Agenda and draft minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Cabinet Member referred those present to agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and asked that those present reviewed and noted the information contained therein.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

None.

The report will seek  Cabinet Member approval for the release of the  consultation on the proposed Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy for a period of 11 weeks, from 12^th November 2015 to 28^th January 2016.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval for the release of the consultation on the proposed Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy for a period of 11 weeks, from 12^th November 2015 to 28^th January 2016.

The Cabinet Member noted that there would be a cost impact to the Council, as offering relief would reduce the level of income received from Business Rates. However, the aim was to attract new businesses into Haringey and to generate growth. In order to limit the financial impact on the Council it was proposed that the relief could be time limited to a period of three years.

The Cabinet Member also noted that under Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), Council Tax payers were a key stakeholder group that needed to be consulted with, and that any relief granted should be in the interests of Council Tax payers.

In response to a question on how other key groups would be engaged with on these proposals, Officers advised that a number of consultation meetings would be held with different stakeholders to ensure that a wide array of responses was sought. Officers also advised that the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement may include changes to national reliefs for small business and reoccupation relief and that these had not been specifically included in the consultation as the Autumn Statement was not due until 25^th November.

In response to a question about whether the relief policy could be targeted to a specific group, without having explicitly targeted the consultation process to that group, officers advised that if required proposals could be formalised during the Council’s budget setting process.

The Cabinet Member requested that ward Councillors be updated about consultation meetings within their wards.

RESOLVED

I). That the Council consult on its Discretionary Business Rates Relief

Policy for a period of 11 weeks, from 12^th November 2015 – 28^th January

2016; and

II). The consultation sought views on the following proposals:

a)    Introducing a new criteria for private organisations which specifically supports growth of the B1 class enterprises;

b)    Incorporate the option into a new policy to offer support to initiatives that support our aim to have thriving high streets and ‘kick start’ regeneration projects and developments;

c)    Changing the level of relief we currently offer to some types of VCO that will bring us into line with neighbouring boroughs and takes into consideration the social value contribution to Haringey and our residents.

To consider any items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 2 above.

N/A