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Following
consideration of the officer report, appendices and
discussion, the
Executive resolved to agree and recommend to Full Council:

That the Non-Domestic Rating
Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship policy is amended to prevent
Private Schools from applying for assistance in anticipation of the
changes to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The recommended
wording is to be found in Appendix D of the policy and states:
‘The ratepayer must not fall within the definition of a
Private School. For business rates purposes, ‘Private
Schools’ are defined by HM Treasury as schools at which full
time education is provided for pupils of compulsory school age
where fees are payable.’ 

To delegate authority to the
Council’s Section 151 Officer in consultation with the
Monitoring Officer to make any additional amendments as necessary
to ensure the wording aligns with that Act once such amendments
come into force.  

To reduce the relief percentage
within the policy for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector for
2025/26 from 75% to 40% as a result of
changes to Central Government policy. 

To end Local Newspaper Relief in
line with Central Government policy.