Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 23 November 2017 and its comments will be reported.

The report of Chief Finance Officer was submitted that sought Members approval for a Local Discretionary Relief Scheme policy to determine the level of Discretionary Relief to be granted to certain defined ratepayers within the Council’s area. This was as a result of the new Discretionary Relief Scheme announced in the Spring Budget 2017.

The Chief Finance Officer updated on the three schemes, supporting Small Business, support for Pubs and the Local Discretionary Scheme. The latter was a £300 million Government discretionary fund scheme over four years to support those businesses that faced the steepest increase in their business rates bills. Exeter would receive £357,000 in 2017/18 reducing by around 50% each year until 2020/21 when the Council would receive £10,000. The proposed policy was broadly in line with the rest of Devon and support would be focused on local business that had suffered an increase in their business rates although there would be certain exclusions.

In response to questions from Members, the Chief Finance Officer clarified that procedures were already in place to administer the scheme and the Council would pro-actively invite those businesses in the most need to apply.

Members welcomed the scheme.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 23 November 2017 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED to Council:-

(1)       the Policy be approved; and

(2)      delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader, to review the scheme and, if necessary, increase the maximum threshold, to ensure Government funding is fully directed to businesses in Exeter.

To consider the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The Chief Finance Officer presented the report that sought Members approval for a Local Discretionary Relief Scheme policy to determine the level of Discretionary Relief to be granted to certain defined ratepayers within the Council’s area. The Government had announced the launch of a £300m discretionary fund following the spring 2017 Budget, which would cover a four year period starting in 2017/18, to support businesses that faced steep increases in business rates bills.

He confirmed that all billing authorities in England had been included in the discretionary fund, and this policy would provide a plan to distribute the funds. Section 151 Officers across the Devon Authorities were keen to work under a Devon framework, and had asked the Devon Revenues & Benefits Group to produce a flexible policy document to reflect local issues, enabling political steer. He highlighted where the focus of the policy would be. The Chief Finance Officer explained the scheme had been developed so that funds would slowly reduce over the four years.

In response to questions from Members, the Chief Finance Officer responded that the Council would seek a declaration that a business had not received more than £200,000 in state aid over the relevant three year period. A declaration would be beneficial to help identify what other aid a business was being received and be taken to legal as required. Member involvement was required through the Council’s Constitution.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee noted the report and requested that:-

(1)   Executive recommend Council to approve the Policy; and

(2)   Delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader, to review the scheme, and if necessary, increase the maximum threshold, to ensure Government funding is fully directed to businesses in Exeter.