The Rating Advisory Panel of Westminster Council was scheduled to convene on Tuesday 27 January 2026. The agenda indicated that the panel would consider applications for National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) discretionary and hardship relief.

NNDR Discretionary and Hardship Relief Applications

The primary focus of the meeting was scheduled to be the consideration of applications for National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) discretionary and hardship relief. This type of relief allows local authorities to reduce the business rates paid by certain businesses that are experiencing financial difficulties or are considered to be of particular benefit to the local community. The agenda did not specify the individual applications that were to be presented to the panel.

The meeting was also scheduled to note any changes to the membership of the Rating Advisory Panel and to receive declarations of interest from Members and Officers regarding any pecuniary or other significant interests in the matters on the agenda. Additionally, the agenda indicated that there would be a session where the public and press would be excluded from the meeting due to the likely disclosure of exempt information, as permitted under the Local Government Act 1972. This exclusion was recommended on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.