Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance provided details of the 2015-16 Business Rates ‘Retail’ relief scheme which would provide grants of up to £1,500.  Qualifying businesses would now benefit from a 50% increase in grant levels.

The Cabinet Member for Education said this would be welcomed by any struggling local businesses and asked if there was any indication of how many would benefit.  The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) said she would obtain that information and share it with Cabinet Members.

In response to a comment from the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, the Cabinet Member for Economic Development said the scheme would be fully publicised and businesses had already been contacted.  Officers could also assist businesses in the completion of the required form.

RESOLVED:

That the introduction of the scheme from 1 April 2015 be approved, and ‘retail relief’ of up to £1,500 be awarded to qualifying businesses for the financial year 2015-16.