The Head of Financial Services had submitted a report seeking agreement to an updated National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief Policy for 2018-2022.

The Service Manager for  Revenue & Benefits, introduced the report which reflected a number of changes to the rate reliefs which the Council had implemented since 2015.  These changes included removing Retail Relief, Long Term Empty Property Relief, New Build Empty Properties and Flooding Relief (all of which had been time limited). It was anticipated that 100% relief for public toilets will be able to be granted in the near future this is dependent on change to  primary legislation. (It was confirmed after the meeting that the total rates payable in 2017/18 for the City’s 12 public toilets is a little under £14k  which is the amount of grant which could be claimed back).

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.            Approve the updated National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) Discretionary Rate Relief policy as attached at Appendix 1 and;

2.            Agree to grant 100% discretionary relief for Public toilets from 1/4/18 if the bar is lifted on giving rate relief to local authorities by then.