The agenda pack for the Full Council meeting on 18 December 2024 indicates that the Council will discuss a wide range of issues including waste services, the local transport plan and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. There will be several reports for noting, including the Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant, and three motions, one relating to fuel poverty. It is important to note that we do not know whether these items will be discussed, and we do not know whether any decisions will be made.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme

The agenda pack contains a report on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Exceptional Hardship Policy. This report explains that the Council is required by law to produce a Council Tax Reduction Scheme in advance of the coming financial year.

It recommends that the Council approves a number of changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. These include reducing the discount bands to 100%, 50%, 25% and 10%, introducing non-dependant deductions of £10.00 per week, limiting Council Tax charges to Band D equivalents and reducing the period for backdating a Council Tax Reduction claim to three calendar months.

It also recommends that the Council agrees to increase income bands in the scheme by 1.7%, which is the September 2024 rate of the Consumer Prices Index.

The report recommends that the Leader of the Council should write to the Minister for Local Government:

to make the case for Somerset Council’s Council Tax to be raised by more than the referendum limit, due to Exceptional Financial Support, low Council Tax base and rate, increasing demand, and taking into account Government’s requirement that plans be in place to protect vulnerable people.

It recommends that the Council notes:

that Officers have been asked to urgently investigate and report back on the potential to use the Household Support Fund to support those who may be affected by future changes to CTRS thresholds.

The report contains a draft of the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme for 2025/26.

The report also explains that the Council intends to move the funding of existing local provisions for providing Council Tax discounts to Care Leavers, Foster Carers and those subject to Special Guardianship Orders into the Exceptional Hardship Scheme. The report states that:

Specialist advisors have been consulted regarding the ability to amend the funding of these discounts. It has been confirmed that where the payments for these discounts are being provided through the EH scheme and not as a separate class within the CTR scheme itself, no consultation is required on this amendment.

Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship Policy

The agenda pack contains a report on the Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship Policy. This report explains that the policy allows for a discretionary payment of up to 100% per hereditament¹ per year in certain circumstances.

The report recommends that the policy be amended to prevent private schools from applying for relief. The report pack includes a copy of the proposed wording for that amendment:

‘The ratepayer must not fall within the definition of a Private School. For business rates purposes, ‘Private Schools’ are defined by HM Treasury as schools at which full time education is provided for pupils of compulsory school age where fees are payable.’

The report also recommends that the Council delegates authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer:

to make any additional amendments as necessary to ensure the wording aligns with that Act once such amendments come into force.

The report recommends that the Council approves reducing the percentage of relief awarded to the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector from 75% to 40%, and that Local Newspaper Relief be ended.

Report of the Leader of the Council

The report pack includes an indication that the Council will be asked to consider recommendations relating to the Local Authority Housing Fund. The text of the report is not included.

HRA Sewage Treatment Tank Replacements

The agenda pack contains a report on replacements for the sewage treatment tanks owned by the Housing Revenue Account. It explains that the Housing Revenue Account is receiving £1m of funding through the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund for delivering a reduction of 28.6 kg of phosphate from discharges into the Rivers Tone and Parrett catchment areas.

The Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund is a capital grant scheme, formerly known as the DLUHC Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, that is intended to help local authorities in England mitigate the impacts of nutrient pollution from new development on protected areas. The report explains that:

Without the use of MHCLG funding the cost for replacements will need to be borne by the HRA, tenants, leaseholders and private individuals who use the systems.

The report explains that the Housing Revenue Account owns and manages 20 Package Sewage Treatment Plants which serve rural properties. They explain that many of these properties are now privately owned but that the Council has an obligation to maintain the plants and that many of the plants are reaching the end of their lifespan.

It recommends that the Council approves:

the program of PSTP replacements where costs for the program are equal to or below the value of the LNMF funding received.

