Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services reviewing business rates relief.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)

That the Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for 2017/18 be approved.

That authority be delegated to the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources to agree the revised Business Rates Revaluation Schemes for the next 3 consecutive years

A report by the Revenue and Benefits Manager, to which was appended the HDC Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme 2017/18 (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), was considered for approval. Members were informed that the proposed method of distributing the funding in line with the Council’s Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme, as detailed within the report, gave the greatest amount of relief to small local businesses most affected by the Business Rates revaluation providing the best use of funds. This reflected the aims contained within the Government’s consultation paper and helped to promote a strong local economy. It was anticipated that the scheme for 2018/19 and beyond would retain the same basic principles as the scheme for 2017/18 but would be based upon reduced funding. The Cabinet heard that future adjustments to the scheme would be minimal and it was thereby

RESOLVED

a)  that the Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for 2017/18 be approved; and

b)  that the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources be delegated to agree the revised Business Rates Revaluation Schemes for the next three consecutive years.

The Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme 2017/18 is to be presented to the Panel.

The Panel was reminded that Business Rates are set nationally but collected locally. The Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme is one of three additional relief schemes announced as part of the Government’s Spring 2017 budget and the report proposes how the Council’s allocation of funding will be shared between businesses based in the District over four years.

While the proposed policy has been designed using the principles used by Government to determine the level of funding available, the Head of Customer Services explained that one significant change is proposed by specifically excluding multi-national companies through the qualifying criteria.

Members discussed the policy and were supportive of the decision to support smaller local businesses and the proposal to retain some of the funding as a contingency pot for use on a case-by-case basis to make awards to businesses adversely affected by the revaluation that do not meet the qualifying criteria. It was confirmed that the impact on local businesses has been modelled and the benefits of the relief scheme are spread across the district with both market towns and rural communities receiving a fair share.

There was discussion of whether reviews under the right of appeal should be carried out solely by a Head of Service. Members were advised that the Head of Customer Services would undertake these reviews independently from the team administering the policy and awarding relief but the Panel felt that Executive Member involvement should be considered.

The Panel made a recommendation to Cabinet that, subject to considering amending the right of appeal in section nine to require Executive Member involvement in reviews, they approve the Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for 2017/18 and delegate authority to the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources to agree the revised Business Rates Revaluation Schemes for the next three consecutive years.