Issue - meetings

Retail Relief 2024 - Business Rates

Purpose

To consider a scheme of rate relief for retail premises as outlined by Government in the Autumn Statement 2023.

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Approve the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure scheme as set out in Annex A for 2024/2025

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Resident Services the award of such reliefs

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to consider a scheme of rate relief for retail premises as outlined by Government in the Autumn Statement 2023

Councillor Evemy introduced the report and the recommendations.

Councillor Dale spoke as the seconder on the proposal and its benefits to businesses within the District.

Councillor Evemy proposed the recommendations and Councillor Dale seconded.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

1. APPROVED the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure scheme as set out in Annex A for 2024/2025;

1. DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Assistant Director for Resident Services the award of such reliefs.

Voting Record

5 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention, 3 Absent/Did not vote

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider a scheme of rate relief for retail premises as outlined by Government in the Autumn Statement 2023

Councillor Evemy as the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and made the following points:

The Autumn Statement 2023 continued to offer relief of 75% or up to a cap of £110,000 for businesses from 1 April 2024.
The funding for the scheme would come directly from the UK Government to local authorities.
There would be no application requirement for businesses as officers would apply the criteria in Annex A.

Councillor Dale spoke as the seconder on the proposal and noted the material benefit to hospitality businesses when trade was lower after the Christmas period.