Meeting documents

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 February 2017 recommend revenue estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2017/18.

 

Full Council is required to consider the Revenue Estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2017/18 and then to set out the full Council tax.

 

Details relating to the precept for Bucks County Council, the Thames Valley Police Authority and Bucks and Milton Keynes Fire Authority are awaited. The full report containing these details together with the full Council tax details across the district is therefore to follow.

 

Members are reminded that they must have regard to the Chief Financial Officer`s report when setting the Council tax.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 16.5 a recorded vote shall take place on decisions relating to the setting of the budget and Council tax.

 

The meeting then specifically turned to the recommendation outlined in minute number 69 of the Cabinet Minutes of 6 February 2017 (Revenue Budget & Council Tax Setting 2017/18) along with the supplement issued to the item in advance of the meeting. 

 

The Leader of the Council in introducing the Cabinet Member for Finance to make his Budget presentation, referred to the reduction in government grants and that by 2018/19 the Council would no longer receive any revenue support grant from Central Government.  The Government were working on an amended scheme for business rates to help local councils however the details on how the new scheme would work were still unclear.  The Leader commented that under the current system, after tariffs had been applied by the Government, that the Council only retained around 5% of the total received, not 40%.

 

The Leader noted that Wycombe was one of the very small percentage of Councils that were freezing their Council Tax. She explained that the Council continued to provide excellent services and managed assets efficiently to provide income to replace the loss the Government grants.  Projects included improvements at Handy Cross, the building of the Royal Star and Garter, the Extra Care Home at Hughenden Quarter, the £9.5m regeneration scheme for Desborough and Baker Street, and the new retail companies that had opened in the town centre. 

 

She expressed her thanks to the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Executive along with the Senior Management team and the many other officers involved in the budget preparation. The Leader also thanked the Council’s Improvement and Review Commission’s Budget Task and Finish Group for their thorough examination of the budget.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance rose to give his budget speech beginning with some background to this year’s budget.  He noted that the impact of any decision regarding Modernising Local Government was not yet known and was not therefore factored into this year’s budget.

 

He said that the Council had achieved one of the lowest council tax levels in England by delivering considerable efficiencies and growing the Council’s commercial income in order to offset a 51% cumulative decline in the revenue support grant and business rate income. 

 

He noted increased revenue from projects such as the development at Handy Cross and the rationalisation of office accommodation had been a key driver in helping the Council to balance its budget for next year. Also the development of the Hughenden Quarter spine road which had unlocked three development sites which have been sold to bring homes, jobs and increased choice.  He added that the Council had invested in the regeneration empty retail units in Wycombe, helping to regenerate key shopping areas and bring more choice to shoppers visiting our town.  He said that the investments had substantially increased income for the Council and without the Council going into debt.

 

The Cabinet Member noted that work with various voluntary bodies and associations had continued with the completion of the improvement works and recent transfer of the Museum to the Wycombe Heritage Arts Trust.

 

He reported that the Council planned to continue to deliver sustainable efficiencies where it could and further increase the estate and other income streams.  It was noted that Council approved the Efficiency Plan back in July 2016 and this was duly submitted to the government who approved the plan and had, as promised, confirmed the level of funding in the original 4 year financial settlement which was published back in February 2016.  The government had also confirmed significant changes to the New Homes Bonus which had seen this authority lose over £1.3m from 2016/17 with further reductions beyond next year. He said that the Council had been prudent in how funding had been managed and the financial plans had anticipated this reduction. 

 

He went on to say that there was continuing uncertainty regarding business rates, including the transfer of business rates income.  However, he confirmed that the Council had set aside funds to cover future losses.

