Decision Maker: Cabinet
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
To agree the Council tax base
Agreed to reducing the time before charging a Council Tax Premium to long-term empty homes (dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished), from 2 years to 12 months.
Noted the agreement at Council on 31st January 2024 of a 100% council tax premium on Class A & Class B dwellings second homes in the borough, which will take effect from 1 April 2025.
Noted that proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme, being considered by Cabinet on 29 January 2025 for recommendation to Council, are included in the tax base calculations.
Recommended Council to
Agree a council tax base for the whole authority area for 2025/26 of 91,088.88 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.
Agree an additional council tax base for the Gloucester Circus Garden Square area of the authority for 2025/26 of 100.16.
Agree a continuance in 2025/26 of a council tax premium of 100% in respect of long-term empty dwellings for dwellings empty for between 1 and 5 years.
Agree a continuance in 2025/26 of a council tax premium of 200% in respect of long-term empty dwellings, for dwellings empty between 5 and 10 years.
Agree a continuance in 2025/26 of the council tax discount of 0% on Class C & D dwellings (empty homes).
Agree a continuance in 2025/26 of a council tax discount of 100% in respect of Royal Borough of Greenwich foster carers & shared lives households in the borough.
Note that the council tax base relevant to the Southern Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2025/26 is 9,218.50
Note that the council tax base relevant to the Thames Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2025/26 is 81,870.38
Report author: Hitesh Jolapara
Publication date: 29/01/2025
Date of decision: 29/01/2025
Decided at meeting: 29/01/2025 - Cabinet
Effective from: 05/02/2025
Accompanying Documents: