Issue - meetings

Business Rate Relief - Outcome of Consultation

Meeting: 17/01/2017 - Cabinet (Item 5)

Additional documents:

Business Rate Relief - Addendum Report, item 5 PDF 32 KB

Minutes:

Background:

This report provided details of the outcome of consultation on the options for a revised set of guidelines for the award of discretionary relief from National Non-Domestic (Business) Rates for charities and other non-profit making organisations. The report noted that Cabinet on 6 September 2016 had authorised officers to consult on three options, including the Cabinet’s preferred option (option 2) (decision no. 107/2016).

The consultation took place for a period of 12 weeks between 15 September and 7 December 2016, details of which were set out in paragraph 7 and Appendix 4 to the report.

The Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this matter on 5 January 2017 and its comments were set out in an addendum report. It was noted that representatives of charities, not for profit making organisations and community amateur sports clubs had been invited to attend the meeting to make representations about the options under consideration.

During discussion the Portfolio Holder for Business Management highlighted that the Cabinet’s preferred option (option 2) would secure the continued provision of £8 million of relief to organisations supporting vulnerable groups, whilst realising £200,000 savings. In addition, the Portfolio Holder highlighted the process that would be put in place to enable affected organisations to request a review of the determination of their Business Rate liability.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken, as set out in Appendix 5 to the report, and as detailed in paragraph 7.4 of the report.

Decision number:	Decision:
	The Cabinet noted the outcomes of the consultation requested by Cabinet and the analysis of the consultation as set out in paragraph 7 of the report and Appendix 4 to the report.
	The Cabinet noted the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the additional information as set out in the Addendum Report.
163/2017	The Cabinet agreed the implementation of Option 2, as set out in paragraph 4.1.2 of the report.
164/2017	The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Legal Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, to undertake a review of the relevant legislation and existing Council policies and processes for reviews of decisions on Discretionary Rate Relief taken by officers to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place from 1 April 2017 and, subject to the advice of the Chief Legal Officer following this piece of work, that the Discretionary Rate Relief (and other reliefs specified in paragraph 5.4 of the report) decision making arrangements should conclude with a final review by the Chief Finance Officer.

Reasons:

A new scheme must be implemented from 1 April 2017.