The CPH Resources Decision Session was scheduled to convene for a virtual meeting to address financial matters concerning Solihull Council. Councillor Bob Sleigh OBE, Cabinet Portfolio Holder - Resources, was expected to consider appeals for discretionary rate relief, review a debt monitoring report, and discuss applications for hardship relief. The meeting was also scheduled to address questions from residents of the borough, if any were submitted.

Debt Monitoring Report

The Cabinet Member for Resources was scheduled to review the council's debt monitoring report for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The report was intended to provide a high-level overview of debts owed to the council as of 30 June 2025, including actions taken to recover these debts and those deemed unrecoverable and recommended for write-off.

The report noted that at the end of June 2025, the overall council tax collection was 29.52%, which is 0.01% ahead compared to this time last year. The council tax collection target is to collect 98.81% in three years, and the report states that this has been met for 2022/23.

At the end of June 2025, business rates collection was 28.08%, which is 4.11% behind compared to this time last year. The report stated that a thorough review had been carried out, and since the end of quarter 1, the collection rate has improved.

The report also included information on sundry income collection, housing benefit overpayment collection, and rent collection. Solihull Community Housing (SCH) benchmarks its rent arrears position in line with Housemark key performance indicators (KPIs). As of 30 June 2025, rent arrears were 3.38%.

The Cabinet Member for Resources was also scheduled to consider the write-off of uncollectable debts. The report noted that the Director of Resources has delegated authority to write off uncollectable debt under £10,000. Debts over £10,000 require authorisation by the Cabinet Member for Resources.

Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief

Councillor Bob Sleigh OBE was scheduled to consider applications for discretionary rate relief from several organisations. Discretionary rate relief is available to support charities and not-for-profit organisations that are liable for business rates¹. Charities are eligible for 80% mandatory relief, so a maximum of 20% discretionary rate relief can be considered. Not-for-profit organisations are not eligible for mandatory relief, so up to 100% discretionary rate relief can be considered.

Each application for relief is supported by a scorecard. The purpose of each scorecard is to ensure relief is awarded to those charities and not-for-profit organisations who are most in need.

The organisations that applied for discretionary rate relief were:

• The Childrens Storehouse (Jubilee Church Solihull), located at First Floor 141 High Street, Solihull, B91 3ST. The Childrens Storehouse provides clothing and equipment to local families in need. They applied for 20% discretionary relief. It was noted that there was no new evidence or information which demonstrates that the Children's Storehouse is a separate entity to Jubilee Church.
• Acorns Childrens Hospice Trust for premises at 40-42 Greenwood Way, Birmingham, B37 5TP and 4-5 West Mall, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham B37 5TN. Acorns Children's Hospice Trust use the premises for two charity shops which offer recycled clothing, furnishings and furniture for sale. They applied for 20% discretionary relief.
• True Fitness CIC located at First Floor Front 7-9 Richmond Road, Solihull, B92 7RN. True Fitness run a community-centred gym promoting inclusivity for all. They applied for 100% discretionary relief. It was noted that True Fitness CIC made a surplus in each year reviewed, with a net profit of £9,852 in the year ending June 2024 and £9,731 in the year ending June 2023.
• Miss Macaroon Limited for premises at Unit SU45, Resorts World Birmingham, Pendigo Way, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1PU. Miss Macaroon are a regional social enterprise business. 100% of their profits are reinvested to help unemployed young people gain skills that will help to change their lives. They applied for 100% discretionary rate relief.
• The Lily Mae Foundation located at 10 Balsall Street East, Balsall Common, Solihull, CV7 7FR. The Lily Mae Foundation provides ongoing help and support to those who suffer the devastating loss of a baby at any gestation. They applied for 20% discretionary relief.

Applications for Hardship Relief

The agenda included consideration of two applications for hardship relief. The details of these applications were not included in the public report pack.