Issue - meetings

[Report of the Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture]The report seeks Cabinet’s approval for the adoption of a new discretionary business rates relief policy following an eleven week public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture introduced the report which set out the new discretionary business rates relief policy and reflected significant changes to the policy, legal, and financial frameworks governing business rates that had taken place since the existing policy was implemented in 1990.

The Cabinet Member advised that, given the financial constraints the Council were facing, it would be increasingly reliant on local sources of income and in doing so would need to support local economic growth. The Cabinet Member also advised that the report supported Council priorities, particularly around jobs and regeneration. The Cabinet Member thanked all of the residents and traders who were involved in the consultation process.

The Leader asked Cabinet to approve the recommendations at section 3.1 of the report.

RESOLVED

To approve the new Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy,

as appended to the report at Appendix A and described in more detail at

section 6 of the report. This

1.    Introduces new discretionary relief schemes for businesses:

i)              To support occupancy of new and converted office and work space across the borough (B1 class usage);

ii)            that are temporarily using a space whilst a new development project is being completed (meanwhile initiatives)

2.            Updates and makes the following changes to the existing

discretionary business rates relief scheme for Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCOs):

i)      VCOs applying for discretionary relief will be asked to outline how their services bring social value and local impact to our residents. This information would be used as a basis for ongoing discussion over opportunities for the Council and VCOs to work closer together to bring benefits for residents and the local area

ii)    Reduces the current offer of 100% relief  to charity gift shops to 80%, but retains our offer of 100% relief to youth centres, counseling centres and voluntary aided schools

iii)   Shift from currently automatically offering 100% relief to all VCOs that are receiving funding from the Council (funding includes grants, contracts and discounted rent), to making a case by case assessment in the future. During the case by case assessment, the Council would assess (i) how the VCO intends to use the additional relief to directly support the activities that the Council is funding (ii) social value, and (iii) the financial case for offering the additional relief.   

iv)   Updates the existing categories of VCO that can claim 80% discretionary relief under the policy to also include:

a)    employment and skills support services

b)    organisations that promote health and wellbeing for local residents and a clean local environment

c)    organisations that work with groups of residents who are vulnerable or have additional needs e.g. working with those with special educational needs and disabilities, isolated individuals and children whose welfare is at risk

d)    children’s playgroups

Reasons for decision

Haringey’s discretionary business rates relief policy has not been updated since 1990.

There have been significant changes to the policy, legal and financial frameworks that govern business rates and these changes present an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 214