Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

RESOLVED THAT

1.    a local discretionary revaluation support scheme for 2017/18 as set out in appendix 2 be approved

2.    the relief scheme for pubs to be awarded in accordance with the detailed guidance in appendix 3 be approved

3.    the Supporting Small Businesses relief scheme to be awarded in line with the detailed guidance in appendix 3 be approved

4.    Due to the volume of cases decisions relating to the application of these reliefs be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits and officers in the Business Rates team. In the case of a dispute a reconsideration is to be made by the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report which sought approval to award three separate relief schemes to help business ratepayers facing large increases in bills as the result of the 2017 revaluation of business premises using discretionary powers introduced by the Localism Act.

She explained that this represented one off funding which could not be transferred and it was important that the council supported as many local businesses as possible. She reported that extensive modelling had been undertaken to capture as many small businesses as possible within Cheltenham. The core principles of the scheme were set out in paragraph 2 and in full at appendix 2. She explained that the reliefs were a temporary measure over 3 years and were not transferrable between years. Cheltenham had been allocated £271k and some 1200 ratepayers already paid nothing due to receiving 100 % small business rate relief.

The Cabinet Member said that the scheme would capture more than 300 businesses totalling some £220k and there would be a contingency kept for any that had not been identified in the modelling as set out in paragraph 2.8. She was particularly pleased to be proposing in the local scheme that any business occupying no more than two properties in Cheltenham who met the criteria, relief would be available on both properties. The level of relief was set at a 3 % increase or £50 whichever was greater and the business would get 50 % of any increase.

Finally, the Cabinet Member thanked the Head of Revenues and Benefits for her contribution in maximising the value for as many businesses in the town as possible.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    a local discretionary revaluation support scheme for 2017/18 as set out in appendix 2 be approved

2.    the relief scheme for pubs to be awarded in accordance with the detailed guidance in appendix 3 be approved

3.    the Supporting Small Businesses relief scheme to be awarded in line with the detailed guidance in appendix 3 be approved

4.    Due to the volume of cases decisions relating to the application of these reliefs be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits and officers in the Business Rates team. In the case of a dispute a reconsideration is to be made by the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance