Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance Decision Meeting

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 6, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet Member for Finance requested further information on the criteria used to make the decision whether to be able to grant Rate Relief to organisations.   The Business Manager for Environment, Revenues and Welfare explained that those charitable organisations and those with a community interest received an 80% relief from the government and were looking to receive discretionary Rate relief on the remaining 20%. Each applicant needed to submit their accounts and decisions were based on the balance of their funds.  If they held sufficient funds to continue trading for twelve months then they would not normally be eligible to receive additional rate relief as they would have sufficient funds to pay their business rate liability . Some applicants were designated as approved for a ‘10% top up’ rather than the full 20% relief.   It was asked whether late applications were accepted.  It was explained that whilst not encouraged, some organisations had not been aware of the relief available from the previous year and their applications had been considered.