It also recommends that the Council approves:

a supplementary budget of £1m to the HRA Capital Programme, that will be fully funded by the MHCLG Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

Annual Report of the Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services

The agenda pack includes the Annual Report of the Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services. The report contains a summary of what the service has been doing over the past year, and recommends that:

The Council notes the progress made to address highways, transport and waste issues.

The report highlights a range of issues including:

• the completion of the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dual Carriageway Improvement
• securing funding for electric buses and charging infrastructure
• the development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for a number of Somerset towns
• working with stakeholders to develop the Council's Local Transport Plan, which will be put to the Council in early 2025.
• work to maintain the County's extensive rights of way network.
• implementing a new contract with Kier Transportation for Highway Maintenance, which has led to several innovations and efficiencies including the digitalisation of the process for the provision of drain jetting and CCTV reports.
• the impact of changes to waste legislation, including the introduction of separate disposal points for waste containing Persistent Organic Pollutants.
• the success of Recycle More, which has contributed towards a sustained positive change in waste arisings.

The report pack also contains a more detailed appendix to the report. It contains a table showing that road casualties in Somerset reached their highest level in ten years.

Supporting Somerset Farmers and Food Producers

The agenda pack includes a motion titled 'Supporting Somerset Farmers and Food Producers' that is proposed by Councillor David Woan and seconded by Councillor Oliver Patrick.

The motion says:

Somerset Council is committed to supporting Somerset’s farmers, along with Somerset-based food and drink producers; whether by engaging and working in partnership together, or being sympathetic to diversification opportunities, to help our farmers thrive, and adapt to market forces, new technologies, and the challenges of modern-day farming.

It also says that:

Somerset Council also pledges vocal opposition to any unfair and excessive interference from central government which in the view of Somerset Council, would diminish the role played by farmers in Somerset.

It expresses the Council's recognition of the benefits of local food and pledges to:

procure food as locally as possible, in line with our 2023 Local Food Procurement in the South West declaration.

It pledges to:

promote the presence and availability of local suppliers, including farm shops, to encourage people to buy local produce.

Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities

The agenda pack includes a motion titled 'Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities' that is proposed by Councillor Faye Purbrick and seconded by Councillor Lucy Trimnell.

The motion expresses the Council's concerns about proposed changes to inheritance tax, and says:

APR has been instrumental in allowing British family farms to remain intact across generations, supporting food security, sustaining rural communities, and aiding environmental stewardship.

It expresses the view that:

Labour’s proposed tax risks destabilising communities, eroding the rural way of life, and causing a negative ripple effect across the countryside and our communities.

The motion recommends that Somerset Council:

Declare opposition to the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms.

It also recommends that the Council:

Write to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and the DEFRA Secretary, along with all Somerset MPs, outlining our opposition to this tax change and the scale of the impact to Somerset and our rural economy.

It recommends that the Council:

Advocate through all available means for the continued APR exemption of family farms to preserve the UK's food security, our rural communities, and environmental initiatives.

It concludes:

Somerset Council urges all Councillors to stand with Britain’s family farms, to support our rural communities, enhance local food security, and to protect our environment by formally rejecting and calling for the reversal of the proposed “family farm tax.”

Food and Farming

The agenda pack includes a motion titled 'Food and Farming' that is proposed by Councillor Lucy Trimnell and seconded by Councillor Faye Purbrick. The motion expresses the view that Somerset’s farmers are essential to the local economy, food security and environment.

It recommends that Somerset Council:

Recognise and note the significant contribution made to our local economy and food supplies by our hard-working farmers, particularly our meat and dairy producers who account for the majority of Somerset farming produce.

It also recommends that the Council:

Strengthen our partnerships with arable, livestock, and dairy farmers to support and enhance Somerset’s iconic countryside and will seek to oppose unnecessary additional pressures such as the hike in employers National Insurance contributions and Inheritance Tax on farmers.

