Issue - meetings

That the current Council Tax and Business Rate Policies for 2014/15 be continued.

Councillors Clive Carver and Richard Jones left the room prior to consideration of this item.

The Revenues & Benefits Manager introduced the report giving details of an annual report on Council Tax and Business Rate Policies proposed for the financial year 2014/15.  He outlined the areas under Section 13A of the Council Tax regulations where discretionary relief could be applied by Councils, as indicated in the report, and advised that such amounts were funded by the Council and not Welsh Government.  Views were sought from the Committee to be reported verbally to Cabinet.

Councillor Marion Bateman queried why discretionary discounts were not available to those who made payments by standing order/direct debit.  The Revenues & Benefits Manager 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.

In response to a query from Councillor Richard Lloyd, the Revenues & Benefits Manager confirmed that the 25% discount on Council Tax for single person occupancy was part of primary legislation.  A 50% National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) reduction was applied to establishments which fulfilled the requirements for discretionary relief, such as golf clubs and golf driving ranges.

Following a query by Councillor Peter Curtis on the potential for some golf clubs to attract revenue from on-site functions, the Revenues Manager explained that only a small number qualified for the relief.

When asked by Councillor Haydn Bateman about traveller sites, the Revenues & Benefits Manager explained that Council Tax was payable on any domestic properties within the Council Tax Valuation List which were the main residence of the individual and that single person occupancy discount would apply within the legislation.  Business rates would apply to caravans located on holiday parks payable through the site owner.

Councillor Arnold Woolley queried the rationale not to award discretionary ‘top up’ discounts to small businesses, in view of the current financial climate.  The Revenues & Benefits Manager advised that hardship relief was available through the Business Rate regulations which would entitle 100% relief on those businesses which qualified.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance clarified that it was not the responsibility of the Council to set business rates and that the policy on discretionary elements had remained unchanged by the Council for some time.

Councillor Marion Bateman asked if Cabinet could give consideration to applying an incentive discount for payments by Direct Debit.  The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance agreed that this was a valid point and would be referred to Cabinet.  However, there was a need to understand the proportion of those already paying by this method and the potential significant cost implications to the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the current Council Tax and Business Rate Policies for 2014/15 be continued.