Clash over changes to council tax reduction plan

THE COUNCIL tax base for the next financial year was approved by the council.

This refers to the number of Band D equivalent properties in a local authority's area after discounts and exemptions. Thiswas 70,810 homes in October last year, so the adjusted figure – taking into account the new builds and bad debts, will be 73,297.1 for the year 2021/22.

Introducing the debate,

Cllr John Kaiser, the executive member for finance, said that it was ‘prudent housekeeping’.

“We have seen an increase (in housing numbers) again this year, which shows that the borough is growing, it's 1.75%. And it allows … the precept to be set by parishes and towns alike.

“The recommendation is quite simple. Thatwe agree the proposed council tax base for thewhole area by parish as set out in the report.”

Lib Dem leader Cllr Lindsay Ferris queried: “Within the Council Tax base there is a 1% Allowance for nonpayment. This is the same level of allowance as last year, however I believewe have had greater pressure on Council Tax payments this year due to the Pandemic. I therefore ask whether a 1% allowance is sufficient to cover any potential losses?”

Cllr Kaiser said that he had been assured by the officers that thiswould be sufficient.

The numberswere approved.

After this vote, the council approved a newcouncil Tax Reduction Scheme, which ensures thatworking age borough residentswho experience financial difficulties in paying their council tax liabilities have access to a scheme of assistance. As per the last financial year, the carers allowance will be ignoredwhen calculating any discount.

Arrangements forwarwidows and war disability pension residentswill continue as usual.

Cllr Kaiser said that thiswas a commitment fulfilled by the council and that the reforms “bring greater support for residents”.

“I’m happy to announce therewill be additional support for care leavers in next year’s budget. This is the removal of the financial burden of council tax for young people up to the age of 25.”

He added that thiswas a worthwhile benefit for residentswho needed support and “form part of the borough's councils strategy to help eradicate poverty in the borough”.

Cllr Sarah Kerr (Lib Dem, Evendons) said: “Howpleased I am that the Liberal Democrat proposal to disregard carers allowance in the award calculation has been taken on board”.

Cllr Rachel Burgesswelcomed the removal of the carers allowance from the proposals.

“For years carers have been unfairly penalised – it’s astonishing that it has taken a global pandemic for the Conservatives towake up to the value of our carers,” she said.

And she argued that the council should have gone further: “With Covid, andwith the proposed Conservative cuts to Universal Credit, more and more peoplewill be left behind – protection of these people and their families should be at the heart of our response. Ameagre increase after years of cut backs is quite frankly insulting.”

Cllr Pauline Heliar-Symons (Con, WokinghamWithout) said that the Conservatives first raised these issues three years agowhen she chaired the Children’s Overviewand Scrutiny Committee but the moneywasn’t available.

“Because of incredibly careful financial management by John Kaiser, supported by John Halsall, our finances are in an incredibly healthy state. And that'swhywe have now been able to do it. But please don't claim credit for something thatwas already a Conservative idea.”

Cllr Emma Hobbs (Con, Charvil) said that the proposal couldn’t have been adopted earlier because “the Labour party almost bankrupted this country and it’s taken us years and years and years to get out this”.

Summing up, Cllr Halsall said it was shameful that the opposition focus on the council’s gross debt of £700 million, when its net debtwas below£100 million, and that the council’s investments included property in Twyford andWoodley that provide “strong blue chip returns “so thatwe can be influential and develop these towns and the future regeneration”.

“The opposition keeps announcing that theywill do thingswhich have already been done. Butwhat do you expect? Rememberwhen last Lib Dems manage the council's finances, the councilwent broke.”

Cllr Carl Doran made a point of order at this point, saying that nearly 70% of that speech had nothing to do with the council tax reduction scheme, but Cllr Halsall said that Labour had consistently raised national issues that had nothing to do with the council.

Cllr Kaiser said: “I’m absolutely stunned. We’re trying to help the most vulnerable in the borough … Howdare the Labour party vote against it? This is savings for the most vulnerable in the borough.”

The motionwas carried.