Agenda item

The Chair invited Aivaras Statkevi?ius, Senior Advisor, to introduce the report which outlines the DCLG technical consultation on the 2017/18 local government finance settlement. The consultation sets out the Government’s proposed approach to the 2017/18 settlement, the second year of the four-year offer for local government.

For the first time, DCLG is proposing that council tax referendum principles will apply to town and parish councils for which the Band D charge is higher than £75.46 (the lowest Band D charge by a district council) and the total precept raises over £500,000.  The LGA received a letter from the National Association of Local Councils asking the LGA to lobby against this proposal.

The consultation also proposes allowing areas with mayoral combined authorities the option to request adjustments to the calculation of grant and business rates payments, to reflect changes in the way existing duties are carried out by authorities.

The Board restated its opposition to council tax referendum limits and felt this point should be made strongly in response to the consultation.

In relation to the additional charge available to cover adult social care services, members were keen to highlight that the additional 2 per cent increase would not be enough to cover the increased costs associated with the national living wage.

Decision:

The Board noted the consultation.

Action:

Officers to progress in line with members comments.