Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Revenues and Benefits Manager seeking approval of the Covid Additional Relief Fund policy that will form part of the overall National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

Executive Councillor: D Keane.

Cabinet approved the inclusion of the Covid Additional Relief Fund policy into the existing National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy with effect from 1 April 2022.

Consideration was given to a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the introduction of a new Covid Additional Relief Fund (CARF) policy that would form part of the Council’s overall Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

The Executive Councillor for Corporate Services outlined the background to the CARF that had been designed to support businesses that had been impacted by the COVID pandemic but not eligible for other rate relief schemes and further highlighted the eligibility criteria as set out in guidance by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

In noting the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and the communications plan for raising awareness across the District, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the inclusion of the Covid Additional Relief Fund policy into the existing National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy be approved with effect from 1st April 2022.

The National Non Domestic Rates: Discretionary Rate Relief Policy Review is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy Review was presented to the Panel.

Following a query from Councillor Butler, it was clarified to the Panel that the proposed relief would be in addition to existing rate reliefs already in place.

Councillor Roberts praised a great report and in response to a question from Councillor Roberts on the matter, the Panel heard that a comprehensive communications plan was in place to create awareness across the district.

In response to a question by Councillor Gardener, the Panel heard that cases would be looked at individually on a case by case basis by an experienced and dedicated team who would keep a sensible and fluid approach to applications.

Whereupon, having welcomed the report, the Panel

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.