Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the Council Tax and Business Rate Statutory Policies 2017/18 report.

                        Each year there was a need to approve certain policies for the administration of Council Tax and Business Rates which were:

• Council Tax Discounts on second and long term empty homes;
• Council Tax Discretionary Discounts;
• Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief; and
• Business Rates ‘top-up’ Discretionary Rate Reliefs to small businesses

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) added that the policy framework for Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief in 2017-18 had been approved by Cabinet in July 2016, and that for empty properties in May 2016.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a policy of not awarding Council Tax discounts on second and long term empty homes in 2017-18 be adopted.  This will enable the Council to raise a Council Tax premium, in certain circumstances, at the rate of 50% above the standard rate of Council Tax as already agreed through the introduction of the Premium scheme from 2017-18 (i.e. a 150% charge);

(b)       That the current policy to only consider Discretionary Council Tax discounts in cases of civil emergencies and natural disasters be continued;

(c)        That the implementation of the new Discretionary Business Rate Relief Policy Framework for 2017-18 as previously agreed by Cabinet be noted; and

(d)       That the current policy of not awarding ‘top-up’ Discretionary Discounts to businesses already qualifying for Small Business Rate Relief be continued in 2017-18.