Issue - meetings

This report details new applications for relief received since the Cabinet last considered such applications on 21 September 2015.  It also seeks a 6 month extension to the Business Rates discount scheme, i.e., to 30 September 2016, in order that a review can be carried out and reported back to Cabinet in June.

(i)         that the applications for discretionary rate relief detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report be approved;

(ii)        that the discretionary discount scheme for businesses accredited to the London Living Wage Foundation be extended for a further 6 months, from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 on the basis that the Business Rates discount will continue to be five times the cost of accreditation and will be awarded to businesses in Brent which become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation and who meet the criteria detailed in Appendix 4 of the report;

(ii)        that approval of this scheme is pursuant to the Council’s powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and that this proposal is considered reasonable having regard to the interests of those persons who are liable to pay council tax in the borough of Brent and that a further report be submitted once the scheme is reviewed in May/June 2016.

Councillor Mashari, Lead Member for Employment and Skills, introduced the report stating that the council has the discretion to award rate relief to charities or non-profit making bodies. It also has the discretion to remit an individual National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) liability in whole or in part on the grounds of hardship.

Councillor Mashari stated that the award of discretionary rate relief was based on policy and criteria agreed by the Executive in September 2013. New applications for relief have to be approved by the Cabinet. The report detailed new applications for relief received since the Cabinet last considered such applications on 21 September 2015.

Councillor Mashari reminded members that the Cabinet agreed at its meeting on 26 January 2015 to award a Business Rates discount to companies who agreed to pay its employees the London Living Wage and who became accredited with the Living Wage Foundation. The level of discount was 5 times the costs of accreditation, 30% of the cost of the discount is borne by the council. This scheme was introduced for 12 months, from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, it was agreed a review would be carried out once the scheme had been operational for 12 months.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the applications for discretionary rate relief detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report be approved;

(ii)        that the discretionary discount scheme for businesses accredited to the London Living Wage Foundation be extended for a further 6 months, from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 on the basis that the Business Rates discount will continue to be five times the cost of accreditation and will be awarded to businesses in Brent which become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation and who meet the criteria detailed in Appendix 4 of the report;

(iii)       that approval of this scheme is pursuant to the Council’s powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and that this proposal is considered reasonable having regard to the interests of those persons who are liable to pay council tax in the borough of Brent and that a further report be submitted once the scheme is reviewed in May/June 2016.