Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

This report summarises the Local Government Resources Review project and provides a welfare reform overview

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To note the contents of this report and the initial indications of the impact for the Council.

(2)               To approve the suggested consultation and timetable for Council Tax support.

(3)               To approve in principle an application for pooling with Oxfordshire councils for Business Rates localisation.

(4)               To note that a further report will be presented in September 2012 outlining progress and the impact on the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  

Recommendations approved

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which summarise the Local Government Resources Review project and provides a welfare reform overview.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Financial Management provided an overview of the appendices to the report which provided detailed information on localised council tax support, business rates localisation, welfare reform and universal credit and the implications and options for the council.

Members were advised that as new data was being received all the time, regular updates and would be provided. Additionally, all Members would be offered the opportunity to attend training seminars on the issues presented by both the Local Government Resources Review and Welfare Reform.

Councillor Tim Emptage, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group, addressed Executive and thanked officers for a succinct report which covered the many changes arising from the Local Government Resources Review and Welfare Reform. The Liberal Democratic Group Leader commented that it appeared the same groups of people would be affected by all changes and stressed the importance of alleviating the burden on vulnerable groups. He sought assurance that there would be effective consultation and Members would be kept informed.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that all Group Leaders would be briefed and kept up to date on matters.

Councillor Patrick Cartledge, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed Executive and highlighted that there would be tremendous financial implications on both the Council and residents across the district.

In response to the Labour Group Leader’s questions regarding a possible countywide council tax localisation scheme, the Leader of the Council acknowledged that there would be benefits in having a countywide scheme and talks were at an early stage.

The Leader of the Council further commented that it was important for the Council to have strong policies which co-operated with each other to support residents in the current economic climate.

Resolved

(1)               That the contents of the report and the initial indications of the impact for the Council be noted.

(2)               That the consultation and timetable for Council Tax support be approved.

(3)               That, in principle, an application for pooling with Oxfordshire councils for Business Rates localisation be approved.

(4)               That it be noted that further report would be presented in September 2012 outlining progress and the impact on the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  

Reasons

This report provides members with information on the Local Government Resource Review and Welfare Reform and potential implications for the Council, residents and services.

Options