42 Local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme PDF 226 KB
Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which sought approval to establish a Local
Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme.
The Board was advised that, on 8 March 2017, the Chancellor announced that
the Government would make available a discretionary fund of £300m nationally,
to support those businesses which faced the steepest increase in business
rates. It was reported that, following revaluation, those businesses facing an
increase were already being supported through transitional arrangements. Additional
help was also in place to support those businesses that had lost some or all of
their small business rate relief and to public houses.
It was noted that, although the General Election had delayed the
detailed implementation of the announcement, the necessary guidance and funding
was now in place which enabled Councils to establish and implement their
schemes. Section 31 grant funding would be administered through billing
authorities’ existing legal powers. It was reported that Halton had been
allocated £285,000 over four years, to be spent as set out in the report.
Appendix 1 set out the proposed Local Discretionary Business Rates
Relief Scheme, detailing eligibility criteria to be applied and the application
process. There was a requirement for the Council to consult with Cheshire Fire
and Rescue Service and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on the
design of the Local Scheme.
It was further reported that the Government had also announced a scheme
of business rates relief for public houses, which would be fully funded under
Section 31 grant funding, as well as a further scheme known as Support to Small
Business Relief, which was intended to help those ratepayers that would lose some
or all of their Small Business Rates Relief following revaluation.
RESOLVED: That
1) the
Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme set out in the report and
appendix, be approved, subject to consultation with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;
2) delegated
authority be granted to the Operational Director, Finance, in liaison with the
Resources Portfolio holder, to finalise and implement the Scheme following
appropriate consultation;
3) the
scheme of business rates relief for public houses outlined in the report, be
approved; and
4) the scheme of business rates relief support for small businesses outlined in the report, be approved.