Agenda and minutes

24/15             

The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Percy Moysey, who had been a District Councillor for twenty-six years from 1973 to 1999.

As a mark of respect, the Council proceeded to stand and observe a moment’s reflection.

Members are invited to declare any personal; or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

25/15 

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting but there was none made.

to consider a report that seeks to revoke the interim planning obligations decision that were agreed at full Council on 12 February 2015;

26/15             

Following a successful legal challenge by Reading and West Berkshire Councils, the Council considered a report that sought to revoke the interim planning obligations decisions that were agreed at full Council on 12 February 2015 (Minute 67/14 refers).

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

(a)    Assurances were given that, since the initial decision of the Council on 12 February 2015 was for an interim period, there were no procedural irregularities regarding this agenda item;

(b)    In applauding the decision, some Members were of the view that the Council should send its congratulations to Reading and West Berkshire Councils for all their efforts in this regard;

(c)    Some Members also expressed their disappointment that the government had applied for leave to appeal this decision.  As a consequence, it was felt that the LGA should be lobbying central government in an attempt to ask that they withdraw this application.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the interim planning obligations decision (as agreed at full Council on 12 February 2015 (Minute 67/14 refers)) be revoked.

to consider a report that recommends that the Council utilises its powers to apply discretionary business rate relief

27/15                 

A report was considered that recommended that the Council utilised its powers to apply discretionary business rate relief.

In introducing the agenda item, the lead Executive Member for Business Development provided an update on the discussions which took place at the Executive meeting earlier (Minute E.19/15 refers).  In particular, the Member highlighted the justification behind the additional recommendations which had been generated by the Executive.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.       That local businesses be offered discretionary business rate relief where it is in the interest of local Council taxpayers to do so;

2.       That a new discretionary business rate relief policy (as outlined at Appendix 1 of the presented agenda report) be ratified;

3.       That the rate relief application form (as outlined at Appendix 2 of the presented agenda report) be approved;

4.       That decisions made by the Panel be referred to the Audit Committee;

5.       That the relevant local Ward Member(s) be invited to attend Panel meetings;

6.       That authority be delegated to the Group Manager – Business Development, in consultation with the lead Executive Member to make minor legal amendments (as appropriate) to the Policy; and

7.       That the Policy be reviewed after one year.