119 BCa/18/65 RETAIL DISCOUNT - BUSINESS RATE RELIEF POLICY PDF 264 KB
Cabinet Member for Finance
Decision:
BCa/18/65 – RETAIL DISCOUNT – BUSINESS RATE RELIEF POLICY
It was RESOLVED: -
That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for the financial years for 2019/20 and 2021/21 be approved.
Reason for Decision:
To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Babergh District.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 Option 1 – Introduce a retail discount
A new discretionary retail discount is created using the Councils discretionary relief powers, introduced by the Localism Act under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended that applies to occupied properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.
The criteria for the discount:
· Would require the applicants to be in occupation and using the property as described in the policy.
· Eligibility for the discount and the amount itself will be assessed and calculated on a daily basis. The discount will be awarded after any mandatory relief and any other discretionary relief including those funded by section 31 grants except those introduced using the powers granted under the Localism Act 2011. The discount will amount to one third of the bill after the above reliefs.
· The discount will be subject to state aid rules
Administration would be a simple procedure whereby the discount would be automatically applied where the circumstances are clear. A letter would be issued to the ratepayer requesting confirmation that accepting the discount would not exceed the de minimis threshold under the state aid rules. Moving forward a simple online application form will be available for ratepayers to request the discount.
Creating a local retail discount will support local retailers within the district at no cost to the Council.
1.2 Option 2 – Do nothing
There is no mandatory requirement on billing authorities to provide a retail discount, however the Government is funding the scheme, so not introducing it would be an opportunity missed to support local retailers.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
119.1 Councillor Ward introduced the report and MOVED the recommendations in the report. He went on to inform Cabinet that the report set out proposals to introduce a discretionary retail discount scheme for business rate payers occupying properties with a rateable value of less than £51k for each of the years 2019/20 and 2020/21. This scheme would be simple to introduce and was funded by Central government. The introduction of the scheme would give the Council the opportunity to support local businesses.
119.2 Councillor Barrett SECONDED the report and welcomed the proposals.
It was RESOLVED: -
That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for the financial years for 2019/20 and 2021/21 be approved.
Reason for Decision: To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Babergh District.
119 MCa/18/62 RETAIL DISCOUNT - BUSINESS RATE RELIEF POLICY PDF 265 KB
Cabinet Member for Finance
Decision:
It was Resolved:-
That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 be approved.
Reason for Decision:- To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Mid Suffolk District.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
2.1 Option 1 – Introduce a retail discount
A new discretionary retail discount is created using the Councils discretionary relief powers, introduced by the Localism Act under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended that applies to occupied properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.
The criteria for the discount:
· Would require the applicants to be in occupation and using the property as described in the policy.
· Eligibility for the discount and the amount itself will be assessed and calculated on a daily basis. The discount will be awarded after any mandatory relief and any other discretionary relief including those funded by section 31 grants except those introduced using the powers granted under the Localism Act 2011. The discount will amount to one third of the bill after the above reliefs.
· The discount will be subject to state aid rules
Administration would be a simple procedure whereby the discount would be automatically applied where the circumstances are clear. A letter would be issued to the ratepayer requesting confirmation that accepting the discount would not exceed the de minimis threshold under the state aid rules. Moving forward a simple online application form will be available for ratepayers to request the discount.
Creating a local retail discount will support local retailers within the district at no cost to the Council.
2.2 Option 2 – Do nothing
There is no mandatory requirement on billing authorities to provide a retail discount, however the Government is funding the scheme, so not introducing it would be an opportunity missed to support local retailers.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Andrew Wilcock, Shared Services Operations Manager to the meeting.
The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and moved the recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Brewster.
Members were advised that the proposed policy is discretionary and the types of businesses benefitting from relief can be amended.
By a unanimous vote
It was Resolved:-
That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 be approved.
Reason for Decision:- To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Mid Suffolk District.