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Agenda item

Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

Purpose

To consider and approve amendments to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.

 

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the amendments to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy as detailed within the report;

2.    Delegate to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, any future amendments to the Policy in respect of Electric Vehicle Charging Points and Electric Vehicle Forecourts.

Decision:

The purpose of this item was to ask Cabinet to consider proposed changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy following recent government announcements and to note the policy which underpins these schemes, as appended to the report.

 

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report  and explained that under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the Localism Act 2011, the Council was required to grant mandatory rate relief in certain circumstances and had discretion to award additional relief where it supported local priorities. Members were advised that the policy reflected previous arrangements and incorporated recent Government business rates initiatives. These included the introduction, from 1 April 2026, of a new 100% business rate relief for a ten?year period for standalone electric vehicle charging points and electric vehicle charging forecourts, and a 15% business rates discount for eligible pubs and live music venues for the 2026/27 financial year. It was noted that the cost of the pub and live music venue relief would be shared between Central Government, the District Council, and the County Council. Members were informed that the relevant reliefs had been applied to 2026/27 annual business rates bills, and that businesses could contact the Council’s Revenues service if they believed they were eligible but had not received the relief.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Patrick Coleman and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

  1. Approve the amendments to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy as detailed within the report;
  2. Delegate to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, any future amendments to the Policy in respect of Electric Vehicle Charging Points and Electric Vehicle Forecourts

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Minutes:

The purpose of this item was to ask Cabinet to consider proposed changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy following recent government announcements and to note the policy which underpins these schemes, as appended to the report.

 

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report  and explained that under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the Localism Act 2011, the Council was required to grant mandatory rate relief in certain circumstances and had discretion to award additional relief where it supported local priorities. Members were advised that the policy reflected previous arrangements and incorporated recent Government business rates initiatives. These included the introduction, from 1 April 2026, of a new 100% business rate relief for a ten?year period for standalone electric vehicle charging points and electric vehicle charging forecourts, and a 15% business rates discount for eligible pubs and live music venues for the 2026/27 financial year. It was noted that the cost of the pub and live music venue relief would be shared between Central Government, the District Council, and the County Council. Members were informed that the relevant reliefs had been applied to 2026/27 annual business rates bills in February and March, and that businesses could contact the Council’s Revenues service if they believed they were eligible but had not received the relief.

Members discussed Addendum 3 regarding the new Supporting Small Business Relief scheme introduced by the Government. It was noted that the reliefs applied from 1 April and largely reflected nationally prescribed requirements, with formal adoption of the policy required by the Council.

Reference was made to the absence of detailed guidance in relation to electric vehicle charging point relief, and it was noted that authority would be delegated to the appropriate officers, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder, to determine the necessary arrangements once details were available.

Members expressed concern regarding the challenges currently facing small businesses and whether sufficient steps were being taken to communicate the availability of reliefs. Officers confirmed that mandatory reliefs were applied automatically, while discretionary reliefs required an application and subsequent approval. It was reported that information had been included on the reverse of business rate bills, council webpages had been updated, and signposting had been strengthened. The Council’s “Business Matters” communications channel was also highlighted as a key mechanism for outreach.

Members encouraged continued proactive communication, including raising awareness through town and parish councils to ensure that businesses not engaged with existing communication channels were informed. It was noted that a significant proportion of local businesses were subscribed to “Business Matters,” although further engagement was welcomed.

Finally, concerns were raised regarding significant increases in business rate valuations undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency, with examples cited of substantial rises and a complex appeals process. Businesses experiencing sharp increases were encouraged to consider lodging appeals and to contact the Council for support. Appreciation was expressed for the professionalism and support provided by the Revenues team.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Patrick Coleman and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Supporting documents:

 

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