Decision details

Cabinet considered a number of changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy which had been approved by the Cheshire East Shadow Council in 2008.  Since that time, however, changes in non-domestic rate legislation had led to some anomalies, and other areas of the Policy needed to be updated, to prevent loss of revenue and ineligible or fraudulent relief being awarded.  It was intended that entitlement to relief then be reviewed every three years. 

Corporate Scrutiny had reviewed the report and its comments had been considered by the Cabinet and circulated at the meeting.  In respect of the comments concerning possible hardship the Portfolio Holder for Finance requested that an additional recommendation be added as follows:

To identify those organisations who from consultation response or from our knowledge of their activities may require hardship relief, and to assist those organisations with an application where appropriate.

RESOLVED

1.    That the wording of the policy be amended so that ratepayers, applying for discretionary relief only, must also apply for Small Business Rate Relief if eligible.

2.    That 50% Rural Settlement top-up Relief be awarded from 1 April 2011 to ratepayers who qualify for all categories of mandatory rural settlement relief.

3.    That all awards of legacy protection be removed and that grant relief be awarded to ratepayers solely in accordance with the Cheshire East Policy.

4.    That the Rural Settlement List be updated following recent boundary changes in Cheshire East; that Styal and Kerridge to be added to the list and the settlement of Leighton removed from it following an increase in population.

5.    That from 1 April 2012 Cabinet consider applications for discretionary rate relief under S 47 (5A) LGFA 1988 to determine whether applications are in the Council Tax payers’ interests.

6.    That those organisations who, from consultation response or from  knowledge of their activities, may require hardship relief, be identified and assisted with an application where appropriate.