Councillor Nick Kelly (Leader of the Council) introduced the Council Tax Base Setting 2022/23 and Council Support Scheme 2022/23.  This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Vivienne Pengelly.

Following a discussion the Council agreed –

For (46)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall Bingley, Mrs Bridgeman, Dr Buchan, Cllr Carlyle, Churchill Coker, Collins, Corvid, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Hendy, Hulme, James, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Singh, Shayer, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tuffin, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Wheeler.

Against (0)

Abstain (1) Lord Mayor

Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of the Council provided an update to cabinet for this item.

The council tax base for 22/23 is based on total housing stock as of October 2021. The Tax base is the estimated number of dwellings in the Local Authority modified to take account the different proportions payable, discounts, premiums and other reductions.

A Change in legalisation allowed for an additional premium to be charged if a dwelling had been left empty for more than two years.

The assumed collection rate for Plymouth City Council would be 97.5% and would be the same as the collection rate for 2021/22.

The tax base for Plymouth had increased by 715 properties compared to last year. The average Band D total base had been forecast to be 73,830 properties. 

Following the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit Scheme in 2013, Plymouth had implemented two local benefit schemes, a Council Tax support and discretionary or exceptional hardship scheme. Members and residents of Plymouth had been advised that if they are struggling with paying their Council Tax or that their circumstances had changed they may be eligible for support through these schemes.

Cabinet agreed to:

1.     The Council Tax Base for 2022/23 of 73,830 equivalent Band D dwellings as set out in the report.

2.    The continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme and Exceptional Hardship Scheme for 2022/23 with no updates.