Issue - meetings

The Head of Finance introduced the report and outlined the contributing factors to the calculation of the Council Tax base for the 2022-23 financial year, which totalled 65, 896.22. The proposals had been informed by recent data collections alongside in-year monitoring.

The Council Tax Base figure represented a strong growth of 3.69%, which was partly due to the borough’s strong housing growth between October 2020-21 alongside the prudent estimates made during the consideration of the 2021-22 council tax base arising from the financial uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The risks associated with both a too high and too low council tax base were outlined, and the appendices to the reports were highlighted. The Council Tax surplus for 2022-23 was £2.1 million, of which £318,000 represented the Council’s share.

The Head of Finance confirmed that the 2022-23 estimated collection allowance for non-collection had been reduced to reflect the Council’s financial recovery from Covid-19.

RESOLVED: That

1.  In accordance with the Local Authority (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the Authority as its Council Tax Base for the year 2022-23 will be 65, 896.22;

2.  In accordance with the Local Authority (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the Authority as the Council Tax Base for each parish area for the year 2022-23 will be as identified in Appendix 2 to the report; and

3.  The 2021-22 Council Tax projections and proposed distribution detailed in Appendix 3 to the report be agreed.

Note: Councillor English left the meeting between 8.45 p.m. to 8.47 p.m.