Agenda item

The Treasurer submitted a comprehensive report to provide information to enable Charter Trustees to approve the appropriate budget requirements for 2012/13 and approve the basic level of council tax required.

The Treasurer circulated at the meeting a schedule with further options of Council Tax for consideration, a copy of which is attached. He advised Trustees that the current Council Tax level was currently set at £4.29 and that Trustees needed to consider having monies for 2013/14 as they could partially move into this period if a Town Council was established.

Trustees discussed training for current staff in preparation for the Town Council. It was felt that this should be left to the Town Council if established.

Trustees considered all the Council Tax options and discussed the possibility of any monies that would be left if a Town Council was established been split pro rata between the Town Council and the Parish Council’s in the former City of Durham District. It was noted that there was a possibility that not all areas of the former district would be parished. The Clerk advised Trustees that she had contacted the Boundary Commission on this matter and would advise Trustees of the outcome.

Councillor Southwell moved and Councillor Hopgood seconded Option 2 which would set a Council Tax level of £3.80.

Councillor Woods moved Option 4 which would set a Council Tax level of £3.60 and Councillor Wilkes moved Option 3 which would set a Council Tax level of £3.70. In the absence of a Seconder Trustees voted on Option 2 which was agreed.

Resolved: (i) That the budget requirement for 2012/13 be approved.

(ii) That the basic level of council tax at £3.80 be approved (Option 2).