Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

The Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources in relation to the Locally Administered Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for businesses that have had a significant increase in their Business rate liability consequential from the Government’s 2017 revaluation.

It was moved by Councillor Lappin, seconded by Councillor Roche and

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Locally Administered Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for those ratepayers adversely impacted by the 2017 revaluations as set out within the report, be approved.

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources in relation to Discretionary Relief for Business Rates following the Revaluation of 2017.

The local authority had received a letter from DCLG - dated 21 July 2017 that provided an update on the application of the discretionary relief for business rates.

This letter had no material impact on the content of the report to Council. A copy of the letter would be shared with Members for their information.  

Decision Made:

That the proposed Locally Administered Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for those ratepayers adversely impacted by the 2017 revaluation, as set out in the report be approved and be commended to the Council for approval.

Reasons for the Decision:

The Council is expected to use a Locally Administered Discretionary Revaluation Relief scheme in order to distribute the  additional funding received from central Government to  those businesses in Sefton that have seen the steepest increases in their Business Rates bills as a result of the 2017 Revaluation.

The Government has stated that local government is best placed to determine how this fund should be targeted and administered to support those businesses and locations within their area that are in greatest need.

The proposed Locally Administered Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme is designed to mirror the criteria used by the Government  when determining the amount of grant to the local authority, and initially be targeted at those properties in Sefton that have a rateable value of under £200,000RV and who have suffered a loss (before other reliefs have been applied) of more than 12.5%. Any remaining funds will be considered for distribution to other businesses in Sefton experiencing an increase in business rates as a result of revaluation and whose circumstances are such that the authority wishes to provide more assistance.

These measures sit in the context of the Council’s wider economic growth priorities for the Borough. The proposed scheme is designed to support economic growth ensuring businesses thrive and develop. Growth is key to realising the ambitions of the Vision 2030 where Sefton Council aims to lay the foundations for long-term self-sustaining economic prosperity. The distribution of this additional financial support by Sefton Council will provide real, measurable and practical benefits to those businesses targeted to receive help under the scheme.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The alternative option would be not to make available discretionary support to businesses affected by Business Rates revaluation. Such course of action would fail to support our local businesses or utilise the extra funding made available to the Council by the Government.