Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 7^th July 2016 be signed as a correct record.

FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER MAY CONSIDER THAT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPHS 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007.

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as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation)(Wales) Order 2007 that the following items were not for publication as the reports contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.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 4 above not to publicise he 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 Financial Procedure Rules seeking the write-off of former tenant debts in excess of £1,500.  The Former Tenant Arrears Policy clearly detailed the criteria which needed to be met when determining whether it was uneconomical to pursue a former tenant debt any further.

The Executive Board Member considered a schedule of cases for write-off, all of which met the requirements of the policy.

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 about individuals’ indebtedness and/or personal information. Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, itwould 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 a report detailing Housing Benefit overpayment accounts which had been identified as being irrecoverable. Recovery procedures, where appropriate, had been exhausted and there was no likelihood of payment being secured. It was therefore considered appropriate to write off those accounts.

RESOLVED that the accounts 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 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 four applications for Hardship Relief under the provisions of Section 49 of Local Government Finance Act 1988 as amended.

RESOLVED

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