Issue - meetings

This report sets out the details of York’s proposed new retail discount scheme 2020 – 21 including pub relief and approve the category of retail properties that will benefit (the scheme). These discounts will provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses helping to sustain employment and encourage growth of the York economy.

Resolved: That the following items be approved: 

a)           City of York Council’s scheme for applying the retail discount and pub relief in line with central government guidance (as set out at Annex A of the report);

b)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance (and at Annex A of the report) that may meet the qualifying criteria be considered on a case by case basis and awards made if deemed to meet the qualifying criteria by the Business Rates Team (as set out at Paragraph 9 of the report);

c)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance and at Annex A and are considered not to meet the stated qualifying criteria can be considered on a case by case basis and be declined by the Business Rates Team (as set out in Paragraphs 10 & 11 of the report); and

d)           that the council automatically awards this discount to all the businesses it identifies as meeting the qualifying criteria (as set out at Para 19 of the report).

Reason:     To support local business in York protect employment and grow the local economy.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out the details of York’s proposed new retail discount scheme 2020 – 21 including pub relief and approve the category of retail properties that will benefit (the scheme). These discounts will provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses helping to sustain employment and encourage growth of the York economy.

The Head of Customer & Exchequer Services outlined the report and recommendations to the Executive Member explaining how retail discount scheme and pub relief would be operated in practice. The Executive Member welcomed the scheme and pub relief in supporting businesses in the city.

Resolved: That the following items be approved: 

a)           City of York Council’s scheme for applying the retail discount and pub relief in line with central government guidance (as set out at Annex A of the report);

b)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance (and at Annex A of the report) that may meet the qualifying criteria be considered on a case by case basis and awards made if deemed to meet the qualifying criteria by the Business Rates Team (as set out at Paragraph 9 of the report);

c)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance and at Annex A and are considered not to meet the stated qualifying criteria can be considered on a case by case basis and be declined by the Business Rates Team (as set out in Paragraphs 10 & 11 of the report); and

d)           that the council automatically awards this discount to all the businesses it identifies as meeting the qualifying criteria (as set out at Para 19 of the report).

Reason:     To support local business in York protect employment and grow the local economy.