Decision details

The Government announced at the budget on 27 October 2021 a new relief for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties with 50% relief on rates bills up to £110,000 per business.

These changes will have effect for 2022/23. The Council will need to use their discretionary relief powers (under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 as amended) to create/amend a policy to grant the discount in line with the relevant eligibility criteria. The Council will be compensated for the cost of granting the discount through a section 31 grant from Government.

1.             To authorise the Chief Executive to introduce new policies (that must be in accordance with the draft policies set out in Appendices 1 to 4) for the implementation and administration of the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund, the retail, hospitality and leisure scheme and the extension of the Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business Relief for Small and Medium Properties Scheme.

2.             To authorise the Shared Revenues Partnership Operations Manager (Revenues) to determine all applications etc associated with these policies in keeping with the policies. Prior to determining any applications associated with paragraph 2.4 of Appendix 4, he shall consult the Chief Executive and consider any comments he may have received back prior to any award decisions being made.

Reason: To enable the Council to meet Government expectations and implement these schemes in a timely manner that support local businesses in respect of reducing the burden of the cost of Business Rates.