Issue - meetings

That the above recommendations be approved.

The Chief Executive advised that Council was asked to consider the formal resolutions to set Council Tax for 2020/21 following approval of the budget and the recommended Council Tax level. 

The Revenue Support Manager drew attention to the data provided in Table 4 of the information tabled at the meeting which detailed the amounts of Council Tax for 2020/21 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.  He provided background information and advised that should Council approve setting Council Tax at 4.75% the total Council Tax  yield collected from April 2020 would be £108.4M.  He explained that this consisted of the County Council’s total precept of £86.6M;  the North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner’s total precept of £18.76M;  and a collective precept of just over £3M across Town and Community Councils. 

In accordance with other procedural matters, Members were asked to endorse the continuation of the practice for designated officers to lead on legal proceedings on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates Court for unpaid taxes; to Authorise the Corporate Finance Manager to advertise in the local press the list of approved Council Tax charges for 2020/21; and endorse the continuation of the Council Tax Premium scheme. 

The Revenues Manager reported that Flintshire had a total of 69,503 residents which paid council tax.   He explained that a leaflet would be distributed with each Council Tax statement to raise awareness that residents had an option to pay the Council Tax charge in 12 monthly instalments instead of the statutory 10 month scheme.   

The Chair and Chief Executive thanked the Revenues Manager and his team for their work.  The Chief Executive drew attention to the achievement that the Council had the highest performing Council Tax collection rate across Wales, as recognised by the Welsh Audit Office.

In response to a query from Councillor Mike Peers, the Revenues Manager agreed to distribute further details to Members on the increase in Council Tax charges for each Town and Community Council in Flintshire. 

Councillor Ian Roberts moved the following recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Carolyn Thomas.

(1)       That Council Tax for 2020/21 be set based on the list of charges as set out in the List of Council Tax Statutory Resolutions and Charges (as circulated at full Council);

(2)       That Council notes and endorses the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of Council Tax charges for second homes and long term empty homes, and where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 50% above the standard rate of Council Tax for second homes and long term empty dwellings;

(3)       That approval be given for  designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates Court for unpaid taxes; and

(4)       That the Corporate Finance Manager be authorised to advertise in the local press the list of approved Council Tax charges for 2020/21

On being put to the vote the recommendations were carried.

RESOLVED:

That the above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110