Submitted by Councillor Richard Toon
TOWNS AGAINST TAX DODGING The council notes:
· It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year - enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.
· The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
· The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.
· Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.
This council believes:
· As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.
· Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the government tackling tax dodging.
· All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.
· The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.
This council resolves:
- To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:
“While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living, some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies, in developing countries and the UK.”
A second Notice of Motion has been submitted by Councillor Greg Morgan
Chorley Borough Council is concerned at the failure of Lancashire County Council to provide appropriate support to the Fleet Street Extra care Scheme.
The report that was presented to Council on 19th may outlined the care scheme proposal and recommended that approval in principle be given to Option 3 of the scheme which had been subject to the development of a full business case. Funding for the scheme was to come from CBC, LCC and the Homes and Communities Agency and all 3 partners were aware of, and briefed on, the scheme. Given the obvious benefits that the scheme held for the residents of Chorley it carried the full support of all councillors.
Subsequently LCC has withdrawn their specific funding commitment and are currently unwilling to place a figure on whatever support they may eventually choose to offer. This withdrawal obliged CBC to submit a bid to the HCA containing finance proposals that they find unattractive, thus jeopardising the entire scheme.
The Council will therefore write to the LCC requesting urgent clarification of their position together with a firm commitment to the provision of the funds that had previously been agreed in principle.
Minutes:
1. TOWNS AGAINST TAX DODGING
Councillor Richard Toon submitted the following motion, seconded by Councillor Gordon France
· It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year - enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.
· The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
· The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.
· Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.
This Council believes:
· As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.
· Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the government tackling tax dodging.
· All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.
· The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.
This Council resolves:
To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:
“While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living, some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies, in developing countries and the UK.”
Following debate, it was RESOLVED – that the motion be supported.
2. LCC and FLEET STREET EXTRA CARE SCHEME
Councillor Greg Morgan submitted the following motion, seconded by Councillor Paul Leadbetter.
“Chorley Borough Council is concerned at the failure of Lancashire County Council to provide appropriate support to the Fleet Street Extra Care Scheme.
The report that was presented to Council on 19th May outlined the care scheme proposal and recommended that approval in principle be given to Option 3 of the scheme which had been subject to the development of a full business case. Funding for the scheme was to come from CBC, LCC and the Homes and Communities Agency and all 3 partners were aware of, and briefed on, the scheme. Given the obvious benefits that the scheme held for the residents of Chorley it carried the full support of all councillors.
Subsequently LCC has withdrawn their specific funding commitment and are currently unwilling to place a figure on whatever support they may eventually choose to offer. This withdrawal obliged CBC to submit a bid to the HCA containing finance proposals that they find unattractive, thus jeopardising the entire scheme.
The Council will therefore write to the LCC requesting urgent clarification of their position together with a firm commitment to the provision of the funds that had previously been agreed in principle”
Following debate, the Executive Leader expressed support for some aspects of the motion but proposed alternative wording in the third and fourth paragraphs as follows:
“Chorley Borough Council is concerned at the failure of Lancashire County Council to provide appropriate support to the Fleet Street Extra Care Scheme.
The report that was presented to Council on 19th May outlined the care
scheme proposal and recommended that approval in principle be given
to Option 3 of the scheme which had been subject to the development
of a full business case. Funding for the scheme was to come from CBC, LCC and the Homes and Communities Agency and all 3 partners were aware of, and briefed on, the scheme. Given the obvious benefits that the scheme held for the residents of Chorley it carried the full support of all councillors.
Subsequently LCC has withheld their specific funding commitment and are currently reviewing the amount of support they may eventually choose to offer.This withdrawal obliged CBC to submit a bid to the HCA containing finance proposals that may be more difficult to support.
The Council supports the Executive Member in his efforts to get LCC to review their position and to secure a firm commitment to the provision of the funds that had previously been agreed in principle.”
RESOLVED – that the motion, as amended, be supported