Issue - meetings

Report of Executive Director Finance and Governance

Purpose of report

To consider the proposed Local Discretionary Relief Policy and to approve the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council.

1.2       To approve the adoption of the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)          That the adoption of the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

The Executive Director Finance and Governance submitted a report to  consider the proposed Local Discretionary Relief Policy and to approve the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)          That the adoption of the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

Reasons

The Government expects billing authorities to use their discretionary powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act to deliver a scheme for Local Discretionary Business Rate Relief. Billing authorities will be compensated through a Section 31 grant for the cost to the authority of granting the relief, up to a maximum amount based on the authority’s allocation of the £300m fund.

Alternative options

Option 1: Members could choose not to recommend the proposed schemes but in view of the fact that expenditure will be reimbursed the Government expects billing authorities to grant relief to all qualifying ratepayers