Issue - meetings

A report giving details of renewal applications for discretionary rate relief.  Details of new applications for discretionary rate relief and amendments to previous awards are also brought forward for Members’ consideration.

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report detailed renewal and new applications for discretionary rate relief together with amendments to previous awards.

Since the last meeting of the Advisory Board, there had been one new application for rate relief from the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust which Members were asked to consider.

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

(1)         in respect of the reapplications for relief (as set out at Annex 2) discretionary rate relief be awarded with effect from 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023;

(2)         in respect of the renewal application for 1^st Ditton Scout Group, the award of 20% discretionary relief be amended to show no time limit;

(3)         in respect of the renewal application for K Sports Management Ltd, the award of 90% discretionary relief be amended to 70% discretionary relief for the period 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023; and

(4)         in respect of the application for Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, discretionary rate relief of 20% be awarded with effect from 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023.

(Decision Notice D210089MEM)

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation gave details of renewal applications and new applications for discretionary rate relief together with amendments to previous awards.  Since the last meeting of the Advisory Board, there had been one new application for rate relief from the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust which Members were asked to consider.

Particular attention was brought to the Council’s own financial position, which remained challenging and it was important to recognise that whilst it may be possible to provide the level of assistance at the current time, it may not be sustainable into the future.  Members were therefore asked to consider that, when writing to the organisations concerned, it would be prudent to advise that there could be a reduction in the level of relief awarded by the Council in the future should further applications for relief be made.

Members were made aware of an error in paragraph 1.3.4 of the report, whereby it was incorrectly stated that the property was used as the Leisure Trust’s head office, when in fact it was for the provision of outdoor sporting facilities.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)         in respect of the reapplications for relief (as set out at Annex 2) discretionary rate relief be awarded with effect from 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023;

(2)         in respect of the renewal application for 1^st Ditton Scout Group, the award of 20% discretionary relief be amended to show no time limit;

(3)         in respect of the renewal application for K Sports Management Ltd, the award of 90% discretionary relief be amended to 70% discretionary relief for the period 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023; and

(4)         in respect of the application for Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, discretionary rate relief of 20% be awarded with effect from 1 July 2021 and time limited to 31 March 2023.