Agenda item

Cabinet was informed that since the report was prepared, DCLG had issued revised instructions on retail relief for small businesses.  An addendum sheet was tabled reflecting these changes which do not affect the recommendations of the report. The changes will be reflected in the report to Council on 26 February.    

The Ledaer announced a proposed amendment to the Environment Leisure and Residents’ Services (ELRS) Fees and Charges Exceptions contained in Appendix F of the report which had been circulated.  The Council will continue the practice of waiving burial charges for residents children up to 16 years of age.  The amended ELRS list of Fees and Charges Exceptions to the standard uplift of 3.3% for inflation at Appendix A reflects this policy.  There are no other changes to the proposed ELRS fees and charges.  Retaining the existing policy has no implications for the Council’s 2014/15 budget to be approved.

RESOLVED:-

1.1       That approval be given to a 3% 2014/15 council tax reduction for the Hammersmith & Fulham element. 

1.2       That the council tax be set for 2014/15 for each category of dwelling, as calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011, as outlined below and in full in Appendix A:

(a)       The element of council tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £735.16 per Band D property in 2014/15.

(b)       The element of council tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be £299.00 per Band D property in 2014/14

(c)       The overall Council Tax to be set at £1,034.16  per Band D property in 2014/15.

1.3       That the Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2014/15  is set at £172.033m.

1.4       That fees and charges are approved as set out in paragraph 6.1

1.5       That the budget projections made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance to 2016/17 be noted.

1.6       That the statement made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (section 14).

1.7       That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance be authorised to collect and recover National Non-Domestic Rate and Council Tax in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council Schemes of Delegation.

1.8       That all Executive Directors be required to report monthly on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates (as part of the Corporate Monitoring Report).

1.9       That all Executive Directors  be authorised to implement their service spending plans for 2014/15 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.

1.10    Members’ attention is drawn to S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which requires any Member, who is two months or more in arrears on their Council Tax, to declare their position and not to vote on any issue that could affect the calculation of the budget or Council Tax.