Decision

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in regard to an update on progress made under the Business Rates Pool (Shared Growth Fund) Programme, approved by Cabinet on 30 June 2025 (Minute Number CB 25/74), which built upon the previous Business Rates Retention Pilot and Pool Programme (2019–2026).

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the legal implications and the assessment of risk.

In recognition of investing in the local economy to help support residents and businesses, and that Kent County Council had accepted investment into leisure facilities as providing an economic benefit (through their support for investment in Larkfield Lesure Centre), Councillor Coffin (Chair) proposed, Councillor Betts seconded and it was

RESOLVED: That

(1)        progress on the Business Rates Retention Pilot and Pool Programme and the Business Rates Pool (Shared Growth Fund) Programme, be noted;

(2)    the reallocation of the Funding Bid Preparation Pot in the original Business Rates Pool (Shared Growth Fund) Programme to the Green Business Grant Scheme, ahead of Round 7, as set out in 5.8 of the report, be approved; and

(3)    the allocation of the additional £270,000 Business Rates Pool (Shared Growth Fund) funding to decarbonise Poult Wood Golf Club, as set out in Section 7 of the report, be approved.