Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Finance

Summary

Section 49 of The Local Government Finance Act 1988 gives the Council

discretionary power to reduce or remit business rates on the grounds of hardship. The purpose of this report is to agree an up to date policy which sets guidelines for considering applications and to give delegated authority to award relief. It is important that we ensure that all ratepayers making applications for this relief are treated in a fair, consistent and equitable manner.

The report outlines the :

·        Legislation requirements of the award of hardship relief

·        Criteria for hardship relief

Financial implications of awarding hardship relief

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the hardship discount scheme outlined in this report

(2)               To approve the proposed Hardship Relief policy framework to be adopted forthwith and be reviewed on an annual basis. (Appendix 1)

Recommendations Approved

The Head of Finance submitted a report to agree an up to date policy which sets guidelines for considering applications and to give authority to award relief. It was noted that an incorrect version had been circulated with the agenda pack and the correct version had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Resolved

(1)               That the hardship discount scheme be noted

(2)               That the proposed Hardship Relief policy framework as set out in annex 2 to the minutes (as set out in the minute book) be adopted and reviewed on an annual basis.

Reasons

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 and associated Regulations gives the Council a discretionary power to award rate relief including that of Section 49 hardship rate relief in respect on the National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR). The NNDR is also referred to as “business rates”.  The Council has 4,409 NNDR payers with a net collectable debit of £64,728,413.

Options