Agenda item

Report No: COU/SA/18/007

Councillors Patrick Chung, John Griffiths, Beccy Hopfensperger, Victor Lukaniuk, Carol Lynch, Margaret Marks, Robin Pilley and Clive Pollington  declared non-pecuniary interests in referral item 3 (West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes), as they were private sector landlords, they indicated that they would remain in the meeting during the item but would abstain from voting.

Councillor Paul Hopfensperger declared a pecuniary interest in referral items 2 and 3 (Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes) he indicated that he would withdraw from the meeting during consideration of these items.

The Shadow Council considered the Referrals Report of Recommendations from the Shadow Executive (Cabinet) contained within Report No: COU/SA/18/007.

Referrals from Shadow Executive (Cabinet): 10 July 2018

1.     West Suffolk Council – Setting the Strategic Context for the Development of the 2019/2020 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans

This report set out the strategic context (proposed principles, approach and timescales) for the development of the 2019/2020 budget and Medium Term Financial Plans for the new West Suffolk Council from 1 April 2019.

Councillors Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder, FHDC and SEBC Portfolio Holders for Resources and Performance respectively, drew relevant aspects of the report to the attention of the Shadow Council. 

The Portfolio Holders encouraged all Members to attend the programme of briefings being delivered by Finance Officers on the budget work.

On the motion of Councillor Stephen Edwards, seconded by Councillor Ian Houlder, and with the vote being unanimous it was

RESOLVED:

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, Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 25 July 2018.

2.     West Suffolk – Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019/2020

This report set out the proposed West Suffolk Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) to take effect from 1 April 2019.

Councillors Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder, FHDC and SEBC Portfolio Holders for Resources and Performance respectively, drew relevant aspects of the report to the attention of the Shadow Council. 

On the motion of Councillor Ian Houlder, seconded by Councillor Stephen Edwards, and with the vote being unanimous it was

RESOLVED:

That the West Suffolk Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for West Suffolk be approved, to take effect from 1 April 2019 as attached at Appendix A and as detailed in Section 5 of Report No: EXC/SA/18/003.

3.     West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes – Including Empty Property Reliefs and Premiums Changes

This report set out the proposed West Suffolk Council Tax Technical Changes (including Empty Property Reliefs and Premiums) from 1 April 2019.

Councillors Stephen Edwards and Ian Houlder, FHDC and SEBC Portfolio Holders for Resources and Performance respectively, drew relevant aspects of the report to the attention of the Shadow Council. 

Councillors Carol Lynch, Margaret Marks and Robin Pilley all made comments on the report and posed questions on the item which were responded to by the Portfolio Holders.

A typographical error was noted in respect of Recommendation 3, in that the word ‘empty’ needed to be added as follows “…long term empty properties…”.

On the motion of Councillor Stephen Edwards, seconded by Councillor Ian Houlder, and with 48 voting for the motion and with 8 abstentions, it was

RESOLVED:

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 1st 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 1st 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 empty properties raising the current premium to 200% as set out in Section 1.4 of Report No: EXC/SA/18/004, be approved.