Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document
Meeting of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17/11/2003
COUNCIL TAX CONSULTATION
Summary & Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek this Committee’s views on the proposal to undertake a council tax consultation exercise in the future, for Waverley’s element of the charge.
Quality of Life Implications
Natural
Resource Use
Pollution
Prevention and Control
Biodiversity
and Nature
Local
Environment
Social
Inclusion
Safe, Healthy
and Active
Communities
Local
Economy
N/A
N/A
N/A
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
APPENDIX F
WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
CORPORATE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 17TH NOVEMBER 2003
Title
:
COUNCIL TAX CONSULTATION
[Wards Affected: N/A]
Summary and Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek this Committee’s views on the proposal to undertake a council tax consultation exercise in the future, for Waverley’s element of the charge.
Quality of life implications
– social, environmental & economic (sustainable development):
Natural Resource Use
Pollution Prevention and Control
Biodiversity and Nature
Local Environment
Social Inclusion
Safe, Healthy and Active Communities
Local Economy
N/A
N/A
N/A
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
E-Government implications
:
The consultation exercise will, wherever possible, use electronic collection, analysis and publication of data
.
Resource and legal implications
:
There are no specific legal implications as a result of this report. There are likely to be resource implications in terms of staff time and costs of employing specialist consultation services. These resources will be calculated when the format and timing of any consultation exercise has been agreed.
Introduction and Background
1. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued the report “Council Tax Consultation – Guidelines for Local Authorities” in June 2002. It draws on the experience of councils in consulting local people over council tax and budget issues. Its premise is that, just as councils are ‘market leaders’ in consultation in general, this should be extended to consultation over local budget issues. The report argues that this should be achieved in a more strategic and comprehensive manner, bearing in mind local circumstances.
The report also points out that
·
There is a public expectation to be consulted
·
Consultation doesn’t remove member responsibility to make the final judgement on spending and council tax decisions
·
Consultation provides information on priorities
·
It indicates how far people are prepared to fund public services
2. Public Consultation on Budgets is not new to Waverley. The Council has consulted on 3 previous occasions:
·
The Community’s perception of the relative importance of the proposed capital schemes - October 1994
·
Waverley Borough Council Revenue Budget for 1996/97 – January 1996
·
Waverley Borough Council Budget Proposals for 1998/99 – December 1997.
Capital Schemes 1994
3. This exercise was managed by Council staff. It sought the views from 800 residents and achieved a 43% response rate. It showed at the time a strong support for spending on public conveniences, children’s play areas with less importance on recreation ground pavilions.
Budget 1996/97
4. This exercise was carried out by SSMR, part of the University of Surrey. It sought the views from 2065 residents achieving a 41% response rate. The response gave an indication where Council spending should be increased/decreased. Residents supported increased spending for day centres, village halls, CABX, meals on wheels, voluntary welfare organisations and waste recycling. Reduced spending was supported on arts and museums, planning application services and building regulations/enforcement.
·
On council tax levels 63% said they would prefer no change in council tax levels.
·
On car parking charges 70% of respondents favoured charges remaining at the present level.
Budget 1998/99
5. This exercise was again carried out by SSMR, 2105 residents views were sought with a response rate of 25% achieved. There was a huge degree of support for retaining spending on all services at present levels. Increased spending was supported for care for the elderly, facilities for young people and waste recycling. Least support continued to be given to arts schemes and planning application services.
·
On car parking, more people supported a reduction in charges.
·
Over two thirds of respondents wanted to see council tax stay at current levels.
.
Conclusion
6. Waverley’s experience on consultation mirrors that of most councils. Whilst it is difficult, relatively expensive and time consuming it can produce valuable information in the debate on future council tax levels. The views of this Committee will be reported to the Executive on 2nd December 2003 when it will give further consideration to how and when any exercise should be undertaken.
7. Given current workloads, timescales and lack of clarity surrounding the Local Government Bill, it is felt that a formal council tax consultation exercise would not be possible for 2004/05. However, with an expectation from Government that councils will consult, an increasing pressure from the public on council tax levels and pressures to spend on services, the Council needs to consider whether it should consult on its council tax levels in the future.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Committee inform the Executive of its views on whether further work should be undertaken in preparation for council tax consultation in the future.
Background Papers
(DoF)
There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.
CONTACT OFFICER
:
Name:
Paul Wenham
Telephone:
01483 523238
E-mail:
pwenham@waverley.gov.uk
Comms/o&s1/2003-04/025