10 2018/19 BUDGET AND 2018/19 - 2020/21 FINANCIAL STRATEGY PDF 138 KB
To submit
the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance
(attached).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for
Finance submitted:
·
A report recommending a budget for the Council's approval for 2018/19
·
A medium term plan to cope with the financial deficit 2018/19 - 2020/21.
·
The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's
recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 4.8%), along with tables
showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community.
He thanked all the staff of the Finance Department,
under the leadership of the Head of Finance Department, for their thorough work
throughout the year in preparing and leading the Council towards establishing a
balanced budget.
During the discussion the following matters were
raised:
·
Concern about the under-funding as a result of the Barnett Formula and
the need to increase the pressure being but on Welsh Government o have a better financial settlement for Gwynedd. It was noted that the current situation was
unsustainable and it was suggested that this Council should send a letter to
Welsh Government to call for a review of the tax system in its entirety. It was
also suggested that, in addition to the continuous lobbying by the Leader,
Cabinet Members, the Chief Executive and the Head of Finance Department, it
would be beneficial to send a delegation of councillors down to Cardiff to meet
the Minister. All members were also encouraged to apply pressure on their
Assembly Members.
·
The fact that an increase of only 0.6% in the Government Grant had been
received for 2018/19, although Welsh Government had received a 2.6% grant
increase by Westminster Government, and the need to make it clear to the
taxpayers that the Council would not have to increase the Council Tax if it had
received a sufficient grant from Welsh Government.
·
Concern about the Government's method of funding education by giving with
one hand and taking away with the other, and the lack of consistency between
the Minister's messages and what was happening on the ground.
·
The need to put all Gwynedd residents at the centre of every Council
service despite the difficult climate.
·
Concern that people
found it increasingly difficult to pay the Council Tax and reference was made
specifically to the people who were slightly above the threshold to claim
Council Tax Support.
·
Concern that more and more holiday home owners would transfer to business
rates in order to avoid the Council Tax Premium on their houses.
·
Concern about the impact of the Council Tax Premium on people who were
attempting to sell houses inherited by them as a result of a family member's
death.
·
A revenue bid to appoint two additional Council Tax inspectors - it was
confirmed that the Head of Finance Department would not receive any additional
funding for the responsibility of this new task, but that the taxation officer
who would be undertaking additional supervision duties would receive a very small
increase to reflect this.
· The need for the Council to look at alternatives ways to increase income, e.g. by charging a fee for services on caravan ... view the full minutes text for item 10
10. 2018/19 BUDGET AND 2018/19 - 2020/21 FINANCIAL STRATEGY PDF 138 KB
To submit
the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance
(attached).
Additional documents: