Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services on changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy form 1^st April 2014.

Agreed that with effect from 1st April 2014 a discount of £1,000 (subject to state aid limits) be awarded for all occupied retail properties with a rateable value not exceeding £50,000 and a 50% business rate relief for 18 months for businesses that move into retail premises that have been empty for a year or more; agreed that 100% rate relief for 3 months be awarded for any day between 1^st December 2013 and 31^st March 2014 where non domestic properties have been flooded and meet other qualifying criteria; and authorised the Head of Customer Services and Local Taxation Manager to award these discounts.

By way of a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with new temporary rate relief measures announced by the Government resulting in the need to consider a change to the Council’s Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

Members were advised that the measures aimed to help and financial support the local “retail” ratepayers, encourage new occupations as well as support households and businesses affected by the recent floods.  Having noted that billing authorities would be reimbursed by the Government for any discounts awarded and in stressing the need to promote the measures with the business community, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that with effect from 1st April 2014 a discount of £1,000 (subject to state aid limits) be awarded for all occupied retail properties with a rateable value not exceeding £50,000;

(b)  that with effect from 1^st April 2014 a 50% business rate relief for 18 months be awarded for businesses that move into retail premises that have been empty for a year or more;

(c)  that 100% rate relief for 3 months be awarded for any day between 1^st December 2013 and 31^st March 2014 where non domestic properties have been flooded and meet other qualifying criteria; and

(d)  that the Head of Customer Services and Local Taxation Manager be authorised to award these discounts.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services.

(Councillor B S Chapman, Executive Councillor for Customer Services, was in attendance for this item).

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel considered proposals to amend the Council’s existing Discretionary Relief Policy to incorporate the new temporary reliefs that were announced in the Chancellor’s 2013 Autumn Statement and to address issues relating to the recent flooding in some areas of the Country. Having been advised of details of the proposed discounts and that it was intended that the cost of any relief awarded would be fully reimbursed by the Government, the Executive Councillor for Customer Services emphasised that the introduction of temporary reliefs would support the Council’s strategic aim to support the local economy and local businesses.

In considering the contents of the report, the Panel discussed the arrangements through which the Government intended to reimburse local authorities and whether the Council was confident that it would do so. Whilst the additional administrative and cost burden to the Council was not yet known, the Panel was informed that it was expected the additional work could be undertaken from within existing resources. It was then reported that the Council had received no requests for flood relief to-date in Huntingdonshire. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that, providing that the cost of any relief awards are fully reimbursed by the Government and subject to the satisfaction of all qualifying conditions, the Cabinet be recommended to approve the award of (Section 47) Discretionary Rate Relief to provide –

(a)  a discount of £1000 (subject to state aid limits) for all occupied retail properties with a rateable value not exceeding £50,000

(b)  a 50% business rate relief for 18 months for businesses that move into retail premises that have been empty for a year or more; and

(c)  a 100% rate relief for 3 months for any day between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014 where non domestic properties have been flooded and meet the qualifying criteria.