Agenda and minutes

To agree the Council’s procedure for remote meetings held during the

Coronavirus national emergency.

RESOLVED –

THAT the remote meeting procedures set out in the agenda be agreed.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ranjit Singh.

No declarations were made.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for six months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.’

Any other announcements

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair announced that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and could be viewed on the website for six months after the meeting.  After that time, webcasts were archived and could be made available upon request.  Those who had asked to address the meeting were deemed to be consenting to having their contributions recorded and broadcast and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

Order of business

The Committee agreed to take Item 8. Council Tax Support 2021/22 ahead of Item 7. Review of the Camden Medium Term Financial Strategy.

There were no deputations.

There was no such business.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

This report provides an update on:

·       The latest estimate of the financial pressure caused by the Covid-19 crisis, and proposals for addressing the financial impact for 2020/21

·       The funding support schemes announced by Government to date

·       The latest outlook for the Council’s funding and spending over the medium term, and the resulting funding gap

·       Recommended fees and charges for 2021/22

·       Key risks associated with the current and projected financial position

      and service provision

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

The Head of Finance (Corporate Services) introduced the report and, with the interim Director of Finance, made the following comments in response to Member questions:

·       In a recent announcement on the Spending Review, the government had said that support would be given to local authorities for lost council tax and business rates revenue. Details of the support that would be given was expected soon.

·       The funding gap of £39.7 million was a best estimate using the information that was available at the time.

·       The Fair Funding review had been put on hold, it was expected to be completed in 2022/2023.

·       Officers would bring a full report on council tax setting for 2021/2022.

·       The communication channels between Camden and central government were monthly returns on COVID-19 related spending and through lobbying efforts via London Councils.

·       The outcomes of the Renewal Commission and the Camden Plan would be central to any financial plan moving forward.

·       It was expected that there would be a drop in asset values; this was anticipated to recover by 2022.

·       This report was largely focused on the general fund, but there were financial pressures in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as well. Officers were looking at improving void turnaround time and the use of assets to help mitigate these pressures.

·       There was not an immediate plan to bring significant savings through staffing.

·       Largely, Camden had balanced their budget over the past five years and so there had not been a need to dip into general reserves.

·       Contributions to the reserve funds were made as part of the budget in any one year.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

This report considers the options for a Council Tax Support (CTS) for the year 2021/22.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because The Local Government Finance Act 2012 amends the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which sets out the requirement for the Council to agree a local council tax reduction scheme on an annual basis.

Camden’s Council Tax Support scheme was fundamentally reviewed in 2019 and a new scheme launched for working age households for 2020/21.  The changes meant it is one of the most generous Council Tax Support schemes in the country with income bands based on London Living Wage, ensuring that 17,561 households (including pensioners) in Camden receive 100% support and are not required to pay any Council Tax.  This is alongside other commitments such as providing an exemption to Council Tax for foster carers and young people leaving care.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Council has seen the number of claimants increase substantially this year as residents have experienced changes in income and circumstances.  This has led to a net increase in working age claims of 1552 between March and October 2020 at an additional cost of £2m.

With such significant changes to people’s employment and situations, it is proposed that the scheme remains the same for 2021/22 so that the Council can provide certainty for residents.  Income bands will however be uplifted in line with the new levels for London Living Wage.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation. The report was introduced by the Head of Benefits.

The Committee thanked the officers for the report that they commented was clear and comprehensive.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

There was no such business.