 

He also said that financial provision had been made to repay the share of the pension deficit and allowance had been made in the budget for an expected increase in pension costs.  The budget had also been updated to take account of the cost of inflationary pressures existing costs, rising homelessness and the new Apprenticeship Levy.  The impact of these cost pressures had been offset by making some further savings on waste and other contracts and from growing income.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that in preparation for the year ahead the Council had a rolling medium term financial strategy and had budgeted in detail for the coming financial year.  He noted that the latest projections, assuming no increase to council tax over the next six years, indicated a growing shortfall between expected revenues and costs of up to £2.0M.  Last year with the increase in the council tax share by £5.00 on a Band D property, together with additional revenue grown over the past 12 months, meant that a balanced budget could be achieved without the need to increase council tax in the coming year. 

 

He noted that local government faced some very challenging financial issues and would continue to work hard to do keep council tax levels as affordable as possible. 

 

He then made mention of further improvements to facilities and services, these included investing significant resources into the Local Plans for the District and Princes Risborough, further phases at Handy Cross, investing in leisure facilities in Marlow and Princes Risborough, investing in Saunderton Lodge, increasing the revenue budget by over £250k to ensure that the Council was able to meet the needs of the homeless, working with a local Registered Social Landlord in order to acquire more high quality temporary accommodation and continuing with the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan.

 

The Cabinet Member concluded by saying that the balanced budget had been achieved as a consequence of the Council being able to increase the income generated to offset the increased cost pressures and the reduction in government funding and therefore no increase in council tax was required. Local residents would therefore continue to benefit from one of the lowest levels of district council tax in the country.

 

He then commended the Budget to Council and asked for the recommendations to be approved.

 

The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Raja, rose to respond to the Budget speech. He stated that for any local government organisation, the financial plan should support the plan for delivering services to residents and the community. The budget should serve the district council and not vice-versa.

 

He noted that the officers who had been instrumental in producing the budget should be congratulated for having produced a balanced budget within the parameters given to them. He said that naturally, the political direction must come from the party in charge and lest the Council forget "the budget is based on information and assurances from members and the senior management team".  He noted that moreover, an explanatory note attached to the draft budget to the Cabinet, said clearly that "the council faces a significant challenge in continuing to deliver a balanced budget and would either need to implement significant income growth policies or service reduction" he commented that ‘you have it in a nutshell!’

 

The Leader of the Labour Group then stated that the creation of the new unitary system of local government would no doubt ensure that some of the estimates would be wildly out of synch and the budget was just a ‘firefighting’ exercise.

 

He noted that there was a balanced budget and ‘earmarked reserves’ of over £36M but questioned the overall reference to the ‘big picture’.  He stated that societies were judged not just on what the majority of the people attained but what the minorities had to endure.

 

He stated that we all certainly lived in an affluent part of the country and repeatedly told that we are doing very well.

 

The Leader of the Labour Party raised some concerns with regards to deprivation in Wycombe, the educational attainment gap between the different socio economic groups, reduced funding for upper schools, affordable housing for people on lower incomes or the young, roads and footpaths, the cost of ANPR in lost revenue, parking enforcement, the lack of A&E provision in Wycombe, homelessness in the town and music being played in town centre car parks, empty shops, and the lack of public consultation regarding the unitary authority debate.

 

The Leader of the Labour Party concluded that the council had no plan for sustainable delivery of key service and the financial plan was effectively meaningless and just a set of numbers.

The Leader of the East Wycombe Independent Group, Cllr M Knight, also rose to present his Group’s comments on the budget proposals.  He commended the work of the Head of Financial Services and officers for their work all year round and not just at the time of budget setting.

 

He acknowledged the challenging times facing the Council in light of the Government’s austerity measures. He said that in many areas the NHS was in crisis, adult social care was dangerously underfunded and the long term disabled continue to face aggressive and unfair cuts to their benefits and other support.

 

He noted that although the Council did not deliver all of those services the Council did deliver services which were heavily impacted by their decline, which showed a growing need whilst budgets decrease. He also stated that since the coalition government came into power local authority budgets had fallen by 51%. Much of the pressure caused by the austerity agenda was picked up by local charities and voluntary organisations, only some of which were supported with an Annual Revenue Grant from the Council, although he stated that this was a commendable use of the Council’s resources.

