Agenda item

The Chair invited Nicola Morton, Head of Local Government Finance, to present the report which provided a summary of the work by the LGA on funding and finance issues since the previous meeting.

Since the circulation of the agenda, the government had published an Online Sales Tax consultation which officers were working on providing a response.

Members discussed the report and asked questions of clarification.

In response to concerns raised over the practicalities of billing authorities delivering Council Tax Energy Rebate for 2022/23, Members were advised that the LGA had been liaising with the government on the issues raised. Members requested the link to the guidance and funding allocations, published on 23 February 2022, be circulated to them.

It was agreed that discussions relating to pensions would take place in the private session of the Board meeting, following item 5.

Actions:

• Officers to circulate the guidance and allocations for council tax billing authorities on the £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate, and allocation for the £144 million discretionary fund to Board Members
• Officers to circulate the report from WPI Economics assessing certain options for local government finance reform to Board Members

Decision:

The Members noted the report