Issue - meetings

This report provides Cabinet with details of new applications for Discretionary Rate Relief (DRR) for the period 1^st April 2014 to 31st March 2016.  It sets out the Council’s existing DRR commitments against the available budget and asks Cabinet to approve any new awards based upon details of new applications and funding available.        

Resolved:           That Cabinet agree to reject the application for discretionary rate relief for 2014 received from the Steiner School, as it could set a precedent for future applications.

Reason:              To provide a transparent process for awarding discretionary rate relief as approved by Cabinet in February 2013. 

Consideration was given to a report which provided Cabinet with details of a new application received for Discretionary Rate Relief (DRR) for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016. Details of the Council’s existing DRR commitments against the available budget were set out at Annex A of the report.

The new application for DRR for 2014 had been received from the Steiner School, a registered charity and not for profit organisation, which currently received 80% mandatory relief. As a non-local authority school Members were asked to consider whether this could set a precedent for applications from other fee paying schools and Government funded academies.

It was confirmed that as from April 2014 all new awards would take account of budget availability and consideration of applications against Council priorities.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved:           That Cabinet agree to reject the application for discretionary rate relief for 2014 received from the Steiner School, as it could set a precedent for future applications. ^1.

Reason:              To provide a transparent process for awarding discretionary rate relief as approved by Cabinet in February 2013.