Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval
to implement flood recovery schemes administered by the department
for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the
Department for Business and Trade (DBT) within the Borough of
Gedling as follows:
•Community Recovery Grant
•Council Tax Discount
•Business Rates Relief
•Business Recovery Grant
The report seeks approval to delegate administration of the schemes
to Director level in accordance with Government guidance and to
agree to the terms of any Memoranda of Understanding between the
Council and DLUHC / DBT as necessary.
The report also seeks establishment of necessary budgets to
facilitate payment under the schemes.

Decision

THAT the Portfolio Holder for Resources and
Reputation:
1)Approves the implementation the following Flood Recovery Schemes
triggered as a result of Storm Henk:
•Community Recovery Grant
•Council Tax Discount
•Business Rates Relief
•Business Recovery Grant
2)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer
and determine applications for discretionary reduction in council
tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act
1992 in relation to persons whose dwellings have been flooded or
rendered “unliveable” as a result of flooding caused by
Storm Henk in the Borough of Gedling, in line with Government
guidance.
3)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer
and determine applications for discretionary reduction in business
rates under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in
relation to persons and companies whose businesses have been
rendered unable to trade from the affected premises as a result of
flooding caused by Storm Henk in the Borough of Gedling, in line
with Government guidance.
4)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer
and determine applications for the Community Recovery Grant of
£500 per household, where the household has been internally
flooded or is deemed to be “unliveable” for a period
greater than 48 hours as a result of Storm Henk, in line with
Government guidance.
5)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer
and determine applications for the Business Recovery Grant of
£2,500 per business where the business has been directly or
indirectly impacted as a result of Storm Henk, in line with
Government guidance.
6)Delegates authority to Director level to complete any Memorandum
of Understanding issued by DLHUC and DBT in relation to the Flood
Recovery schemes.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure swift implementation of flood
recovery schemes so that those residents and businesses impacted by
Storm Henk can receive some financial support.
The delegations are requested to ensure that no unnecessary burden
is placed on the Executive.

Alternative options considered

An alternative would be not to implement
schemes locally, and establish necessary budgets, however this
would be contrary to Government expectation and recommendation and
would not enable financial support to those households and
businesses impacted by Storm Henk.
Administration and determination of the schemes could remain with
the Executive, however it is considered for expediency that
delegation to Director level will ensure decisions are taken
without overburdening the executive.