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Council and councillors

Issue - decisions

DISCRETIONARY REVALUATION RATE RELIEF POLICY

03/04/2019 - DISCRETIONARY REVALUATION RATE RELIEF POLICY

Report No. 97/2017 from the Director for Resources was received.

 

Mr Della Rocca, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to advise Members about the additional rate reliefs that central government was putting in place to support rate payers who had been most affected by the revaluation; to outline of the Councils Discretionary Revaluation Rate Relief Policy and explained how this relief would be funded and administered; and to ask Cabinet to delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Finance in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Services and Resources (except Finance) to finalise the draft policy set out at Appendix A following any further guidance from central government.

 

During discussion the following points were raised:

       i.       Following increased Rates, Central Government had put in place 3 new Rate Relief Schemes:

·         Support for Small Businesses

·         Business Rate Relief Scheme for pubs; and

·         Discretionary Relief Scheme

    ii.        All 3 schemes were cost neutral to the Council.

   iii.        RCC had taken the decision to follow the Valuations Offices classification for pub so to identify businesses eligible for rate relief.

   iv.        Concern was raised regarding the number of pubs (33) that are currently receiving this rate relief was low and if any other businesses would be eligible.

    v.        Mr Della Rocca was consulting with Mr M Waik - Strategic Communications Advisor regarding a potential press statement regarding the additional schemes that are now available.

   vi.        Consultation with Leicestershire Fire Authority had taken place due to their 1% share of the precept.

 

DECISION

 

1.    Cabinet APPROVED the policy detailed at Appendix A to Report No. 97/2017.

 

2.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Assistant Director - Finance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Services and Resources (except Finance) to determine finalise, and review the Discretionary Revaluation Rate Relief Policy and other rate relief schemes in line with guidance issued by the Government and further local schemes relating to non-domestic rate relief as advised.

 

3.    Cabinet APPROVED the classification to be used for public houses as detailed at 4.2 of Report No. 97/2017.

Reason for Decision

1.    The Government expected local authorities to have in place quick and clear arrangements to administer and award reliefs to ratepayers. Officers were therefore seeking delegated authority to determine and finalise revaluation support schemes for 2017/18 and subsequent years.