Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval to establish a Local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme.

The Board was advised that, on 8 March 2017, the Chancellor announced that the Government would make available a discretionary fund of £300m nationally, to support those businesses which faced the steepest increase in business rates. It was reported that, following revaluation, those businesses facing an increase were already being supported through  transitional arrangements. Additional help was also in place to support those businesses that had lost some or all of their small business rate relief and to public houses.

It was noted that, although the General Election had delayed the detailed implementation of the announcement, the necessary guidance and funding was now in place which enabled Councils to establish and implement their schemes. Section 31 grant funding would be administered through billing authorities’ existing legal powers. It was reported that Halton had been allocated £285,000 over four years, to be spent as set out in the report.

Appendix 1 set out the proposed Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme, detailing eligibility criteria to be applied and the application process. There was a requirement for the Council to consult with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on the design of the Local Scheme.

It was further reported that the Government had also announced a scheme of business rates relief for public houses, which would be fully funded under Section 31 grant funding, as well as a further scheme known as Support to Small Business Relief, which was intended to help those ratepayers that would lose some or all of their Small Business Rates Relief following revaluation.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme set out in the report and appendix, be approved, subject to consultation with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

2)    delegated authority be granted to the Operational Director, Finance, in liaison with the Resources Portfolio holder, to finalise and implement the Scheme following appropriate consultation;

3)    the scheme of business rates relief for public houses outlined in the report, be approved; and

4)    the scheme of business rates relief support for small businesses outlined in the report, be approved.