Issue - meetings

(a)       That the 2016-17 Council Tax be set as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       That no discount in the level of Council Tax charges for second homes and long term empty homes be offered; and

(c)       That designated officers issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes.

The Revenues Manager presented the report to formally set the Council Tax for 2016/17 by the statutory deadline.  The Council Tax resolution included precepts relating to the County Council, Police & Crime Commissioner for North Wales and all Town/Community Councils.  The Council Tax charges/levels detailed in the report had been approved as part of the final budget proposals on 16 February 2016 with the proposed 4.5% increase in County Council precept equating to £1,071.41 per year on Band ‘D’ properties.  The report also sought agreement to offer no discount in the level of Council Tax charges for second homes and long term empty homes (linked to the next agenda item) and to allow designated officers, including the Revenues Manager and his team, to institute legal proceedings and appear in Court on the Council’s behalf in respect of unpaid taxes.

Councillor Mike Peers sought information on the £15,069,691 precept paid by the Council to the P&CC along with any impact on staff in collecting the amount.  The Revenues Manager explained that this figure was the total premium levied for 2016/17 and equated to a £240.12 charge for each Band ‘D’ property.  This was an increase of £4.68 or 1.99% from the previous year.

The Chief Executive referred to debate at the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee where it was clarified that the costs of the Police & Crime Commissioner and his office were funded by the Home Office and that the Council’s contribution was for the North Wales Police force.  Whilst the Council had no direct role in challenging the precept amount beyond the Police & Crime Panel, concerns had been raised on the previously predicted increase in the precept.  The final precept was lower than predicted.  It was also clarified that the Council was unable to recover administrative costs for the collection of the precept.

As Chair of the Police & Crime Panel, Councillor Glenys Diskin gave an assurance that whilst the panel undertook careful scrutiny, it had no powers to make changes to the precept.

Councillor Carver requested that his vote against the motion be recorded.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the 2016-17 Council Tax be set as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       That no discount in the level of Council Tax charges for second homes and long term empty homes be offered; and

(c)       That designated officers issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes.