Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 8^th September, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 21^st September, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

EXEMPT REPORTS IN PURSUANT OF PARAGRAPH 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12(A) TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972, AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007 AS THEY CONTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL OR BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF ANY PARTICULAR PERSON (INCLUDING THE AUTHORITY HOLDING THAT INFORMATION).

RESOLVED pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation)(Wales) Order 2007 that the following items were not for publication as the reports contained exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 14  and 17 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 5 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report included personal data relating to former council tenants, including details of their rent arrears.  The publication of individual debts was unwarranted and would prejudice the rights and freedoms of the relevant data subjects.  Accordingly, the public interest in disclosure was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report prepared in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules, seeking the write-off of former tenant debts in excess of £1,500. The report provided the current position on former tenant debt who used to occupy a property let through the Councils Social Lettings Agency

The Executive Board Member noted that the cases outlined in the report were long-standing cases and that attempts had been made to trace the former tenant and recover sum outstanding, both of which had been unsuccessful.

The Executive Board Member requested that future reports include more detailed information in relation to the background of each case.

RESOLVED that the former tenant debt arrears detailed within the report be written-off as irrecoverable.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act). 

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained information regarding individuals that were liable to pay Council Tax.  Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, it would release confidential financial information that was not in the public domain and would not normally be disclosed to third parties.  On balance, therefore, the public interest in disclosure at this time was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report detailing applications which had been received for discretionary reduction of Council Tax. 

It was noted that regulations had been introduced with effect from April 2004 giving Local Authorities discretionary powers to grant locally determined Council Tax discounts or reductions, over and above existing statutory reductions. 

RESOLVED

5.1 that application reference number 40036972 be refused but a lower monthly repayment of £150 to be offered to the applicant;

5.2 that application reference numbers 60305884 and 40032658 be refused;

5.3 that for application reference number 60317791, 50% of the empty property charge be waived.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 5 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act). 

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained information regarding the individual ratepayers’ recent financial history and/or personal information.  Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, it would release confidential financial information.  On balance, therefore, the public interest in disclosure at this time was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board member considered applications for hardship Relief under the provisions of Section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 as amended.

RESOLVED that:

6.1       application reference number 80022038 be waived 50% of the
            retrospective charge;

6.2       application reference number 80020537 be waived 50% of the charge for 2016/17 and the current year;

6.3       application reference number 80020974 be refused.