Issue - meetings

This report sets out details of a proposed new retail rate relief scheme which will provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses helping to sustain employment and encourage growth of the York economy.  It requests Cabinet to approve the categories for relief and give the Chief Financial Officer the power to make individual awards.

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

i)             Approve Option 1 to provide retail rate relief to all categories of business listed at paragraph 6 of the report;

ii)        Approve the power to make individual awards to the Chief Financial Officer, as set out at paragraph 11 of the report.

Reason:      i)      To provide clarity in respect of the categories for which the council will consider awarding retail relief and maximise the level of income into the York economy. 

ii)                 To ensure that all applications are dealt with immediately when they are received and that where a business qualifies their bill is promptly amended. 

Consideration was given to a report which provided details of a new retail rate relief scheme proposed to provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses to help sustain employment and encourage growth of the economy. It was noted that the value of rate relief to York could exceed £1m which would be fully met by Central Government.

The temporary two year relief had been provided to support the ‘high street’, affected by changes in consumer spending preferences in particular related to online shopping. In order to qualify for the relief it was noted that the business should be used as a shop, restaurant, cafe or drinking establishment. The report provided at paragraph 6, a list of the categories of business which would be considered for relief.

The Cabinet Member pointed out that in the region of 17,000 businesses could benefit from the relief which could also assist Acomb’s retail offer and rejuvenation of the area.

Consideration was then given to the following two options:

Option 1 – Approve all the categories as set out at paragraph 6;

Option 2 – Select just certain categories as set out at paragraph 6;

Option 3 – Provide no discretionary high street relief at all and it was

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

i)             Approve Option 1 to provide retail rate relief to all categories of business listed at paragraph 6 of the report;

ii)           Approve the power to make individual awards to the Chief Financial Officer, as set out at paragraph 11 of the report. ^1.

Reason:      i)      To provide clarity in respect of the categories for which the council will consider awarding retail relief and maximise the level of income into the York economy. 

ii)                 To ensure that all applications are dealt with immediately when they are received and that where a business qualifies their bill is promptly amended.