Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the Tunbridge Wells Tax Base for 2023/24, as set out at in Appendix B to the report be approved.

2. That delegated authority be given to the s151 officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to give notice of any further council tax premiums that are provided for within the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill, should it be given Royal Assent be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION:  To comply with the provisions of Statutory Instruments 2012 No 2914 – The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations

Councillor Christopher Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking who presented the report as set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       Tunbridge Wells had a disproportionate number of lower band properties compared to other Councils which was why our tax base was lower than neighbouring boroughs.

-       The majority of the Council’s properties were in band C, rather than band D (the mid-point). 

-       It remained disappointing that the bands still only went as far as H (equivalent to 2 x band D).  Central Government were yet to follow the example of Wales and extend the bands to I, J or K. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the Tunbridge Wells Tax Base for 2023/24, as set out at in Appendix B to the report be approved.

2. That delegated authority be given to the s151 officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to give notice of any further council tax premiums that are provided for within the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill, should it be given Royal Assent be approved. 

REASON FOR DECISION:  To comply with the provisions of Statutory Instruments 2012 No 2914 – The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations

Verbal Update.

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking provided a verbal update which included the following:

-       Statute dictated that the calculation of the Council Tax Base must be calculated on 1 December.   

-       The calculation was prescriptive, the details of which were laid out in the Statutory Instrument with no scope to vary. 

-       The report would be published on 1 December and presented to Cabinet on 8 December 2022. 

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.