Agenda and minutes

Decisions from the meeting held on 7th January 2013.

The decisions from the meeting held on 7th January were agreed as a correct record of the decisions taken.

None disclosed.

Report HOF217 from the Head of Finance.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

Cabinet approves the following:

1.               That the adjusted council tax base for 2013/14 be set at 43,786.7 for Band D equivalent properties.

2.               That the provision for uncollectable amounts of Council Tax for 2013/14 be set at 2.2% producing an expected collection rate of 97.8%.

3.               That the adjusted Council tax base for each parish is as shown below.

4.               That the proposed distribution of the Local Council Tax Support grant for 2013/14 be established so that it ensures no parish or town council is better or worse off than the 2012/13 position as set out in Appendix A to report HOF217.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)              Report HOF217 from the Head of Finance.

2)              The Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by s84 of the Local Government Act 2003 allows each local authority to make its own arrangements for adopting the Council Tax base.  The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 provides amended statutory guidance to incorporate the changes as a result of the introduction of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme. 

3)              The setting of a realistic and prudent collection rate for Council Tax is an essential component of the overall budget strategy.

4)              Changes to the Tax Base as a result of The Local Council Tax Support Scheme for South Kesteven as approved by Council in December 2012. 

5)              The calculation of the tax base for parish purposes is based on the number of properties at 10th September 2012 and the discounts applicable on 1st October 2012 as prescribed by legislation.     

6)              Comments made by the Head of Finance at the meeting.

7)              Comments made by Members at the meeting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report HOF218 from the Head of Finance.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

That Cabinet approves the NDR1 return for 2013/14.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)              Report HOF218 from the Head of Finance.

2)              The NDR1 return is submitted to the DCLG every year as part of its cyclical financial year by the s151 officer.

3)              Due to significant changes to the funding model for local authorities, specifically in relation to the localisation of business rates, the NDR1 return to be formally approved prior to being certified by the s151 officer.

4)              Information is provided by the Valuation Office Agency and the NDR billing and collection system.

5)              Comments made by the Head of Finance at the meeting.

6)              Comments made by Members at the meeting about the public’s perception concerning NDR.

Other options considered:

It is a statutory requirement that the Council submit the NDR1 that sets out the Council’s calculation of the non-domestic rating contribution for the year.

Report HOF216 from the Head of Finance.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

General Fund

1.1     To note the provisional settlement for 2013/14.

1.2     To agree a provisional target General Fund Budget Requirement of £13.982m for 2013/14 (inclusive of Special Expenses) for consultation purposes. 

1.3     To agree to consult on the proposals for Council Tax for 2013/14 and recommend a Council tax level at its February 2013 meeting.

Housing Revenue Account

1.4     To approve, in line with current policy of achieving rent convergence, an indicative rent increase for consultation purposes with the Tenant consultation forums on options for rent increases.  This is an average increase for SKDC tenants of 4.57%.

1.5     To agree to review the proposed rent increase at recommendation 1.4 above, at the February Cabinet Meeting, in light of consultation, and other related information.

Capital Programme

1.6     To agree to receive detailed reports setting out recommendations for the Capital Programme for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, at the February Cabinet meeting.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)              Report HOF216 from the Head of Finance.

2)              The provisional local government finance settlement for 2013/14 had been confirmed at £8.024m.

3)              2013/14 was the first year of the significant shift in how local government was financed following the introduction of the business rate retention scheme.

4)              This was the last year that specific grants would be separately awarded by the DCLG.  An overall grant would be given in the future.

5)              In comparative terms the decrease between 2012/13 and 2013/14 was £367K or 5%.

6)              The Council’s current policy to keep in line with the Government’s guidance on rent restructuring.

7)              Comments made by the Head of Finance at the meeting.

8)              Comments made by the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Resources in relation to the proposed council rent increase.

Decisions CO38, CO39 and CO40 as made on 21st January 2013 can be implemented by Wednesday 30th January 2013, unless subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee Chairman or any five members of the Council from any political groups.