Members were reminded that the Council Taxbase was used in the calculation of the Council Tax for 2015/16. The Taxbase was expressed as the average number of Band D properties in the Borough, even though each property would actually fall into a Band ranging from A to H.

The estimated Taxbase for 2015/16 was 31,155.6.

The Taxbases for Parish Councils would be lower due to the adjustment for Local Council Tax Support. In line with past years, the Council would provide a grant in order to ensure that the Taxbase for 2015/16 was unaffected.

Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Lloyd  SECONDED the recommendations in the report and following a full discussion it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Brentwood Borough Council as its Council Taxbase for the year 2015/16 is 31,155.6.

2.    To agree to make a grant to Parishes for 2015/16 totalling £18,944.49 to compensate them for the effect on their precept income of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

3.     To agree that the collection rate for Council Tax for 2015/16 is set at 98.00%.