Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)       the 2009/10 Council Tax Base be set at 38,200 for the Borough, and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police Authority, and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

(2)       the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes be set as follows:

The Executive Board had considered a report regarding the determination of the “Tax Base” for the area and the tax base for each of the Parishes. It was noted that the Council was required to notify the figure to the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police Authority and the Environment Agency by 31^st January 2009. The Council was also required to calculate and advise, if requested, the Parish Councils of their relevant tax bases.

The Leader undertook to respond in writing to Councillor Findon’s question regarding how much the tax base had increased by over the last year.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the 2009/10 Council Tax Base be set at 38,200 for the Borough, and the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police Authority, and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

(2)       the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes be set as follows:

            The Board considered a report of the Operational Director – Financial Services regarding the “Tax Base” for the area and the tax base for each of the Parishes. It was noted that the Council was required to notify the figure to the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police Authority and the Environment Agency by 31^st January 2009. In addition, the Council was required to calculate and advise, if requested, the Parish Councils of their relevant tax bases.

            The Tax Base was the measure used for calculating the council tax and was used by both the billing authority (the Council) and the major precepting authorities (the Cheshire Fire Authority and the Cheshire Police Authority) in the calculation of their council tax requirements. It was arrived at in accordance with a prescribed formula representing the estimated full year number of chargeable dwellings in the Borough expressed in terms of the equivalent of Band “D” dwellings. Taking account of all the relevant information and applying a 99% collection rate, the calculation for 2009/2010 gave a tax base figure of 38,200 for the Borough as a whole.

The Board noted that the collection rate of 99% was what was currently achieved and was amongst the best in the region. However, there was a risk that this would reduce given the current economic climate.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended that

(1)       the 2009/10 Council Tax Base be set at 38,200 for the Borough, and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police Authority, and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

(2)       the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes be set as follows: