Issue - meetings

The purpose of this paper is to provide Cabinet with details of the new power to grant business rate Discounts.  It also sets out the changes to existing discretionary and mandatory rate relief when business rates are localised in April 2013.  The report provides draft policies and procedures for dealing with both Business Rate Reliefs and Business Rate Discounts for Cabinet approval.         

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

i)             Approve the draft business rate discount policy attached at Annex A;

ii)            Approve the discretionary business rate relief process attached at Annex B.

REASON:           i)        To provide a policy to deal with any requests for business rate discounts. 

ii)       To provide a policy and process to manage future requests for discretionary rate relief that allows for proper consideration of the financial impact of any award.

Members considered a report that provided details of the new

power to grant business rate discounts.  It also set out the changes

to existing discretionary and mandatory rate relief when business

rates are localised in April 2013. 

Consideration was given to the draft policies and procedures for dealing with both Business Rate Reliefs and Business Rate Discounts.  Members agreed that it would be necessary for the policies to be reviewed within two years of them being implemented.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

i)             Approve the draft business rate discount policy attached at Annex A;

ii)            Approve the discretionary business rate relief process attached at Annex B. ^1.

REASON:            i)       To provide a policy to deal with any requests for business rate discounts. 

ii)       To provide a policy and process to manage future requests for discretionary rate relief that allows for proper consideration of the financial impact of any award.