Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation) regarding new government schemes for Council Tax Support Funding and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief.

(1)    Cabinet agreed to give delegated authority to the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation), in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Planning, to agree the process and any subsequent amendments for distribution of Council Tax Support Fund Payments in 2023/24.

(2)    Cabinet agreed to give delegated authority to the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation), in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Planning, to agree a discretionary rate relief policy and any subsequent amendments for awarding retail, hospitality and leisure relief, for the 2023/24 year.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation) seeking delegated authority to design and implement two government announced schemes aimed at supporting businesses and residents with the cost-of-living crisis.

The Council Tax Support Fund is a further reduction to council tax of up to £25 per annum to those receiving Council Tax Support. This fund is capped at just over £162,000 and will be closed once this cap is reached.

The Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme is aimed at providing businesses with additional relief against their business rates bill and is capped at £110,000 per business. This scheme is fully funded by the government. Guidance has been reviewed by officers and we are aiming to have the scheme policies completed by mid-February to enable reductions to be made before bills are issued. Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations and delegate authority for approval of these schemes.

(1)   The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

Cabinet agreed to give delegated authority to the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation), in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Planning, to agree the process and any subsequent amendments for distribution of Council Tax Support Fund Payments in 2023/24.

Cabinet agreed to give delegated authority to the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation), in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Planning, to agree a discretionary rate relief policy and any subsequent amendments for awarding retail, hospitality and leisure relief, for the 2023/24 year.

(2)   Reasons for the Decision

The Government is introducing a Council Tax Support Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme for 2023/24. Both these schemes need to be launched and included with 2023/24 council tax and business rate bills, which will be produced towards the end of February 2023.

The Council Tax Support Fund will allow this Council to deliver additional support to households already receiving council tax support. This could include potentially vulnerable residents.