To approve the council tax amounts for each category of dwelling in Herefordshire, including precepts from West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and Herefordshire parishes for the financial year 2020/21.

Council considered a report by the cabinet member finance and corporate services and the supplement containing the updated recommendations circulated on 28 February. The Chairman introduced a correction to the detail in the report: Cradley and Storridge Parish Council replaced reference to Cradley Parish Council.

The monitoring officer explained that there were no declarable interests for members by virtue of membership of the Council, the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority or local parish councils.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services moved the report and explained the careful consideration that had taken place across precepting authorities in determining precept levels for 2020/21. The support and assistance available to local residents experiencing financial difficulty was reiterated and the importance of keeping the thresholds for support under review. Parish councils had set precepts to ensure that budgets were sufficient to allow them to operate effectively and respond to challenges such as the recent flooding.

The principal points below were raised during the debate:

·         The proportionate increase for householders in Council Tax Bands E-H compared to bands A-D was raised. It was acknowledged that bands were set nationally and any revaluation of properties might cause additional problems.

·         A correction to the details in the appendices was raised, to ensure reference to Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

·         It was suggested that one of the objectives for the Market Towns Forum should be that value for money was provided through the precept. The Market Towns Forum was working with local communities to determine how services in localities could best meet local need.

·         The reduction in funding from central government was raised and the need for local councils to raise revenue at a local level to provide services for vulnerable residents.

·         The burden the increase in precepts represented to some local residents was outlined and the need to ensure value for money. A member expressed concern that precept increases above the rate of inflation may lead to the local authority being regarded as out of touch.

·         Community Asset Transfer and devolution to parish councils was raised. The role of parish councils to assume responsibility for local services could be facilitated through precepts.

The Leader seconded the report and explained that the Market Towns Forum had established an effective dialogue between the localities and the council. Recent flooding and the uncertainty concerning the coronavirus highlighted that the level of precept increase was prudent.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services closed the debate and explained that the vote was a technical exercise to set the overall council tax in the county.

A recorded vote was held to set the council tax and precepts for 2020/21, as contained in the published supplement, and was approved by a simple majority of the Council.

For: (49) Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Harrington, Harvey, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, Hunt, I’Anson, James, Jinman, Johnson, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Milln, Norman, Phillips, Price, Rone, Seldon, Shaw, Stark,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54