Issue - meetings

Report by Service Director, Economy and Enterprise and Chief Finance Officer

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing presented a report which sought approval for the adoption of a policy and process relating to applications for business rate relief on the grounds of hardship. This was in essence harmonising procedures in place at the former Wiltshire district Councils.

Cabinet considered the Hardship Rate Relief Application and Assessment Protocol which set out the process on how such applications would be processed, determined and the mechanism for appeal.

The Leader commented that this was an Action for Wiltshire initiative which would no doubt help struggling businesses who were suffering short term financial difficulties. She also urged officers to deal with applications as quickly and effectively as possible.

Resolved:

That Cabinet adopt the process to manage applications for hardship rate relief to ensure that any award meets the Council’s objectives and brings benefit to the community the business serves and specifically that:

a)           Cabinet approves and adopts the application and assessment process for hardship rate relief (attached as Appendix 1 to the report);

b)           the decision on applications requesting hardship rate relief of up to £10,000 in total be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer of Wiltshire Council, in consultation with the Head of the Revenues and Benefits Service;

c)           That Cabinet establish a committee of the Cabinet to determine business hardship rate relief applications in excess of £10,000 rate relief.  This committee to comprise 3 members appointed by the Head of Democratic Services, to be drawn from Cabinet;

d)           the Appeals Panel determines cases where an application has been rejected and an appeal by the ratepayer is lodged;

e)           that £100,000 is identified and allocated on an annual basis to specifically fund hardship rate relief applications and

f)             that Cabinet members receive training on business hardship rate relief.

Reason for Decision

The Council need to agree policy and process relating to hardship rate relief to provide a framework for managing applications and ensure that any award meets the Council’s objectives and brings benefit to the community the business serves.