Issue - meetings

That the Committee support the adoption of the new policy framework ceasing Discretionary ‘top-ups’ to those organisation that already benefit from 80% Mandatory Rate Relief and reducing all other Discretionary awards to Voluntary and Not for Profit organisations to a maximum Discretionary award of 80% from 2017-18.

The Revenues Manager introduced a report on the proposed new policy for 2017-18 and future years following the review of the affordability of the current policy of rate relief for charities, voluntary groups and not for profits organisations.  He advised that the recommendations contained within the new policy framework focussed on ceasing Discretionary ‘top ups’ to those organisations that already benefit from 80% Mandatory Rate Relief and reducing all other Discretionary awards to Voluntary and Not for Profits organisations to a maximum Discretionary award of 80% from 2017-18.  The Revenues Manager explained that this would mean that all organisations are expected to make a 20% payment contribution towards business rates.  This proposal would contribute to the requirement to achieve efficiency savings across all service areas.

The Revenues Manager referred to the main considerations, as detailed in the report, and advised that the Council recognised the important role that all Charities, Voluntary Groups and Not For Profit organisations play in the communities they serve and to ensure the long term sustainability of these sectors the separate introduction of a framework to deal with any hardship cases will also provide a ‘safety net’ in appropriate cases.

The Chair thanked the Revenues Manager for his report and invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor David Roney expressed concerns around the possible detrimental  impact of the new policy on Community Asset Transfers.  The Chief Officer responded to the comments raised and referred to detailed discussions taking place around the business plans which had already been formulated.  She advised that each scheme would be looked at on a case by case basis and commented on the Council’s discretionary powers to award Business Rates Hardship Rate Relief in exceptional circumstances.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee support the adoption of the new policy framework ceasing Discretionary ‘top-ups’ to those organisation that already benefit from 80% Mandatory Rate Relief and reducing all other Discretionary awards to Voluntary and Not for Profit organisations to a maximum Discretionary award of 80% from 2017-18.