Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 24 June 2019.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 24 June 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements made at this meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on Council Tax discounts and exemptions.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the proposed changes to the Council’s discretionary Council Tax discounts, exemptions, reliefs and premiums policy.

The Local Taxation and Corporate Debt Manager tabled an item which set out the amendments to the report that had taken place since its publication, which has been appended to these minutes.

Member attention was drawn to the amendments made to the recommendation since it was published.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor S D T Woodward, Executive Member for Policy and Resources addressed the Panel on this item.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel asks the Executive to note their endorsement of the following recommendations, when it considers this item at it meeting on 4 November 2019:

a)    Approve the latest discretionary reductions and premiums set out in Appendix A:

·         To remove the discount currently allowed on empty and unoccupied properties which have been vacant for less than 1 month, so that no discount is given (Class C);

·         To remove the discount currently allowed on empty and unoccupied properties undergoing or requiring major works to make them habitable, so that no discount is given (Class D);

·         To implement 100% to 300% Long Term Empty property premiums for properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 24 months; and

b)    Agree the approach for the proposed policy for up to 100% of the Council Tax for properties occupied by Care Leavers under 25 years of age, to be considered as irrecoverable.

To consider a report by the Director of Leisure and Community on a Review of the Corporate Strategy and Local Service Agreements.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on an annual review of the Council’s Corporate Strategy and Local Service Agreements.

The Panel requested that the following changes be made:

Page 45 of the report under the heading of Strong, Safe and Inclusive and Healthy Communities on the last bullet point the word ‘intimated’ be changed to ‘intimidated’; and

The bullet point on page 86 of the report pack which read “Develop long term plans aimed at bringing the Ashcroft Arts Centre and Ferneham Hall together into a new and exciting single arts and entertainment venue;” be removed from the Local Service Agreements as this is no longer part of the Council’s Corporate Strategy.

RESOLVED that, subject to the amendments listed above, the Panel recommends the Corporate Strategy and Local Service Agreements report to the Executive for endorsement, when it considers this item at its meeting on 4 November 2019.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual members during the same time period.

The Panel considered the Executive items of business which fall under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio, including Executive Member decisions and Officer delegated decisions, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel on 24 June 2019.

The Panel considered the decisions shown at items 8 (1) to 8 (3) of the agenda.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel considered the following items of Executive Business.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Policy and Resources Panel.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer addressed the Panel on this item, and updated them on items of business that are being considered for the January 2020 meeting of the Panel.

Members were given the opportunity to put forward any further items that would like to consider. No further items were put forward for the Scrutiny Plan.