Agenda item

Council Taxbases for 2017/18

Decision:

(a) That the level of council tax discount in respect of second homes remain at 0%.

(b) That the level of discount in respect of long-term empty properties remains at 0%. With the charge of a 50% Empty Home Premium for on properties that have been empty longer than 2 years.

(d) In accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 2012 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 the amount calculated by Slough Borough Council as its council taxbase for 2017/18 shall be:

i) Parish of Britwell 840.7

ii) Parish of Colnbrook with Poyle 1,866.4

iii) Parish of Wexham 1,329.6

iv) Slough Town 37,138.0

v) All areas 41,174.7

(e) That the S151 officer be delegated with responsibility to adjust the taxbase following Cabinet due to any changes in Government guidance around this subject and the Collection Fund figures for distribution.

(f) That the S151 officer be delegated with responsibility to adjust the taxbase following Cabinet should any new property information become available and the Collection Fund figures for distribution require amendment.

(g) That the S151 officer be delegated with responsibility to set the Business Rates baseline following consultation with the Commissioner responsible.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council and the Assistant Director Finance & Audit introduced a report setting out the Council taxbase for 2017-18 which needed to be set by 31^st January. The taxbase had increased by 2.9% from 2016-17 with a net increase of 1,172.9 properties, and the Cabinet noted the taxbase calculations for the parishes and non-parish areas as set out in the report.

The Council was currently forecasting a Collection Fund deficit of £0.3m, which would be finalised for the budget setting period. In relation to Business Rates, the Council was yet to receive the NNDR1 form from the Department for Communities and Local Government and it was therefore proposed and agreed that the Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to complete and return this form, following consultation with the Commissioner for Finance & Strategy. The Cabinet also considered and agreed that the level of Council Tax discount for second homes and long-term empty properties remained at 0%.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Wright raised the issue of potential Council Tax increases and the value for money being provided to local taxpayers. The Leader responded that the level of Council Tax would be set by the Council in February 2017 and that he welcomed comments from all Members as part of the budget setting process.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the recommendations as proposed.

Resolved –