Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

The minutes of the Cabinet Member meeting held on 8 December were confirmed and signed as a true record.

None.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources.

The Cabinet Member considered a report from the Executive Director, Resources, which pointed out that following the business rates retention scheme in 2013 there came the introduction of some new reliefs. To prevent the need for a change to primary legislation, the Government introduced these as additional discretionary rate reliefs (not to be confused with the discretionary rate relief for charitable and non-profit making organisations).

Within the guidelines there was a best practice statement that Councils should ensure they have a policy to cover all of the discretionary reliefs in the event of any challenges. This was reiterated by CIPFA & IRRV. The report set out a draft policy for the granting of discretionary rate reliefs and the Cabinet Member was asked to approve the same. 

Resolved: That the Cabinet Member, Strategic Finance and Resources, approves the Policy for Discretionary Rates Relief (Excluding Charities).