Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 16^th January, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

EXEMPT REPORT 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 IT CONTAINS 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as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation)(Wales) Order 2007 that the following item was not for publication as the report contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.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 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 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 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. 

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, 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 a report which contained a detailed schedule of Sundry Debtors, Non-Domestic Rates and Council tax 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 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 an application 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 that for application reference 60317791 the 50% empty property charge be waived for a period of 6 months immediately following expiry of the exemption period.