Skip to main content

Agenda item

Approval of Council Tax Base and 2023-2024 Budget Update

Purpose:

This report provides an update on the developing budget for 2023/24. To consider:

1)    The draft base budgets for 2023/24

2)    Fees and charges for 2023/24

3)    Adoption of the Council Tax Base for 2023/24

4)    The submission of the business rates return

 

Recommendations:

Subject to the decisions of Cabinet on 11 January 2023, Council is recommended to resolve to:

1)    Approve the Council Tax Base shown in Annex G, calculated as £47,078.85 for the year 2023/24

2)    Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to submit the National Non Domestic Rates Return 1 (NNDR1) to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by the submission date of 31st January 2023

3)    Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to approve the annual uprating of allowances and non-dependent deductions in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme in line with national regulations.

Minutes:

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report that provided an update on the developing budget for 2023/24. Council was asked to consider:

1) The draft base budgets for 2023-2024;

2) Fees and charges for 2023-2024;

3) Adoption of the Council Tax Base for 2023-2024;

4) The submission of the business rates return.

 

Councillor Levy gave an overview of the current position surrounding the 2023-2024 budget. Councillor Levy highlighted that the Council was now in a position of surplus finance, rather than in a position of deficit, although this still does not keep up with the current levels of Inflation more widely. Councillor Levy also stated that there may be headwinds ahead, and difficult decisions may be forthcoming in the future.

 

Councillor Levy said that there was a direction received from Central Government that Council Tax would need to be raised by a maximum allowed amount. For the West Oxfordshire District, this was £5 on a Band D Property, as the District had a low Council Tax base. Councillor Levy reminded Members that the portion of Council tax that remains within the Council, is indeed low, and most of the funds received are passed on to other precepting authorities.

 

In debate, it was highlighted that there was a pound sign (£) within the first of the recommendations, when this should have just been a number. This was confirmed by the Chief Finance Officer.

A consultation took place surrounding the Council’s budget, and it was widely received that the majority of residents would like to pay less, for a more enhanced service. The consultation was carried out in the appropriate way.

Councillor Levy also highlighted that the direction that came from Central Government regarding the raising of council tax was indeed necessary, and if not followed through, this may hinder opportunities for support on other projects and ideas that the Council may have in the future.

 

Councillor Levy proposed that Council agree the recommendations as set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Graham, and was agreed unanimously by Council.

 

Council Resolved to:

1.    Approve the Council Tax Base shown in Annex G, calculated as 47,078.85 for the year 2023-2024;

2.    Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to submit the National Non Domestic Rates Return 1 (NNDR1) to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by the submission date of 31st January 2023;

3.      Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to approve the annual uprating of allowances and non-dependent deductions in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme in line with national regulations.

Supporting documents:

 

Related Pages