 

He said that due to the reasons above then a council tax freeze caused concern as that in effect a freeze was actually a cut due to a gradual rise in inflation. He explained that a freeze this year would compound inflationary increases in future years which would either necessitate a big increase in council tax in the future, or cuts to services.

 

He stated that his group were concerned that as greater efficiency savings were sought out then some of the non-statutory support mechanisms would come under threat. For example council tax reduction for the disabled had been retained but there was concern for how long this would remain.

 

He stated that it was ironic that in Buckinghamshire there were Conservative run councils suffering at the hands of Conservative driven austerity.

 

He explained that his Group would like to see Wycombe District Council putting greater pressure on central government to release more money for public services.  Also they would like politicians of all parties to give a clear message to central government that austerity was not working and that it was unfairly targeting the most hard pressed in our communities.

 

He noted that housing and homelessness was highlighted as one of the main budget pressures of the coming year and that this was not surprising as household budgets were stretched to breaking point. He noted the £250,000 additional spending proposed and was concerned that this would not offer adequate funding for additional costs of bed and breakfast accommodation, and the lack of detail regarding "longer-term" action mentioned in the report.

 

He was concerned at the lack of progress regarding creative solutions for housing and that over the year there had been no major change and homelessness continued to spiral out of control.  He was also concerned that the new Universal Credit system could impact homelessness if people that had transferred over fell into arrears. He suggested the introduction of additional discretionary support to smooth the transition of people onto Universal Credit.

 

He supported the plan to commit £1.2 million from reserves to top up pension funds, but questioned the same level of commitment to invest more temporary housing provision and more affordable rented properties. He requested more urgency in addressing housing issues and to seriously consider the use of assets to do this.

 

He stated that Wycombe district was perhaps unique across the whole country when taken into consideration the high cost of housing, the constraints of the AONB, greenbelt and the high demand for housing due to location. He said that this presented an opportunity to become a nationally recognised innovator in using public assets to deliver housing solutions. He stated that the Council could become a showcase for creative housing provision that met the diverse needs of housing in the district. As there were £2 million in unallocated reserves which along with internal borrowing, investing our own resources in real bricks and mortar housing, that there would be the opportunity for some really exciting work around housing.

 

The Leader of the East Wycombe Independent Group concluded that these were difficult times and those with the least in communities were the ones who felt this the hardest.  He said that an ambitious vision was required to deliver real solutions to the big issues that face communities and a council tax freeze appeared to represent a lack of ambition, an acceptance of the status quo, a sticking plaster approach to the big issues like housing and a reluctance to meet responsibilities to the most hard pressed members of the community.  He noted the £600,000 underspend, but was concerned that some in the district would suffer. He was also concerned that the freeze in council tax would not provide support to the homeless, vulnerable and those with limited personal resources.

 

Other Members also made a number of remarks in respect of the Budget proposals.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance made some closing remarks and asked Members to support his proposed recommendations.  His proposals were seconded by Councillor Miss K Wood, Leader of the Council.

 

The Budget was then put to the recorded vote.

 

In accordance with subsection (5) of the Council’s Standing Order 16 (Voting) the voting of the Members in respect of these Council Tax setting decision was recorded as follows:

 

In favour of the recommendations:-

 

Councillors Shade Adoh, M Appleyard, D Barnes, Miss S Brown, H Bull, D Carroll, Mrs L Clarke, M Clarke, A Collingwood, C Etholen, R Farmer, R Gaffney, A Green, G Hall, M Harris, C Harriss, A Hill, Maz Hussain, D Johncock, Mrs G A Jones, D Knights, Mrs J Langley, T Lee, Mrs W Mallen, N Marshall, H McCarthy, R Newman, Mrs C Oliver, B Pearce, G Peart, S Raja, S Saddique, J Savage, R Scott, D Shakespeare, Mrs J Teesdale, N  Teesdale, A Turner, P Turner, D Watson, C Whitehead, R Wilson, Miss K Wood and L Wood.

