Issue - decisions

DISCRETIONARY BUSINESS RATE RELIEF SCHEMES FOLLOWING REVALUATION.

Decision of:

Councillor Robertson, Executive Councillor for  Finance and Resources

Reference:

17/URGENCY/SR/6

Date of decision:           

1 September 2017

Recorded on: 

1 September 2017

Decision Type:

Key Decision

Matter for Decision:

Discretionary Business Rate Relief Schemes following Revaluation.

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

These schemes had to be adopted as an urgent decision so that awards could be determined as soon as possible

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

A)  Agreed to provide a discretionary relief scheme outlined in the officers’ report for ratepayers who apply and meet the qualifying criteria.

B)  Agreed to delegate the decision relating to the distribution of the reduced funding in years 2-4 provided by Government  to the Head of Revenues and Benefits,  which will be allocated to qualifying ratepayers but reduced proportionately in line with the funding provided by Government

C)  Agreed that the Council would utilise its powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to provide relief to qualifying public houses and Small Businesses under the terms of the relief introduced by Government in the Spring Budget of 2017.

Reasons for the decision:

To adopt the powers to grant this relief and to set out guidance for the award of discretionary business rate relief to support businesses which have had significant increase in liability from the Government’s revaluation 2017.

Scrutiny consideration:

The Chair and Spokesperson of Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.

Report:

A report detailing the background and financial considerations is attached and associated papers.

Conflicts of interest:

None

Comments:

This urgent decision will be reported back to the next Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.