Issue - meetings

To receive a report on Rural Rate Relief in accordance with s42(b) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended by The Local Government and Rating Act 1997.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson.

The Cabinet has

(a)  approved Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural Settlement List for publication by 31st December 2024, to facilitate the award of Rural Business Rates Relief for the financial year commencing 1st April 2025;

(b)  delegated authority for approval of future Rural Settlement Lists to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance; and

(c)  that the two villages of Buckden and Diddington be separated on the Council’s Rural Settlement List, defining Buckden as an urban settlement and Diddington as a rural settlement.

See 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 reviewed and determined boundaries of rural settlements to facilitate the award of Rural Rate Relief in accordance with s42(b) of The Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended by The Local Government and Rating Act 1997.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance advised the Cabinet that settlements with a population of less than 3,000 were defined by the Government as rural and those with populations exceeding this were regarded as urban. It was a requirement of the Council that boundaries were reviewed, set and published each year by 31st December. The review had resulted in the reclassification of Buckden and Diddington, The Stukeleys and Fenstanton into urban settlements with one business being affected in the latter Parish. Members were assured that contact would be made with them in due course pending the Cabinet’s approval of the recommendations.

Having been acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships), the Cabinet’s attention was drawn to a proposed recommendation suggesting the separation of the villages of Buckden and Diddington, defining Buckden as an urban settlement and Diddington as a rural settlement. Having duly moved and seconded the proposed additional recommendation, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to approve Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural Settlement List for publication by 31st December 2024, to facilitate the award of Rural Business Rates Relief for the financial year commencing 1st April 2025;

(b)  to delegate authority for approval of future Rural Settlement Lists to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance; and

(c)  that the two villages of Buckden and Diddington be separated on the Council’s Rural Settlement List, defining Buckden as an urban settlement and Diddington as a rural settlement.

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

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson

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

It was observed that the villages of Buckden and Diddington were two very separate locations and that by being considered together Diddington would potentially loose out under the scheme. It was confirmed to the Panel that there were no qualifying businesses within either village and that to separate the two would still leave Buckden defined as an urban settlement. It was proposed by Councillor Hassall to add an additional recommendation to the Cabinet report, this was seconded by Councillor Mokbul and the Panel voted unanimously in favour of forwarding the proposed recommendation to the Cabinet;

3) Separate the two villages of Buckden and Diddington, defining Buckden as an urban settlement and Diddington as a rural settlement.

It was noted that it would be helpful to highlight in future reports which settlements have seen a change in definition and a future reference handy to highlight which settlements have seen a change in definition.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report; and;

that Cabinet be encouraged to add the proposed recommendation 3 to the report;

3) to separate the two villages of Buckden and Diddington, defining Buckden as an urban settlement and Diddington as a rural settlement.