Issue - decisions

Summary of Decision

The Rating Advisory Panel has set out the reasons for the recommendations in each case considered by the Panel in the recommendations enclosed in the report.

Background Information

The Rating Advisory Panel is an advisory body of elected members.

The Rating Advisory Panel considers applications for NNDR Discretionary and Hardship relief and makes recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform. The Cabinet Member is then asked to determine the applications for Discretionary and Hardship relief having regard to the recommendations of the Rating Advisory Panel.

The Localism Act 2011, which came into effect on 1 April 2012, amends Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to allow local authorities to grant Discretionary reliefs to any ratepayer, subject to the European rules on State Aid. This relief is known as a ‘Local Discount’.