Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer]

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 258915

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Discretionary Relief Policy, detailed in Appendix A, be approved; and

ii)            That the Council’s Policy for Discretionary Business Rates and Council Tax reductions be reviewed every three years.

Councillors S Davenport, R Macey and L Picton left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance on the Council’s three yearly review of non-domestic rates discretionary relief and Council Tax discretionary discounts.  He stated that a six-week consultation was to take place with a final decision being made in the early Autumn

Given the declared interests of some Members in their local village halls, he commented that the proposed changes would not affect village halls and the main aim of the review was fairness to all.

Responding to a query about the impact on social enterprise and commercial interest companies, the Portfolio Holder stressed that each case was looked at on its own merits.  The Leader added that there was always an opportunity to appeal.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Discretionary Relief Policy, detailed in Appendix A, be approved; and

ii)            That the Council’s Policy for Discretionary Business Rates and Council Tax reductions be reviewed every three years.