Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

It was resolved –

·        That the Authority use its discretionary relief powers granted under Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1988 to award the Welsh Government’s temporary “High Street Rates Relief” scheme. Relief to be provided in accordance with the Welsh Government’s “Non-domestic Rates High Street Rates Relief Guidance” 19 April, 2017 as at Appendix A to the report.

·        That the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer, under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers (part 3.5.3.5.19 of the Constitution) makes suitable arrangements to administer and determine applications for the “Non-domestic Rates High Street Rates Relief” scheme.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer requesting the Executive to use discretionary relief powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1988 to adopt a temporary business rates relief scheme was presented for consideration.

Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor R.G.Parry, OBE, FRAgS and Ieuan Williams withdrew from the meeting during the consideration and determination thereof.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that the Welsh Government has announced that it will provide a non-domestic rates high street rates relief from 1 April, 2017 which will be available for one year only to 31 March, 2018. The relief is targeted at high street retailers In Wales and will provide two tiers of non-domestic rates relief for eligible high street retailers occupying premises with a rateable value of £50,000 or less in the 2017/18 financial year, subject to state aid limits. Award of the relief will be application based. Details of the eligibility criteria and expectations are set out in the Guidance at Appendix A to the report.

It was resolved –

·      That the Authority use its discretionary relief powers granted under Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1988 to award the Welsh Government’s temporary “High Street Rates Relief” scheme. Relief to be provided in accordance with the Welsh Government’s “Nondomestic Rates High Street Rates Relief Guidance” 19 April, 2017 as at Appendix A to the report.

·      That the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer, under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers (part 3.5.3.5.19 of the Constitution) makes suitable arrangements to administer and determine applications for the “Non-domestic Rates High Street Rates Relief” scheme.