Decision details

(Report of Management Team)

Further to Minute CB 16/35 the report, illustrated by a full presentation at the meeting, set out the findings of the detailed research into funding for parish councils as commissioned by the Cabinet on 11 February.  Attention was drawn to the key objectives of the review: to make savings in the Borough Council’s revenue budget and to promote ‘equity’ across the Borough in terms of how much residents of different areas had to pay towards the cost of services.  The comprehensive research paper annexed to the report suggested that a scheme of special expenses in place of the current Financial Arrangements with Parish Councils scheme would meet both of those objectives.  Reference was also made to a review of the current arrangements for passing on Council Tax Reduction Scheme grants to parish councils.

Consideration was given to the research findings and arrangements for commencing two consultations within the context of an updated timetable (including special meetings of Tonbridge Forum and Parish Partnership Panel on 12 and 18 May and an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet on 28 July 2016), together with agreement of delegations for all detailed aspects of the consultation programme.

The Cabinet thanked staff involved in all the work undertaken to date in the review.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)                                                    the updated timetable set out at paragraph 1.5.2 of the report be endorsed and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Transformation to set up any special meetings as required;

(2)                                                    the launch of a consultation with parish councils be endorsed regarding the potential cessation of grant funding in respect of  the Financial Arrangements with Parish Councils Scheme and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from the financial year 2017/18;

(3)                                                    the launch of a consultation with the public, parish councils and other relevant stakeholders be endorsed regarding the potential introduction of a Special Expenses Scheme with effect from the financial year 2017/18; and

(4)                                                    authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Transformation, in liaison with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to agree all detailed aspects of the consultation programmes and associated publicity materials.