(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)
Details were given of a Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on proposals for reforming the business rates appeals system to provide a quicker, clearer and more transparent service to businesses. A copy of the response submitted by the 4 January 2016 deadline, following consultation with the Leader, Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property and Chairman of the Advisory Board, was set out at Annex 1 to the report.
An update was also provided on the Business Rates Pool for Kent authorities, with Dover District Council leaving and Dartford Borough Council joining the pool.
Following consideration by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property resolved that:
The response to the consultation set out at Annex 1 to the report, as agreed with the Leader, Cabinet Member and Chairman, be endorsed.