Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Management introduced the various policies for the administration of Council Tax and Business Rates for the 2014/15 financial year.  The policies required by statute to be approved each year were:-

·        Council Tax Discounts on second and long term empty homes

·        Council Tax Discretionary discounts

·        Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief

·        Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief for Small Businesses

            The Head of Finance reported that during consideration of the report at a meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee, a Member had queried why discretionary discounts were not available to those who made payments by standing order/direct debit.  She explained that a high proportion of residents currently used this preferred method and that a discount was not applied due to anti-poverty issues to residents and cost implications to the Council.   

RESOLVED:

That the current Council Tax and Business Rate Policies for 2014/15, as detailed in the report, be continued.