Agenda item

There will be a presentation at the meeting, the slides are attached.

The Head of Corporate Finance, Gary Adams introduced the report and gave a presentation to the Panel on the following:

·  Introduction

·  Background Information – Westminster Council Model

·  Comparison of Number of Dwellings by C Tax Band

·  Council Tax Band and Charges Comparison

·  PDS Discussion Points –

1) Scope

2) Management

3) Utilisation

4) Engagement

·  Next Steps and Reporting back to Council

The officer explained that following a discussion at Council of a motion from the Labour Group on Community Contribution Funds it was decided: To agree in principle to introduce a Community Contribution Fund from 2021/22, but to ask the Corporate Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel to consider and report back to Council with recommendations on how it might work in practice including: a. Whether to adopt an inclusive approach inviting all Council Taxpayers to contribute or whether it should be limited to those in Band H; b. The vehicle for managing any new Community Contribution Fund; c. The mechanism for identifying local priorities for support; and d. The means of consulting with residents on the introduction of any such Fund.

Panel members discussed the points in the Council motion:

There was some discussion around the example CCF’s in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.

Panel members discussed how the CCF could be managed, some felt that the scheme could be run as part of the Council Tax process while others felt that an independent charity could be set up to administer the scheme.

Panel members were keen to avoid ward based projects (concentrated in wealthier areas) and agreed that projects should be generic. There was some concern around how contributions to a CCF might affect support for other charities.

Panel members stated that the scheme must have safeguards for vulnerable people – it must be very clear that it is voluntary.

There was some discussion around whether projects should cover services that had been provided by the Council previously, but had been reduced.

Panel members discussed the possible ‘Criteria Panel’ and agreed that it should consist of a political and geographical spread of members where possible and also a representation of urban and rural wards.

There was some discussion around consultation – it was felt that for a one-year trial of a voluntary scheme, effective promotion was needed and the consultation would come after the trial.

The Panel RESOLVED to report back to Council with the following recommendations on how a Community Contribution Fund might work in practice:

Scope

·  Panel members agree in principle to the setting up of a CCF. They felt that an inclusive approach should be adopted (rather than limiting to band B and H) so the scheme would be open to all residents/businesses/organisations whilst being very clear that it was a voluntary scheme.

Management

·  Panel members recommended a trial period of one year where the CCF would be administered within the existing Council Tax system (after which there is the option to carry on using the council or establish a charity).

·  Users would have the option to tick a box to make a contribution. Three ‘Criteria Areas’ (theme area projects) would be set out on the form so that people know what they would be contributing to (similar to a Supermarket green token scheme). The ‘Criteria Areas’ would be reviewed at the end of the first year’s trial.

·  Group Leaders to discuss and propose to Council the creation  and composition of a CCF body (CCF Panel) which will set the Criteria Areas and decide on the use of funds based on funding applications. Panel membership to include a political and geographical spread where possible as well as drawing on skills and experience relating to the Criteria Areas.

Utilisation

·  The CCF Panel to select and agree the three Criteria Areas that the CCF could contribute to.

·  The following areas were discussed – Youth Services, Libraries, Assisting Lonely People, Rough Sleepers and Parks. Panel members had concerns about whether reduced Council services should be funded through the CCF. It but it was agreed that these should not be ward based but generic projects.

 Engagement

·  As the scheme would initially be for a trial period (and also voluntary), consultation could be done at the end of the one year trial to take on board the results and also endeavour to engage with Parish and Town Councils and the Bath Forum.

·  The Corporate Panel agreed that the scheme should be well promoted by good communications.