It recommends that the Council:

Make a commitment to support local farmers, growers, and the food and drink sector by ensuring, where possible, that food and beverages served at council-organised events are sourced from local suppliers. This will include meat and dairy, alongside fruit, vegetable and cereal products, reflecting the full diversity of Somerset's agricultural output.

It also recommends that the Council:

As part of Somerset Council’s efforts to address environmental priorities, the Council will explore ways to encourage residents to shop locally whenever possible. This will include promoting home-grown, affordable, and nutritious produce to reduce food miles, boost the local economy, and support our farming community.

Annual Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024/25

The agenda pack contains the Annual Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024/25, which recommends that the Council approves the mid-year borrowing and investment position.

The report contains a chart of the Council's external debt which shows that it increased from just under £700m in March 2023 to just over £900m in July 2024. It then decreased slightly to around £750m in September 2024.

The report also contains a chart of the Council's cash balances which shows a significant increase from just over £75m at the end of March 2024 to just under £300m at the end of June 2024. This decreased to around £125m in September 2024.

The report also contains a revised Flexible Capital Receipts Policy, which it recommends that the Council approves. The report pack contains a table of the Council's proposed capital spending, and states that:

At the time of the 2024/25 budget being approved, the following projects are proposed to be funded by the flexibility, subject to capital receipts being delivered. The values relate to both spend occurring in 2023/24 and expected in 2024/25.

The report shows that the Council's Improvement and Transformation Programme is expected to cost £15m in 2024/25 and that the Local Government Reorganisation is expected to cost £3.5m in 2024/25.

Chief Executive’s Pay Award 2024/25

The Human Resources Committee report recommends that the Council approve:

the award of a 2.5% pay increase to the Chief Executive for 2024/25.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer's report recommends that the Council approves the appointment of Councillor Steven Pugsley to the Scrutiny Committee - Corporate and Resources and to appoint him as Chair of the Committee, following the resignation of Councillor Bob Filmer.

It also provides information on Councillor Gill Slocombe, explaining that she has been granted a leave of absence. The report states that:

This decision cannot contain further information on this matter because of the disclosure of exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972 – Schedule 12A under the following categories:

1. Information relating to any individual.
2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

The Monitoring Officer's report also contains details on two by-elections that have taken place since the previous meeting. It explains that Councillor O’Donnell was elected to represent Rowbarton & Staplegrove division and Councillor Burt was elected to represent Blackmoor Vale division.

Review of Part B of the Council’s Constitution

The report of the Constitution and Governance Committee recommends that the Council approves changes to Part B of the Council’s Constitution. It explains that:

The timeframe for the retention of committee meeting recordings on the Council’s internal storage system (SharePoint) is being proposed at 12 months. This would allow for a suitable timeframe for any interested party to view the recording prior to its deletion. The minutes of the meeting will remain the legal record of the meeting as per the relevant legislation.

It also explains that the Council will continue to store committee meeting recordings on YouTube until such time as YouTube introduces a cost for doing so.

Report of the Five Scrutiny Committees

The agenda pack contains a report from the chairs of the Council's five scrutiny committees. It explains that each committee has a standing agenda item on its work programme which allows members to discuss and suggest topics for the committee's future agenda.

It recommends that the Council note the report, and that Part 6 of the Constitution, which contains the Scrutiny Terms of Reference be amended. The amendment relates to which bodies scrutiny committees can report to and recommends that the text be amended as follows:

1.17 REPORTING: A Scrutiny Committee can report and make recommendations to the Leader, the Executive or the Council, as appropriate, and to partner public bodies involved with Community Safety or the NHS. Each Committee reports annually to Full Council on its work, its future work programme and recommendations for improving the way it carries out its functions, if appropriate.

Summary of Key Decisions

The agenda pack includes a summary of key decisions taken since the previous Full Council meeting, including a decision by Councillor Tessa Munt, the Lead Member for Children, Families and Education on the Somerset Household Support Fund.

It also details a Key Decision Report on investment property disposals that was taken by the Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee.