set
out in Section 1.4 of Report No: EXC/SA/18/004, be
approved.
Minutes:
(Report
No: EXC/SA/18/004)
The
Council’s Monitoring Officer explained that this report would
be addressing the issue of empty property relief. Therefore consideration would need to be given to
the declaring of interests where Councillors were also
landlords. The Monitoring Officer
explained the principle that Councillors should not take part in a
decision at a council meeting assessing a matter related to the
general private sector housing market, where, at the time the
decision was made, they would financially gain or lose as a
landlord as a result of the decision.
Where Councillors considered that this applied to them, they should
declare a local non-pecuniary interest.
The
Monitoring Officer also explained that the Councils’
Standards Committee would be considering, at their meeting on 16
July 2018, the awarding of dispensations which would then allow a
Councillor to take part in discussion/voting where they had a
disclosable pecuniary interest in this
issue.
Councillor James Waters then declared a local non-pecuniary
interest as a landlord in the private sector
housing market and remained in the meeting, but did not participate
in the discussion or voting thereon.
The Shadow Executive (Cabinet)
considered this report which explained that since April 2013,
Councils have had the discretion to charge up to 100% for some
previously exempt properties; to charge up to 100% in respect of
furnished empty properties (holiday homes); to charge up to100% in
respect of second homes and to charge up to 50% empty homes premium
for properties that had been empty for over two years. In offering these new powers, the Government were
seeking to influence owners to bring empty homes back into use, as
well as the ability for councils to increase council tax
income.
As part of the 2017 Government
budget, it was announced that the Government would be implementing
new flexibilities in respect of charging an additional 50% Council
Tax on long term empty property premiums. It was anticipated that this would come into
effect on 1 April 2019 and these powers would provide local
authorities with the ability to implement a scheme that would
enable 200% Council Tax charge on properties that had been empty
for longer than two years (deemed as a long term empty
property).
Paragraph 1.4 of the report set
out the differences between the current schemes and the approach
proposed for the West Suffolk Council.
As the second homes element was already aligned, it had been
proposed that this continued into the West Suffolk
Council.
Therefore, it was
RECOMMENDED TO SHADOW
COUNCIL: (17 July 2018)
That:-
1.
The West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes
– Second Homes set out in Section 1.4 of Report No:
EXC/SA/18/004, from 1 April 2019, be approved.
2.
The West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes
– Empty Property Reliefs as set out in Section 1.4 of Report
No: EXC/SA/18/004, from 1 April 2019, be approved.
3.
Subject to the coming into force of legislation
accordingly on 1 April 2019, an additional 50% Council Tax premium
on long term properties ...
view the full minutes text for item 10.
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11. |
West Suffolk Discretionary Rate Relief Guidelines PDF 143 KB
Report No: EXC/SA/18/005
Shadow Executive Members:
Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder
Lead Officer: Rachael
Mann
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED:
That the West Suffolk Discretionary Rate
Relief Scheme, as set out at Appendix A to Report No:
EXC/SA/18/005, be approved, subject to the following additional
wording being inserted into paragraph 33:-
‘Government are intending to double Mandatory Rural Rate
Relief to 100%. Legislation will be
passed in due course. However, in the
meantime, Government have funded local authorities to award 50%
Discretionary Relief where an organisation qualifies for 50%
Mandatory Relief. Therefore, properties
that qualify for Mandatory Relief will also be awarded 50%
Discretionary relief.’
Minutes:
(Report No:
EXC/SA/18/005)
The Shadow Executive (Cabinet) considered this
report which requested the approval of a West Suffolk Discretionary
Rate Relief Scheme from 1 April 2019.
Business Rates legislation
stipulated that some organisations qualified for ‘Mandatory
Rate Relief’. Examples of which
include charities, organisations that meet the condition of
Charitable Purpose and registered community amateur sports
clubs. A further category of Mandatory
Rural Rate Relief was also available to sole Post Offices, general
stores in certain rural populations.
Local authorities had the ability to grant Discretionary Rate
Relief, either to ‘top up’ the Mandatory Rate Relief or
to give Discretionary Rate Relief.
The guidelines for determining
Relief were not intended to be a rigid set of rules. Neither were all the guidelines applicable to
every organisation. Each case was
judged on its merits, taking into account the contribution which
each organisation/business made to the West Suffolk strategic
priorities.
The proposed draft guidance, as
set out in Appendix A, would become the West Suffolk Council
Discretionary Rate Relief Guidance from 1 April 2019. It brought together the previous Forest Heath and
St Edmundsbury schemes, with some changes to align areas where
there were currently differences (as set out in Section 2 of the
report).
The Shadow Executive were also
informed of further additional wording, for inclusion within
paragraph 33. of the proposed West Suffolk Discretionary Rate
Relief Scheme, to take account of the Government’s intention
to double the Mandatory Rural Rate Relief. This proposed additional wording was circulated to
the meeting for consideration by the Shadow Executive
Therefore, it was
RESOLVED:
That the West Suffolk
Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme, as set out at Appendix A to
Report No: EXC/SA/18/005, be approved, subject to the following
additional wording being inserted into paragraph 33.:-
‘Government are intending to double Mandatory Rural Rate
Relief to 100%. Legislation will be
passed in due course. However, in the
meantime, Government have funded local authorities to award 50%
Discretionary Relief where an organisation qualifies for 50%
Mandatory Relief. Therefore, properties
that qualify for Mandatory Relief will also be awarded 50%
Discretionary relief.’
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12. |
Shadow Executive (Cabinet) Decisions Plan: 1 July 2018 to 6 May 2019 PDF 127 KB
To consider the most recently published
version of the Shadow Executive (Cabinet) Decisions Plan.
Report No: EXC/SA/18/006
Shadow Executive (Cabinet)
Member: John Griffiths
Lead Officer: Ian
Gallin
Minutes:
(Report No:
EXC/SA/18/006)
The
Shadow Executive (Cabinet) considered this report which was the
Shadow Executive (Cabinet) Decisions Plan covering the period 1
July 2018 to 6 May 2019.
Members took the opportunity to review the intended forthcoming
decisions of the Shadow Executive (Cabinet). However, no further information or amendments were
requested on this occasion.
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