Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Chief Officer Revenues and Benefits outlining how current guidelines relate to the determination of applications for discretionary rate relief for social enterprises, whilst also proposing amendments which would make the process more transparent and encourage increased applications from this sector.

The Chief Officer (Revenues and Benefits) submitted a report which detailed the current guidelines regarding the determination of applications for discretionary rate relief for social enterprises. In addition, the report also proposed amendments which aimed to make the process more transparent, whilst also encouraging increased applications from this sector. In determining this matter, the Board took into consideration all matters contained within the accompanying report.

Members emphasised the need to ensure that the approach adopted was as enabling as possible.

RESOLVED – That the changes to the Business Rates discretionary relief scheme be approved in order to clarify the criteria by which applications from Social Enterprises will be assessed, and also to increase the maximum level of relief awarded from 50% to 80% in specific cases.