 

Abstentions:-

 

Councillors K Ahmed, M Asif, Ms A Baughan, S Graham, M Hanif, M Hussain JP, M Knight, R Raja and Ms J Wassell.

 

In Favour:- 44

Against:- 0

Abstention:- 09

 

(Councillors Mrs Adey & A Hussain had left the meeting when the above vote was taken.)

 

RESOLVED:  That (i) the recommendations contained in Minute 69 of the Cabinet Meeting held on 6 February 2017 be approved and adopted; and

 

(ii) it be noted that the following amounts have been calculated for the year 2017/18 in accordance with regulations made in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

 

(A) 67139.17; being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 ("the Regulations") as its Council Tax Base for the year.  In total for the District a £1 tax on a band "D" equivalent property will raise £67,139.17.

 

(B)

Parish / Town Area	Council Tax Base
Bledlow-cum-Saunderton	1201.62
Bradenham	231.56
Chepping Wycombe	6348.32
Downley	1971.34
Ellesborough	440.98
Fawley (Parish Meeting)	141.8
Great & Little Hampden	164.28
Great & Little Kimble cum Marsh	489.34
Great Marlow	719.64
Hambleden	835.68
Hazlemere	3980.69
Hedsor (Parish Meeting)	79.62
High Wycombe Town	21970.52
Hughenden	3993.46
Ibstone	145.96
Lacey Green	1249.37
Lane End	1405.86
Little Marlow	792.56
Longwick-cum-Ilmer	682.86
Marlow Bottom	1522.44
Marlow Town	6664.86
Medmenham	517.52
Piddington & Wheeler End	259.68
Princes Risborough	3496.37
Radnage	381.66
Stokenchurch	1941.12
Turville	214.38
WestW'- Parish Council	541.13
Wooburn and Bourne End	4754.55
Grand Total	67139.17

 

being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with the Regulations, as the amounts of its Council Tax Base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more of the special items relate;

 

(ii)        That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2017/2018 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ("the Act").

 

(a) £91,292,928 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31(A)(2) of the Act; taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils as at the date of the meeting.

 

(b) £79,442,271 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31(A)(3) of the Act;

 

(c) £11,850,657 being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31(A)(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

 

(d) £176.51 being the amount at (c) above divided by the amount at (a) calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31(B)(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year;

 

(e) £2,989,027 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act;

 

(f) £131.99 being the amount at (d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (e) above by the amount at (a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates:

 

(G)

Part of Council's Area	2017-18
Bledlow-cum-Saunderton	147.09
Bradenham	162.82
Chepping Wycombe	186.32
Downley	181.03
Ellesborough	176.48
Great & Little Hampden	150.28
Great & Little Kimble cum Marsh	222.80
Great Marlow	149.00
Hambleden	170.28
Hazlemere	200.47
High Wycombe Town	151.88
Hughenden	183.94
Ibstone	179.95
Lacey Green	152.61
Lane End	217.74
Little Marlow	192.62
Longwick-cum-Ilmer	172.22
Marlow Bottom	156.95
Marlow Town	183.22
Medmenham	171.95
Piddington & Wheeler End	209.97
Princes Risborough	230.86
Radnage	201.32
Stokenchurch	169.09
Turville	162.31
West Wycombe	215.34
Wooburn and Bourne End	205.40

being the amounts given by adding to the amount at (f) above the amounts of each of the special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the appropriate amount at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more of the special items relate.

