Decision details

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report gave details of new and renewal applications for discretionary rate relief and discretionary rural rate relief which were considered in accordance with the previously agreed criteria for determining such applications.

The practice of advising organisations that there could be a reduction in the level of relief awarded in the future was endorsed.  It was considered that the re-applications from the Tonbridge Juddians RFC and K Sports Management Limited should be deferred to enable a review of their accounts and level of business activity.  A requirement for organisations to reapply every two years was generally favoured with the exception of scout/guides groups which were regarded as “de minimis” in terms of the level of relief awarded.

Following consideration by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property resolved that:

(1)                 consideration of the re-applications from the Tonbridge Juddians RFC and K Sports Management Limited be deferred pending receipt of their accounts and a review of the level of relief awarded;

(2)                 organisations generally be asked to reapply for relief every two years with the exception of scout/guides groups;

(3)                 subject to (1) and (2) above, in respect of the re-applications, discretionary rate relief  and discretionary rural rate relief be awarded as set out at Annexes 3 and 4 to the report respectively, with effect from 1 April 2018 and time limited to 31 March 2020 (with the exception of scout/guides groups which shall have no time limit); and

(4)                 the new applications for discretionary rate relief be determined as follows:

Ellenor, Part Unit 1e, Mereworth Business Centre, Danns Lane, Wateringbury – 20% discretionary rate relief be awarded, backdated to 1 April 2017 and time limited to 31 March 2020;

The Wheels on Debussy, 6 Angel Walk, Tonbridge – 100% discretionary rate relief be awarded, time limited to 31 March 2020.

[Councillor N Heslop declared an Other Significant Interest as a member of the Board of the Bridge Trust and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.]