Issue - meetings

Discretionary Rate Relief

Meeting: 08/03/2016 - Cabinet (Item 12)

Minutes:

Background:

This report reviewed the current procedures for granting discretionary relief from National Non-Domestic (Business) Rates for charities and other non-profit making organisations.

It was explained that the current policy for the determination of awards of relief and the guidelines that underpin such awards was agreed in 2013 and a copy was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The report gave details of the relief provided.

Members were also advised of the notice period required before any revocation or variation could take effect. It was explained that by announcing before 31 March 2016 that the current guidelines for awarding relief were to be ended on 31 March 2017, Members and officers could pursue a more detailed review of the policy for awarding relief, which could be announced in the new financial year.

Decision number:	Decision:
44/2016	The Cabinet agreed to rescind the existing guidelines with effect from 31 March 2017 and instructed officers to notify relevant organisations by 31 March 2016.
45/2016	The Cabinet agreed to receive a further paper in the new financial year proposing a revised set of guidelines to be implemented from 1 April 2017.

Reasons:

Relief from business rates where appropriate is a crucial factor in the survival of many voluntary organisations that support the educational, cultural and economic wellbeing of the Medway area.

By cancelling the existing guidelines, organisations will have sufficient notice of upcoming changes whilst delaying the new guidelines until the start of the new financial year will ensure sufficient time is available to create an equitable and affordable policy for the award of such relief from 1 April 2017.