Cabinet Decisions

The Council Tax base for the coming year is set by Thanet District Council and is used by Kent County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority and the various town and parish councils when setting their Council Tax and their precepts.

Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To approve the District's Council Tax Base for 2022-23 as 44,975.20 and the tax base for the towns and parishes in the Council’s administrative area, as set out in the table at Annex 2 to the cabinet report;

2.  That council tax discounts remain unchanged for 2022-23;

3.  That the “Long Term Empty Premium” for properties that have been left empty and substantially unfurnished:

?  for periods of 2 years but less than 5 years, a Long Term Empty Premium be charged at 100%; and

?  for periods of 5 years but less than 10 years, a Long Term Empty Premium be charged at 200%; and

?  for periods of 10 years or more a Long Term Empty Premium be charged at 300%;

4.  To determine not to revise the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022-23.

Cabinet were asked to agree the report and annexes including the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy, Capital Strategy and Non-Treasury Investments Report (TMSS) for 2022-23.

Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To approve this report and annexes, including each of the key elements listed below:

a.  The Capital Plans, Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2022-23 to 2024-25, including the Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator;

b.  The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy;

c.  The Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23 to 2024-25 and the Treasury Indicators;

d.  The Investment Strategy for 2022-23 contained in the Treasury Management Strategy, including the detailed criteria;

e.  The Capital Strategy for 2022-23;

f.  The Non-Treasury Investments Report for 2022-23

Cabinet were asked to consider the 2022-23 Housing Revenue Account budget and 2022-26 capital programme for the Housing Revenue Account.

Cabinet agreed the draft HRA Business Plan Strategic Priorities, as set out in paragraph 2.2 to the cabinet report. These are detailed below:

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan sets out the main strategic priorities for investment in homes and services over the long term. The draft strategic priorities, set out below, were prepared as part of the review of HRA budgets ready for the launch of the new in-house service on 1 October 2020 and subsequently were the subject of consultation with representatives of the council’s tenants and leaseholders. This report now recommends that these draft strategic priorities are adopted: 

?  To maintain a Housing Revenue Account that is self-financing and reflects both the requirements of residents and the strategic visions and priorities of the council. 

?  To provide opportunities for tenants and leaseholders to become involved in the management of their homes. 

?  To provide safe, well maintained and energy efficient homes. ? To invest in long-term improvements to the council’s housing stock and provide homes that people choose to live in. 

?  To increase the council’s housing stock through programmes of new build and refurbishment. 

?  To review the alternative options for homes that cannot be maintained to meet current and future standards. 

?  To maintain a rent and charging policy that is both affordable for residents and ensures the resources needed for investment in homes and services. 

?  To maintain a minimum level of HRA reserves of £1m