Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Resources, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Resources relating to the Council Tax Base for 2021 / 22.  It was noted that the Council had to notify its tax base calculations to Essex County Council, Essex Fire Authority, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Parish Councils by 31 January 2021.

The report explained that the tax base figure was an integral part of the calculations for setting the level of Council Tax.  The detailed calculation of the relevant amounts for 2021 / 22 were shown in Appendix A to the report. 

Members were informed that the tax base used for 2020 / 21 (the current year) was 25,090.8.  The proposed new figure for the forthcoming year represented a decrease of 131.7 or 0.52%.  This decrease related to the expected fall in collection rate of 1.3% and the increase in Local Council Tax Support of 6.3%

The Chairman moved that the recommendation as set out in the report be agreed.  This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken agreed.

In response to a question, the Director of Resources advised that Council Tax increases for the district were capped at 2% and anything above this would require a local referendum.  Members were reminded that the setting of Council Tax for 2021 / 22 would be a Council decision scheduled to take place at the February budget meeting.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012 the amount calculated by Maldon District Council as its council tax base for the 2020 / 21 year shall be set at 25,090.8.