This item was taken out of order following a motion by Chair to vary the order of the agenda, the Vice Chair seconded the motion.  Following a show of hands the motion was carried.

Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) presented the report on the Council Tax Base Setting and Council Tax Support Scheme 2019/20. Councillor Lowry advised that due to an administrative error the report be amended as follows -

·         Cover Sheet (under Financial implications) replace 73,095 with 73, 172

·         Main body of the report (paragraph 2.1) - replace 73,095 with 73, 172

·         Appendix A amended as appended to this minute.

Following a short debate the motion was to put to the vote and council agreed to-

1.    approve the Council Tax Base for 2019/20 as set out in the report;

2.    approve the continuation of the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 with a new paragraph added  to clarify when the claim can be made as follows: 

a.     69.2(d) By means of an electronic notification to the Local Authority from the Department of Work and Pensions, generated when a claim to Universal Credit is made.

3.    use the powers described in paragraph 5.6 to apply a full council tax discount, effectively reducing the amount of council tax payable to zero, for Plymouth care leavers until they reach their 25^th birthday.

4.    remove the 50% discount for empty properties as set out in section 6 of the report.

5.    increase the premium for properties which have been empty for more than two years from 50% to 100% as set out in section 7 of the report.

Cabinet Member: Councillor Darcy (Cabinet Member for Finance).

The City Council will be asked to approve the Council Tax Base setting for 2018/19.

The minute of Cabinet held on 16 January 2018 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

Councillor Ian Darcy (Cabinet Member for Finance and IT) presented the report on the Council Tax Base Setting 2018/19, Councillor Ian Bowyer (Leader) seconded the report. 

Following the vote, the Council agreed to  -

1.    approve the Council Tax Base for 2018/19 as set out in the report;

2.    approve the continuation of the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2018/19 with an update that “The authority may use information provided by the DWP and HMRC for the purposes of Council Tax Reduction, council tax liability, billing, administration and enforcement”.

For the Motion (50)

Councillors  Bowie,  Coker,  Davey,  Evans OBE,  Hendy,  Lowry,  McDonald, Morris,  Murphy,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete,  Rennie,  Smith,  Stevens,  J Taylor,  K Taylor,  Tuffin,  Tuohy,  Vincent,  Wheeler,  Ball,  Mrs Beer,  Bowyer,  Mrs Bowyer,  Churchill,  Darcy,  Deacon,  Downie,  Drean,  Fletcher,  Foster,  Fry,  James,  Jordan,  Kelly,  Martin Leaves,  Michael Leaves,  Mrs Leaves,  Dr Mahony,  Nicholson,  Mrs Pengelly,  Wigens,  Mrs Bridgeman,  Riley,  Storer,  Sparling,  Mavin,  Carson,  Winter,  Mrs Loveridge and Cook.

Against the motion (0)

Abstentions (1)

Lord Mayor

Absent/Did not vote (6)

Councillors Aspinall, Dann, Davey, Penberthy, Singh and Ricketts.

Cabinet Member: Councillor Darcy (Cabinet Member for Finance).

The City Council will be asked to approve the Council Tax Base setting for 2017/18.

The minute of Cabinet held on 17 January 2017 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

Councillor Darcy (Cabinet Member for Finance) proposed and Councillor Deacon seconded the Council Tax Base Setting 2017/18 (Cabinet minute 51 refers).

Agreed the Council Tax Base Setting.

Councillor Darcy introduced the Council Tax Base report and it was agreed that Cabinet recommend to Council the approval of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 as set out in the report.