Issue - meetings

This paper provides details of the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure (RHL) business rate relief and Council Tax Support (CTS) hardship schemes 2023/24 for noting by the Executive Member for Finance & Major Projects. To avoid complications with the 2023/24 annual billing cycle an officer decision was made by the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Executive Member on 14^th February 2023 here:  https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6783

Resolved: That;

a)   The council’s RHL scheme (as detailed in paragraphs 5 – 12 of the published report) be noted.

b)   The council’s CTS hardship scheme (as detailed in paragraphs 13 – 19 of the published report) be noted.

c)   The delegation of discretion to decide on qualifying and non-qualifying businesses (outside of those set out in Annex A of the published report) to the Head of Customer and Exchequer Services in consultation with the Head of Economic Development be approved.

d)   Approval be given to the delegation to make any changes to the council’s RHL and CTS hardship scheme within the broader scope of the scheme guidance (as set at Annexes A and B of the published report) to the council’s s151 officer (Chief Finance Officer)  in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Major Projects (as detailed in paragraphs 11 & 19 of the published report).

Reason:     To provide cost of living support to business and residents hardest hit by the current economic pressures.

The Executive Member considered a report that provided details of the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure (RHL) business rate relief and Council Tax Support (CTS) hardship schemes 2023/24 for noting by the Executive Member for Finance & Major Projects. To avoid complications with the 2023/24 annual billing cycle an officer decision was made by the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Executive Member on 14 February 2023. This was shown at Annex D of the report. With reference to recommendation C, the Director of Customer and Communities advised that recommendation for approval, and not noting.

The Head of Customer and Exchequer Services detailed the report noting that it continued rate relief from the government but did not address increased costs for swimming pools. The Executive Member thanked staff for their work and then;

Resolved: That;

a)   The council’s RHL scheme (as detailed in paragraphs 5 – 12 of the published report) be noted.

b)   The council’s CTS hardship scheme (as detailed in paragraphs 13 – 19 of the published report) be noted.

c)   The delegation of discretion to decide on qualifying and non-qualifying businesses (outside of those set out in Annex A of the published report) to the Head of Customer and Exchequer Services in consultation with the Head of Economic Development be noted.

d)   Approval be given to the delegation to make any changes to the council’s RHL and CTS hardship scheme within the broader scope of the scheme guidance (as set at Annexes A and B of the published report) to the council’s s151 officer (Chief Finance Officer)  in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Major Projects (as detailed in paragraphs 11 & 19 of the published report).

Reason:     To provide cost of living support to business and residents hardest hit by the current economic pressures.

[The meeting adjourned from 10.07 to 10.09]