Agenda item

Agenda Item 6 – Notice of Motion

RECOMMENDED that the Council brings forward the 2023 / 24 Budget and a fully costed 2023 - 27 Corporate Plan at the same time and in advance of the 2023 municipal year.

Agenda Item 11 – Council Tax Support Scheme 2023 / 24

RECOMMENDED

(i)         That the following changes to the existing schemes are approved:

a.         a cost of living increase in line with the Department for Work and Pensions schemes be included in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) for 2023 / 24 for Pensioners only;

b.         that any legislative changes being introduced to the Housing Benefit Scheme, for 2023 / 24 are mirrored in the Council’s LCTS to ensure consistency;

c.         minor technical amendments to ensure that we are able to administer the Scheme reflecting current local and national guidance and that we may disregard anything determined to be a local welfare payment from our calculation;

d.         provision to award up to a £25 discount to eligible LCTS recipients for 2023 / 24 only.

(ii)        that these decisions have been made following Members careful reading of and regard to the Equality Impact Assessment at APPENDIX 1;

(iii)       that Members note the framework for the Hardship Provision at APPENDIX 2;

(iv)       that the Policy document at APPENDIX 3, be approved.

Agenda Item 12 – Council Tax Discretionary Discount Levels

RECOMMENDED

(i)         That the following changes are approved to have effect from 1 April 2024:

a.         An empty home premium of 100% is levied on properties empty longer than one year;

b.         The Council Tax for second homes which are no one’s sole or main residence is increased by 100% through the application of a premium at the maximum permitted amount.

(ii)        That no changes are made to the Councils Section 13a1C discretionary reduction policy to specifically deal with empty properties which are being marketed for sale;

(iii)       That these decisions are reviewed as part of the budget setting process for 2024 / 25 and annually thereafter.

Agenda Item 13 – Pay Policy Statement

RECOMMENDED that the Pay Policy Statement attached at APPENDIX 4, be adopted for 2023.

Agenda Item 14 – Maldon Citzens Advice – Funding Request

RECOMMENDED that Members consider applying an inflationary increase of 6% to the Advice Services Contract, totaling £4,500.

Please note that the following recommendations coming forward from this Committee are not for consideration at this point as they form part of Agenda Item 9 - 2023 / 24 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, due to be considered at this meeting:

·                 Capital and Investment Strategies for 2023 / 24 and Minimum Reserve Statement 2023 / 24;

·                 Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023 / 24 – 2025 / 26;

·                 Revised 2022 / 23 Estimates, Original 2023 / 24 Budget Estimates and Council Tax 2023 / 24;

·                 Treasury Management 2023 / 24.

The Council considered the following recommendations coming forward from the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.

Agenda Item 6 – Notice of Motion

It was noted that this item of business had been dealt with under Agenda Item 15 – Corporate Plan Draft 2023 – 2027.

RESOLVED that the Council brings forward the 2023 / 24 Budget and a fully costed 2023 - 27 Corporate Plan at the same time and in advance of the 2023 municipal year.

Agenda Item 11 – Council Tax Support Scheme 2023 / 24

RESOLVED

(i)         That the following changes to the existing schemes are approved:

a.               cost of living increase in line with the Department for Work and Pensions schemes be included in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) for 2023 / 24 for Pensioners only;

b.         that any legislative changes being introduced to the Housing Benefit Scheme, for 2023 / 24 are mirrored in the Council’s LCTS to ensure consistency;

c.         minor technical amendments to ensure that we are able to administer the Scheme reflecting current local and national guidance and that we may disregard anything determined to be a local welfare payment from our calculation;

d.         provision to award up to a £25 discount to eligible LCTS recipients for 2023 / 24 only.

(ii)        that these decisions have been made following Members careful reading of and regard to the Equality Impact Assessment at Appendix 1 to the report considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee);

(iii)        that the framework for the Hardship Provision at Appendix 2 (to the report considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee) APPENDIX 2 be noted;

(iv)       that the Policy document at Appendix 3 to the report considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee), be approved.

Agenda Item 12 – Council Tax Discretionary Discount Levels

RESOLVED

(i)         That the following changes are approved to have effect from 1 April 2024:

a.               An empty home premium of 100% is levied on properties empty longer than one year;

b.         The Council Tax for second homes which are no one’s sole or main residence is increased by 100% through the application of a premium at the maximum permitted amount.

(ii)        That no changes are made to the Councils Section 13a1C discretionary reduction policy to specifically deal with empty properties which are being marketed for sale;

(iii)       That these decisions are reviewed as part of the budget setting process for 2024 / 25 and annually thereafter.

Councillor Mrs P A Channer asked that it be noted in light of her earlier declaration of interest she had not voted on this item of business.

Agenda Item 13 – Pay Policy Statement

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement attached at Appendix 4 to the report considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee), be adopted for 2023.

Agenda Item 14 – Maldon Citzens Advice – Funding Request

Councillor S White, Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee moved the recommendation coming forward from her Committee.

During the brief debate that ensued, Members noted the valuable work carried out by Maldon Citizen Advice and the support they provided to residents.

RESOLVED that Members consider applying an inflationary increase of 6% to the Advice Services Contract, totalling £4,500.

Members were reminded that the following recommendations coming forward from this Committee were not for consideration at this point as they formed part of Agenda Item 9 - 2023 / 24 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy:

·                  Capital and Investment Strategies for 2023 / 24 and Minimum Reserve Statement 2023 / 24;

·                  Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023 / 24 – 2025 / 26;

·                  Revised 2022 / 23 Estimates, Original 2023 / 24 Budget Estimates and Council Tax 2023 / 24;

·                  Treasury Management 2023 / 24.