Issue - meetings

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

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and RESOLVED that the meeting be extended and would finish no later than 10.30pm.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services outlining the Council’s position on Council Tax for the year 2024/25.

The Leader advised that this was a technical process to set the Council Tax and moved the recommendation as detailed in the report.

Councillor Virdi seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Gowland stated that Rushcliffe took more Council Tax, despite the rate being lower and core spending power was also higher in Rushcliffe.  Central Grants continued to decline, and the Conservative Government had deliberately pushed taxes into Council Tax, which was regressive.  Rushcliffe was asking to take more money from its residents to put in the bank, and whilst understanding the importance of having reserves, Councillor Gowland stated that the Council had a guaranteed income from Council Tax. Councillor Gowland agreed that it was important not to be in debt; however, the Council was not reducing its debt, it was increasing its reserves and it was unclear what would be done with the additional money being raised.  This money should be used instead to reduce cuts to Disabled Facilities Grants, address climate change challenges or to build council houses.  Councillor Gowland concluded by advising that the Labour Group would be supporting the recommendation, as the Group wanted to spend the money sensibly in the near future.

Councillor Virdi referred to Council Tax take and agreed that Rushcliffe did have a slightly higher proportion; however, out of the neighbouring seven districts, Rushcliffe was mid-range and if Business Rates were included, Rushcliffe was at the bottom.  In respect of Levelling Up funding, Councillor Virdi advised that Rushcliffe also received very little compared to other neighbouring districts.

It was RESOLVED that the Council Tax Resolution for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix A to the report be approved.