Agenda item

This report sets out the recommendations to Cabinet made by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on the Devolution of Business Rates Task Group Report. The task group has made eleven individual recommendations, spread across the four key areas: Central Government Policy, Financial Risk, Possible impact to Brent and Growth in Business rate income.

Recommendations to Cabinet from the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee – Devolution Of Business Rates

RESOLVED:

      i.        Cabinet noted the recommendations made by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on the Devolution of Business Rates task group report, set out in Appendix A.

    ii.        Cabinet noted that the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee supports the Devolution of Business Rates and believe that there are real opportunities for Brent to benefit from this policy change.

   iii.        Cabinet agreed that the appropriate Cabinet member explore the viability of each recommendation made within their portfolio; and report back to the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee with updates in the next six months.

Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of the Council, introduced the report. Councillor McLennan thanked the Members of the task Group, Chaired by Councillor Joel Davidson, Brondesbury Park.

Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, echoed Councillor McLennan’s statement, saying that this report is an example of the scrutiny function working well.

RESOLVED:

      i.        Cabinet noted the recommendations made by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on the Devolution of Business Rates task group report, set out in Appendix A.

    ii.        Cabinet noted that the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee supports the Devolution of Business Rates and believe that there are real opportunities for Brent to benefit from this policy change.

   iii.        Cabinet agreed that the appropriate Cabinet member explore the viability of each recommendation made within their portfolio; and report back to the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee with updates in the next six months.