Issue - meetings

To receive a report on the Rural Settlement List for Business Rates.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson.

The Cabinet has approved the changes to Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural Settlement List effective from 1st April 2023.

See Minute No. 22/52 – Members Interests.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet gave consideration to the updated Rural Settlement List comprising settlements with a population of less than 3,000. The report sets out why changes were being proposed to certain parishes and shows that the impact of the changes would not be detrimental in any way to businesses trading in the rural areas of Huntingdonshire.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Customer Services reported upon the Council’s statutory responsibility to compile and maintain a Rural Settlement List under the provisions of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997. The intention of the List was to allow the Council to grant business rates relief to qualifying businesses to support rural businesses and communities. Having assured the Cabinet that no businesses had been adversely affected by the review and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers & Partnerships), it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet approve the changes to Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural Settlement List effective from 1st April 2023.

Councillors S J Conboy, M A Hassall and B A Mickelburgh abstained from voting on this item.

At the conclusion of discussion on this item the Cabinet placed on record their thanks to Mrs A Burns, Revenues and Benefits Manager who would be taking early retirement later this month. Executive Members thanked her for her hard work and efforts since her arrival in 2009.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Business Rates Rural Settlement List Report.

By means of a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Business Rates Rural Settlement List Report was presented to the Panel.  

Following an enquiry from Councillor Criswell, the Panel were advised that whilst the list could only be amended once annually, there was scope to reverse amends or adapt as circumstances change.

Councillor Shaw questioned how the population figures had been established, citing the specific example of Buckden. The Panel heard that the County Council had provided the figures, with a population of 2,758 being given for Buckden. It was also advised that the 2021 Census figures were still being processed so were not yet available.

The report was praised by Councillor Alban whose ward is comprised of villages who all fall within the parameters of the report. Following a question from Councillor Alban about how businesses apply for relief, the Panel heard that the Business Rates team were proactive. The team work closely with businesses to ensure that they receive support that they are entitled to and are signposted to further support as applicable.

Having welcomed the report, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

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