Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services outlining the Council’s position on Council Tax for the year 2021/22.

Councillor Robinson confirmed that this was a statutory duty to approve the Council Tax for 2021/22, and this resolution reflected the consolidation of all the precepts for Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Fire Authority, parish and town councils and Rushcliffe Borough Council. Rushcliffe’s Council Tax remained the lowest in Nottinghamshire and within the lowest quartile nationally. Councillor Robinson also thanked all Councillors who had participated in the Budget Workshops before Christmas which had helped to shape the difficult decisions that had needed to be made this year.

Councillor J Walker raised concerns regarding the proposed rise in Council Tax for this year and saw it as a further burden on the poorest in the Borough. She reminded Council that the Council Tax system was long overdue reform and criticised the Council for further increasing the chasm between the Borough’s wealthiest and poorest residents especially at a time when the poorest in the Borough’s communities were already significantly disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic.

Councillor Jones agreed that the Council Tax system did not adequately reflect disparities in wealth of both individuals and geographic areas and stated that the Liberal Democrat Party would be supporting the Council Tax rise reluctantly. 

Councillor R Mallender agreed that the Council Tax system was outdated and imperfect but reminded Council that it was the only system at the moment. He called on national Government to find a fairer and more equitable way to fund local government.

Councillor Edyvean responded to the points raised by Councillors and remined them that town and parish councils set their own precepts to fund local development projects, those funds were not used to subsidise the Borough. He expressed the view that the Council’s finances were robust and healthy as a result of effective budget management over a number of years not because of over-taxation.

Councillor Robinson reminded Council that people wanted to live in Rushcliffe and, as a result, the Council was a victim of its own success.  The Council needed to support a growing community, attract new business and create jobs for local people; and to do that the Council had to levy a Council Tax, as required by national policy. He reminded Councillors that it was illegal not to set the Council Tax and that by refusing to support the recommendations, Councillors would not be acting responsibly or in the best interests of local residents.

It was RESOLVED that the Council Tax Resolution for 2021/22 as detailed at Appendix A be approved.