MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2012
|
Present: |
Councillor Garland (Chairman), and Councillors Greer, Hotson, Paine and J.A. Wilson |
94. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs Ring.
95. Urgent Items
There were no urgent items.
96. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
97. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
98. Disclosures of lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
99. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.
100. Minutes
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 12 September and 2 October 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.
101. Local Council Tax Discount Scheme
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Communities regarding the approval of a local council tax discount scheme following the withdrawal of the current national council tax benefit scheme from April 2013.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:
1. That a local council tax discount scheme be adopted which introduces the following changes:-
· An 8.5% reduction in the rate of council tax benefit applicable to all working age households during 2013-14, whilst otherwise maintaining the structure of the current national scheme.
· A 13% reduction in the rate of council tax benefit applicable to all working age households during 2014-15 & 2015-16, subject to the future demand and grant received for the scheme.
· Removal of the 10% council tax discount awarded to owners of second homes from 1st April 2013.
· A reduction in the period of exemption for vacant properties (class C) from 6 months to 1 month from 1st April 2013.
2. That the Director of Regeneration and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, be given delegated authority to make such changes as are necessary to maintain the operational effectiveness and viability of the scheme between 2013/14 and 2015/16.
3. That a substantive review of the scheme is undertaken in 2015/16, with any recommended changes to the scheme presented to Cabinet for implementation from 2016-17.
102. Core Strategy Programme
DECISION MADE:
1. That the Core Strategy programme be rescheduled to take account of the need to review the evidence base for the Core Strategy including the housing and employment targets and the Council’s 5-year housing land supply.
2. That Officers be authorised to start work on a new Strategic Housing Market Assessment, a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and a Strategic Economic Development Land Availability Assessment.
To view full details of this decision, please click here:- http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=17813&PlanId=199
103. Second Quarter Revenue & Capital Monitoring
DECISION MADE:
1. That the satisfactory revenue position at the end of the second quarter 2012/13 be noted.
2.
That the proposals for slippage and re-profiling in the capital
programme to 2013/14 be agreed.
3. That the detail on the collection fund, general fund balances and treasury management activity be noted.
4. That the respective Cabinet Members receive individual reports regarding the variances highlighted in the report of the Head of Finance & Customer Services as at the end of Quarter 3.
To view full details of this decision, please click here:-
http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=14709&PlanId=199
104. Mid Year Strategic Plan Performance Report
The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Change and Scrutiny regarding progress made in the year to date against the Strategic Plan 2011-15 actions and progress made in the second quarter of 2012/13 for the authority’s key performance indicators.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
105. Duration of Meeting
6.00 p.m. to 7.20 p.m.