(H)
Part of the Council's Area	Band A Charge	Band B Charge	Band C Charge	Band D Charge	Band E Charge	Band F Charge	Band G Charge	Band H Charge
Bledlow-cum-Saunderton	98.06	114.41	130.74	147.09	179.78	212.46	245.15	294.18
Bradenham	108.54	126.64	144.72	162.82	199.00	235.18	271.36	325.64
Chepping Wycombe	124.21	144.92	165.61	186.32	227.72	269.13	310.53	372.64
Downley	120.68	140.80	160.91	181.03	221.26	261.49	301.71	362.06
Ellesborough	117.65	137.26	156.87	176.48	215.70	254.91	294.13	352.96
Fawley (Parish Meeting)	87.99	102.66	117.32	131.99	161.32	190.65	219.98	263.98
Great & Little Hampden	100.18	116.89	133.58	150.28	183.67	217.07	250.46	300.56
Great & Little Kimble cum Marsh	148.53	173.29	198.04	222.80	272.31	321.82	371.33	445.60
Great Marlow	99.33	115.89	132.44	149.00	182.11	215.22	248.33	298.00
Hambleden	113.52	132.44	151.36	170.28	208.12	245.96	283.80	340.56
Hazlemere	133.64	155.92	178.19	200.47	245.02	289.57	334.11	400.94
Hedsor (Parish Meeting)	87.99	102.66	117.32	131.99	161.32	190.65	219.98	263.98
High Wycombe Town	101.24	118.13	135.00	151.88	185.62	219.38	253.12	303.76
Hughenden	122.62	143.06	163.50	183.94	224.81	265.69	306.56	367.88
Ibstone	119.96	139.96	159.95	179.95	219.94	259.93	299.91	359.90
Lacey Green	101.73	118.69	135.65	152.61	186.52	220.43	254.35	305.22
Lane End	145.16	169.35	193.54	217.74	266.13	314.51	362.90	435.48
Little Marlow	128.40	149.82	171.20	192.62	235.41	278.22	321.02	385.24
Longwick-cum-Ilmer	114.81	133.95	153.08	172.22	210.49	248.76	287.03	344.44
Marlow Bottom	104.63	122.07	139.51	156.95	191.83	226.70	261.58	313.90
Marlow Town	122.15	142.51	162.86	183.22	223.94	264.65	305.37	366.44
Medmenham	114.63	133.74	152.84	171.95	210.16	248.37	286.58	343.90
Piddington & Wheeler End	139.98	163.31	186.63	209.97	256.63	303.28	349.95	419.94
Princes Risborough	153.90	179.56	205.20	230.86	282.16	333.46	384.76	461.72
Radnage	134.21	156.58	178.95	201.32	246.06	290.79	335.53	402.64
Stokenchurch	112.72	131.52	150.30	169.09	206.66	244.24	281.81	338.18
Turville	108.20	126.23	144.26	162.31	198.38	234.44	270.51	324.62
West Wycombe	143.55	167.49	191.41	215.34	263.19	311.05	358.90	430.68
Wooburn and Bourne End	136.93	159.76	182.57	205.40	251.04	296.69	342.33	410.80

 

being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at (f) and (g) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

 

(iii) That it be noted for the year 2017/2018 the Buckinghamshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner Thames Valley and the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority have stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwellings shown below.

 

	Valuation Bands
Precepting Authority	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Buckinghamshire County Council	812.05	947.40	1082.74	1218.08	1488.76	1759.45	2030.13	2436.16
Police and Crime Commissioner Thames Valley	113.52	132.44	151.36	170.28	208.12	245.96	283.80	340.56
Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority	40.59	47.35	54.12	60.88	74.41	87.94	101.47	121.76

 

(iv) That having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at ((h) and (3) above, the Council in accordance with Section 30 of the Act, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2017/2018 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below.

