Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 27, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 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