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Recommendations:
1.1. Agree to open a new Discretionary Rate
Relief (DRR) programme for 2026 – 2029.
1.2. Agree that whilst this is a new
Discretionary Rate Relief (DRR) programme, all organisations must
reapply, regardless of any previous awards. This ensures a fair
opportunity for new applicants to access support. However, the
existing DRR policy remains unchanged and will continue to apply
throughout the programme.
1.3. Agree the council’s commitment to
forego up to £410,000 per year in income from business rates
that would otherwise be due, allowing the council to use this
forgone income to support independent charities, voluntary and
community sector organisations and other not-for-profit
organisations. Foregoing this income enables the council to
leverage an additional £1.376m of relief into the borough
which is then paid to organisations alongside the council’s
rate relief contribution.
1.4. Continue the delegation for award
decisions to be taken by the Corporate Director for Health and
Social Care, following consultation with the Executive Member for
Equalities, Communities and Inclusion, and for this arrangement to
continue for the duration of the programme, or until the agreed
foregone income levels are reached.
 
 

Decisions:
AGREED 1.
recommendations.
2. That thanks be
expressed to all staff teams involved in this work.
 
Reasons for the
decision – as
detailed in the report
Other options
considered – as
detailed in the report
Conflicts of
interest / dispensations granted – none