Issue - meetings

To receive a report seeking approval of the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson.

The Cabinet has approved the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy effective from 1st April 2023.

A report by the Council Tax and Business Rates Manager was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) setting out the different types of relief available to local businesses that can be awarded under specific qualifying criteria as outlined in the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

During the course of introductions, the Executive Councillor for Customer Services set out the challenges faced by local businesses in the current economic climate with high rents and business rates, both of which were outside of the control of the Council. The Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy enabled the Council an opportunity to provide some level of subsidy to qualifying businesses, however he did go on to highlight that this would be at the expense of taxpayers and that careful consideration had been given to the qualifying criteria in order to ensure the right balance was struck for Huntingdonshire in terms of fairness and consistency.

Following a brief discussion on the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SME’s), in particular, those located in rural areas and having had their attention drawn to the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities & Partnerships), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to approve the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy effective from 1st April 2023.

The Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Council Tax and Business Rates Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy was presented to the Panel.

Following an enquiry from Councillor Alban on whether available support

differed for rural or urban communities, the Panel heard that a wide range of support was available for businesses and would be applied appropriately.

It was clarified to the Panel after questions from Councillors Alban and

McAdam, that charity shops receive mandatory relief and therefore the scheme does not apply to them. It was further clarified that there are notable differences between the help available for nationally recognised charities and non-profit organisations however work is done with such groups to ensure the correct support is given.

Following questions from Councillor Shaw, the Panel were assured that whilst the departments aim was to be cost neutral, the team undertake extensive modelling to ensure that there are clear guidelines in order to support local communities. The strategy gives structure to the package of support already available for businesses.

The Panel were advised that only standalone public conveniences could be considered for support in response to a question from Councillor Shaw.

Following the discussion, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the comments of Overview and Scrutiny be passed to the Cabinet for consideration when making a decision on the recommendations contained within the report.