Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement flood recovery schemes administered by the department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) within the Borough of Gedling as follows:
•Community Recovery Grant
•Council Tax Discount
•Business Rates Relief
•Business Recovery Grant
The report seeks approval to delegate administration of the schemes to Director level in accordance with Government guidance and to agree to the terms of any Memoranda of Understanding between the Council and DLUHC / DBT as necessary.
The report also seeks establishment of necessary budgets to facilitate payment under the schemes.

Decision

THAT the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Reputation:
1)Approves the implementation the following Flood Recovery Schemes triggered as a result of Storm Henk:
•Community Recovery Grant
•Council Tax Discount
•Business Rates Relief
•Business Recovery Grant
2)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer and determine applications for discretionary reduction in council tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to persons whose dwellings have been flooded or rendered “unliveable” as a result of flooding caused by Storm Henk in the Borough of Gedling, in line with Government guidance.
3)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer and determine applications for discretionary reduction in business rates under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in relation to persons and companies whose businesses have been rendered unable to trade from the affected premises as a result of flooding caused by Storm Henk in the Borough of Gedling, in line with Government guidance.
4)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer and determine applications for the Community Recovery Grant of £500 per household, where the household has been internally flooded or is deemed to be “unliveable” for a period greater than 48 hours as a result of Storm Henk, in line with Government guidance.
5)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer and determine applications for the Business Recovery Grant of £2,500 per business where the business has been directly or indirectly impacted as a result of Storm Henk, in line with Government guidance.
6)Delegates authority to Director level to complete any Memorandum of Understanding issued by DLHUC and DBT in relation to the Flood Recovery schemes.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure swift implementation of flood recovery schemes so that those residents and businesses impacted by Storm Henk can receive some financial support.
The delegations are requested to ensure that no unnecessary burden is placed on the Executive.

Alternative options considered

An alternative would be not to implement schemes locally, and establish necessary budgets, however this would be contrary to Government expectation and recommendation and would not enable financial support to those households and businesses impacted by Storm Henk.
Administration and determination of the schemes could remain with the Executive, however it is considered for expediency that delegation to Director level will ensure decisions are taken without overburdening the executive.