Decision details

Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy - Extended Business Rates Relief - Temporary 2021/22 Measures

Decision Maker: Executive Member for Finance and Governance

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

1.  That approval be given to the change to the 2021/22 Business Rate Discretionary Rate Relief Policy in line with the government guidance and to apply the eligible reliefs as a temporary 2021/22 measure under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

 

2. That, for the reasons set out in the report, this decision be deemed urgent and not be subject to the call in process.

Reasons for the decision:

To amend the Business Rate Discretionary Rate Relief Policy to incorporate the extended reliefs (announced in the national budget on 3 March 2021 to provide support to eligible retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England occupying a qualifying property) so that business rate bills can be produced and sent to business rate payers in time to allow for first payments of business rates for 2021/22 on 1 April 2021.

Alternative options considered:

To maintain its existing policies and not make the amendments but that would mean local businesses would pay more business rates, in effect not accepting the government funding available on behalf of eligible businesses.

Urgent item?: Yes

Publication date: 12/05/2021

Date of decision: 08/03/2021

Accompanying Documents: