Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services outlining spending variations

Received report and noted the spending variations contained therein and requested that representations be made to the Local Government Association over the adverse effects of empty property rating with a request that the Association lobby the Government for its removal.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing expected budgetary variations in the current year in addition to those already identified and reported to Cabinet at its meeting held on 17th July 2008 (Minute No 08/44).

Having drawn attention to a summary of income collected and amounts written off during April to September 2008, Councillor T V Rogers, as Executive Councillor for Finance and Environment referred to the difficulties presented by the increasing level of fuel and utility costs and the current economic downturn. In particular, he expressed concern over the impact of the recent introduction of empty property rating on local business interest and commercial concerns.  Under the circumstances, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the report be received and spending variations noted; and

(b)  that representations be made to the Local Government Association over the adverse effects of the empty property rating with a request that the Association lobby the Government for its removal.