Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the Council Tax Base for 2024/25.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the proposed Council Tax Base for 2024/25.

In response to a Member’s question, the Strategic Director (CF) explained that the Council Tax Base had been calculated based on the number of properties as at October 2023, discounting those in receipt of Council Tax Support or Single Persons Discount, and converting the resultant figure to a Band D equivalent property.  This was why the final Council Tax Base figure was invariably not a whole number.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Stevenage Borough Council for the year 2024/25 will be 29,088.5 equivalent “Band D” properties, reduced to 28,579.4 “Band D” properties after making allowance for a 98.25% collection rate.

2.          That the 2024/25 Council Tax Base be approved, subject to any changes made to the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2024/25, the Executive having approved the CTS Scheme at its meeting held on 20 September 2023 for recommendation to Council.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the proposed Council Tax Base for 2024/25.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Transformation, the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Housing Development advised that the report captured the taxbase for levying the 2024/25 Council Tax by all preceptors.  This included an estimate of new properties likely to liable for the charge, together with an assessment of discounts likely to be given.  The taxbase included the latest Council Tax Support Scheme that Members agreed at the Executive in September 2023.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Housing Development explained that the 2024/25 taxbase was estimated based upon there being 29,088.5 equivalent “Band D” properties, which was then reduced to 28,579.4 equivalent “Band D” properties after making allowances for a 98.25% collection rate.

In response to a Member’s question, the Strategic Director (CF) explained that the Council Tax Base had been calculated based on the number of properties as at October 2023, discounting those in receipt of Council Tax Support or Single Persons Discount, and converting the resultant figure to a Band D equivalent property.  This was why the final Council Tax Base figure was invariably not a whole number.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Stevenage Borough Council for the year 2024/25 will be 29,088.5 equivalent “Band D” properties, reduced to 28,579.4 “Band D” properties after making allowance for a 98.25% collection rate.

2.          That the 2024/25 Council Tax Base be approved, subject to any changes made to the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2024/25, the Executive having approved the CTS Scheme at its meeting held on 20 September 2023 for recommendation to Council.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.