Issue - meetings

An officer briefing note is attached.

On a motion from Councillor June Player, seconded by Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, it was

RESOLVED that

Council notes:

·  That landlords of rental properties currently pay income tax on the rental income and Capital Gains Tax on profit made at point of sale, but that this goes direct to central Government and is not passed on to Council.

·  That it is a genuine concern that the proliferation of student accommodation and student properties in parts of the authority mean that there are a large number of properties where no contribution is made by either the landlord or tenant to the Council services all residents receive.

·  That, if Business Rates were to be applied to student properties, the majority of small investors would pay little or nothing in Business Rates due to the fact that Small Business Rate Relief would apply.

Council resolves:

·  To refer the matter to the relevant PD&S panel for their study and consideration, together with any relevant officer reports, with the subject to be considered by PD&S as a matter of priority.

·  That the PD&S Panel, as part of their deliberations, is specifically asked to consider:

o  Ask that our two MP’s lobby the Government to fully compensate the Council for the Council Tax lost from student properties, recognising the tax the Government already receives from landlords of rental properties.

o  The possibility of asking Government to allow the owners/landlords of student accommodation to be charged Business Rates, including any advantages and disadvantages of such a move.

[Note; The above resolution was passed with 27 Councillors voting in favour, 25 against and 4 abstentions from Councillors Matthew Blankley, Marie Brewer, Francine Haeberling and Lorraine Morgan-Brinkhurst MBE.]