Agenda and decisions
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Cabinet Member Introduction To welcome the public and introduce all participants. Additional documents: Decision: Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, welcomed the public to the meeting and asked the responsible officer and other officers present to introduce themselves. The Cabinet Member for Finance confirmed that the purpose of the meeting was to consider two reports: 1. An application for a Section 13A Council Tax Discount 2. Three new applications and thirteen renewal applications for Discretionary Rate Relief submitted under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 for the financial years 2026/2027.
It was noted that, in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public would be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the second decision on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 as per of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, but that a public summary of the decision would be published following determination of the matter.
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DECISION ONE: APPLICATION FOR A SECTION 13A COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT The purpose of this report is for the Cabinet Member for Finance to consider an application submitted to the Council for a discretionary Council Tax discount under Section 13A.
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest by the Cabinet Member or any officers present. Additional documents: Decision: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Officer overview of the Application for a Section 13A Council Tax Discount report The purpose of this report is for the Cabinet Member for Finance to consider an application submitted to the Council for a discretionary Council Tax discount under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).
Additional documents: Decision: The Head of Environment Protection, Revenues & Benefits introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Member for Finance to consider an application for Discretionary Council Tax discount submitted under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.
The application related to the applicant’s former address, which had been vacated in September 2023. During the relevant period, the applicant had been financially supported by their elderly parents. Although the applicant may have been eligible for Council Tax Support and other welfare benefits at the time, no claims had been made due to mental health and related medical issues.
The applicant was currently in receipt of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment at their present address and was in receipt of full Council Tax Support. It had been advised that the applicant was unable to increase their income due to ongoing health conditions.
An income and expenditure assessment indicated a marginal surplus; however, this was not considered sufficient to absorb unforeseen or additional essential expenditure. The applicant had no savings available to meet the outstanding liability. A payment of £8.44 had been made towards the Council Tax arrears, leaving a remaining balance of £632.98.
The case was presented for consideration under the Council’s discretionary powers to determine whether further relief should be granted in respect of the outstanding arrears. |
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Confirmation of Comments To confirm any additional comments received since publication of the agenda. Additional documents: Decision: No additional comments had been received since the publication of the agenda. |
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Public Questions The Cabinet Member may invite public contributions or representations verbally at the meeting from members of the public present. Questions must relate directly to the decision. If a question is asked which in the view of the Cabinet Member is not relevant to the decision the member of the public will be advised where to direct their question. Additional documents: Decision: There were no public questions. |
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Cabinet Member Questions Cabinet Member to ask for any clarifications regarding the report and the decision which is required, including any alternative options which might be considered. Additional documents: Decision: The Cabinet Member for Finance sought clarification on whether the applicant continued to reside within the Council’s district, which was confirmed by officers.
Further clarification was requested regarding the period of Council Tax liability, with the Cabinet Member noting that the arrears appeared to relate to the period prior to April 2024, specifically referencing the 2023/24 charge of £641.42.
The Cabinet Member also queried whether the applicant was currently able to meet ongoing Council Tax liabilities. The Lead officer confirmed that the applicant was in receipt of full Local Council Tax Support and had limited income, with no surplus available to address the outstanding debt.
The Cabinet Member noted the options available to the decision-maker under the report—namely the award of a full discount, partial discount, or no discount—and expressed thanks to officers for the clarity and completeness of the report, noting that the level of detail provided was appropriate while maintaining necessary confidentiality. |
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Decision The Cabinet Member will verbally confirm the decision, stating whether 1. they accept the recommendations of the officer; 2. they decide to take a different decision contrary to the officer’s recommendation; 3. or whether to refer the decision to a meeting of Cabinet.
The Cabinet Member then must inform the Democratic Services officer present of the reason for the decision which will be formally recorded on the decision notice.
Additional documents: Decision: The Cabinet Member confirmed that, having taken into account the information contained within the report and the responses provided to questions raised, they were satisfied they were in a position to make a decision.
It was stated that, in reaching the decision, all relevant factors had been taken into account, including the particular circumstances and needs of the individual concerned and the very limited prospect of the applicant being able to obtain any further significant funds to contribute towards the outstanding debt.
The Cabinet Member declared that he accepted the recommendations of the officer and APPROVED the application for Discretionary Council Tax Discount as submitted in the report. |
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DECISION TWO: APPLICATIONS FOR DISCRETIONARY RATE RELIEF Additional documents: |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest by the Cabinet Member or any officers present.
Additional documents: Decision: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Officer Overview of the Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief To consider three new applications and thirteen renewal applications for Discretionary Rate Relief submitted under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 for the financial years 2026/2027.
Additional documents: Decision: Before moving into private session to discuss the details the officer outlined the applications for discretionary rate relief which had been made. It was noted that the applications concerned the following wards: St. Michaels, Bourton Vale, Bourton Village, Watermoor, Ermin, Moreton West, Lechlade, Kempsford and Fairford South, Kemble, and Fairford North.
The Cabinet Member for Finance was asked to determine three new applications and thirteen renewal applications for Discretionary Rate Relief submitted under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 for the financial years 2026/2027. It was stated that the applications concerned the following entities: 1. Headspace 2. GWAS Ambulance 3. Bourton Gymnastics Club Ltd 4. Palmer Hall Management 5. Churn Project 6. Cirencester Opportunity Group 7. New Brewery Arts Ltd 8. Bourton-on-the-Hill Old School Village Hall 9. Lechlade Library Ltd 10. North Cotswold Foodbank 11. Heart Safe Clinical Academy 12. The Village Committee 13. Trustees Old School Committee 14. Cirencester Citizens Advice The officer recommended that the Cabinet Member for Finance approve the proposed Discretionary Rate Relief applications because the entities were carrying out activities which either support the Council’s priorities or had provided evidence of financial circumstances which met the criteria to justify an award.
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Confirmation of Comments To confirm any additional comments received since publication of the agenda. Additional documents: Decision: No additional comments had been received since the publication of the agenda. |
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Matters Exempt from Publication If the Cabinet Member wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
The Cabinet Member may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Recommendation That, in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 12 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 as per of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972
Additional documents: Decision: The Cabinet Member confirmed that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, I move that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act. The meeting then moved into private session. |
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Exempt Annex A : Details of Discretionary Rates Relief Applications (Exempt) Annex A to Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief report This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as it contains information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information. The Annex A to the report is therefore not for publication in accordance with Regulation 12 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. A public summary of the decision will be published following determination of the matter.
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Cabinet Member Questions Cabinet Member to ask for any clarifications regarding the report and the decision which is required, including any alternative options which might be considered.
Additional documents: Decision: There were no Member questions for clarification. |
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Decision The Cabinet Member will verbally confirm the decision, stating whether 1. they accept the recommendations of the officer; 2. they decide to take a different decision contrary to the officer’s recommendation; 3. or whether to refer the decision to a meeting of Cabinet.
The Cabinet Member then must inform the Democratic Services officer present of the reason for the decision which will be formally recorded on the decision notice.
Additional documents: Decision: The Cabinet Member stated that, having considered all the evidence presented, they accepted the recommendations of the officer and APPROVED the three new applications and thirteen renewal applications for Discretionary Rate Relief in relation to business rates liabilities for the 2026/27 financial year.
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