Part of the Council's Area	Band A Charge	Band B Charge	Band C Charge	Band D Charge	Band E Charge	Band F Charge	Band G Charge	Band H Charge
Bledlow-cum-Saunderton	1,064.22	1,241.60	1,418.96	1,596.33	1,951.07	2,305.81	2,660.55	3,192.66
Bradenham	1,074.70	1,253.83	1,432.94	1,612.06	1,970.29	2,328.53	2,686.76	3,224.12
Chepping Wycombe	1,090.37	1,272.11	1,453.83	1,635.56	1,999.01	2,362.48	2,725.93	3,271.12
Downley	1,086.84	1,267.99	1,449.13	1,630.27	1,992.55	2,354.84	2,717.11	3,260.54
Ellesborough	1,083.81	1,264.45	1,445.09	1,625.72	1,986.99	2,348.26	2,709.53	3,251.44
Fawley	1,054.15	1,229.85	1,405.54	1,581.23	1,932.61	2,284.00	2,635.38	3,162.46
Great & Little Hampden	1,066.34	1,244.08	1,421.80	1,599.52	1,954.96	2,310.42	2,665.86	3,199.04
Great & Little Kimble cum Marsh	1,114.69	1,300.48	1,486.26	1,672.04	2,043.60	2,415.17	2,786.73	3,344.08
Great Marlow	1,065.49	1,243.08	1,420.66	1,598.24	1,953.40	2,308.57	2,663.73	3,196.48
Hambleden	1,079.68	1,259.63	1,439.58	1,619.52	1,979.41	2,339.31	2,699.20	3,239.04
Hazlemere	1,099.80	1,283.11	1,466.41	1,649.71	2,016.31	2,382.92	2,749.51	3,299.42
Hedsor	1,054.15	1,229.85	1,405.54	1,581.23	1,932.61	2,284.00	2,635.38	3,162.46
High Wycombe Town	1,067.40	1,245.32	1,423.22	1,601.12	1,956.91	2,312.73	2,668.52	3,202.24
Hughenden	1,088.78	1,270.25	1,451.72	1,633.18	1,996.10	2,359.04	2,721.96	3,266.36
Ibstone	1,086.12	1,267.15	1,448.17	1,629.19	1,991.23	2,353.28	2,715.31	3,258.38
Lacey Green	1,067.89	1,245.88	1,423.87	1,601.85	1,957.81	2,313.78	2,669.75	3,203.70
Lane End	1,111.32	1,296.54	1,481.76	1,666.98	2,037.42	2,407.86	2,778.30	3,333.96
Little Marlow	1,094.56	1,277.01	1,459.42	1,641.86	2,006.70	2,371.57	2,736.42	3,283.72
Longwick-cum-Ilmer	1,080.97	1,261.14	1,441.30	1,621.46	1,981.78	2,342.11	2,702.43	3,242.92
Marlow Bottom	1,070.79	1,249.26	1,427.73	1,606.19	1,963.12	2,320.05	2,676.98	3,212.38
Marlow Town	1,088.31	1,269.70	1,451.08	1,632.46	1,995.23	2,358.00	2,720.77	3,264.92
Medmenham	1,080.79	1,260.93	1,441.06	1,621.19	1,981.45	2,341.72	2,701.98	3,242.38
Piddington & Wheeler End	1,106.14	1,290.50	1,474.85	1,659.21	2,027.92	2,396.63	2,765.35	3,318.42
Princes Risborough	1,120.06	1,306.75	1,493.42	1,680.10	2,053.45	2,426.81	2,800.16	3,360.20
Radnage	1,100.37	1,283.77	1,467.17	1,650.56	2,017.35	2,384.14	2,750.93	3,301.12
Stokenchurch	1,078.88	1,258.71	1,438.52	1,618.33	1,977.95	2,337.59	2,697.21	3,236.66
Turville	1,074.36	1,253.42	1,432.48	1,611.55	1,969.67	2,327.79	2,685.91	3,223.10
WestW'- Parish Council	1109.71	1294.68	1479.63	1664.58	2034.48	2404.40	2774.30	3329.16
Wooburn and Bourne End	1103.09	1286.95	1470.79	1654.64	2022.33	2390.04	2757.73	3309.28

 

(v) That in accordance with sections 52ZB and 52ZC of the Act it is determined that the Council’s relevant basic amount of Council Tax for 2017/2018 is not excessive.

 

(vi) Council Tax Reduction Scheme

 

The Council introduced its own scheme after the government abolished the national Council Tax Benefit system, Council Tax Reduction Scheme Policy. The rules of the 2017/18 scheme were unchanged from the 2016/17 scheme.