Purpose

Report to seek approval to adopt the
Council’s updated Discretionary Rate Relief Guidance at
appendix 1.

Decision

The discretionary business rates relief
guidance at appendix 1 is adopted.

Reasons for the decision

The adoption of the National Non-Domestic
Rates - Discretionary Relief Guidance ensures fair and consistent
decision making and reduced the risk of legal challenge.

Alternative options considered

The Council could choose not to adopt
guidance. To do so would introduce ambiguity into the process of
exercising discretion in relation to business rates. Such ambiguity
may lead to inequity in the decision making of the Council’s
executive.