Agenda and minutes

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval of the policy for discounts for empty homes (to replace the existing Class A and Class C exemptions), long term empty homes and second homes to be implemented from 1 April 2013, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9636)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  Recommends that Full Council

(a)  Approves the policy that the empty homes discount is left at 100% for Class C empty properties but that the discount is reduced from six months to one month from 1 April 2013.

(b)  Approves the policy that the empty homes discount is reduced from 100% to 50% for Class A empty properties from 1 April 2013.

(c)  Approves the introduction of a long term empty properties premium set at 50% from 1 April 2013.

(d)  Approves the removal of the second home discount so that Council Tax will be payable in full on these properties from 1 April 2013.

(e)  Approves the introduction of discretionary hardship support under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 with effect from 1 April 2013 as set out in Appendix 1.

(f)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources to approve the NNDR 1 return for the City Council from 2013/14 and for future years.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval to delegate authority to Senior Manager Property Procurement and Contract Management to approve the final detailed terms of purchase, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9637)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  Considers the issues set out in this report and determines whether or not they wish to update the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme which is in place under S13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

(ii)  Recommends that Full Council:

(a)  Notes and considers the responses from the consultation process and the Equalities Impact Assessment as set out in paragraphs 7 to 13 and Appendix 1.

(b)  Applies any changes resulting from an update of the Council Tax reduction scheme in respect of the “pensioners” element of the Scheme, to all persons who meet the current qualifying criteria which is that it is available to persons who are:-

a)  liable to pay Council Tax either jointly of in their own right, by being an owner occupier or a tenant of a dwelling within Southampton, which is their sole or main residence;

b)  aged 65 or over and all other residents of the household are 65 or over; and

c)  not in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.

c)  Applies any changes resulting from an update of the Council Tax reduction scheme in respect of the “Special Constable” element of the Scheme, to all persons who meet the current qualifying criteria which is that it is available to persons who are:-

(a) Special Constables: and

(c)  reside in a property within Southampton where there is a liability for Council Tax and serve as a Special Constable within Southampton.

d)  Updates the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme and reduces the level of reduction in respect of the “pensioners” element to zero.

e)  Updates the current discretionary Council Tax reduction scheme and reduces the level of reduction in respect of the “Special Constable” element to zero.

f)  Authorises the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to take any further action necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.