Decision details

The Director of Resources submitted a report updating committee on the Covid 19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) and requesting a decision on the next steps regarding granting relief to eligible applicants and determining what to do with the remaining funding.

Members were reminded that liability for business rates was based upon the rateable value of a property that were set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Between valuations rateable values can only be changed to reflect ‘material changes of circumstances’ which the Government believed did not include the impact of coronavirus. In recognition of this they introduced the Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Bill and announced a new Covid 19 Additional Relief Fund of £1.5 billion to support businesses affected by the pandemic that were ineligible for the existing support linked to business rates.

Guidance had been received from the Government and an allocation of £1,239,191 had been made to Ribble Valley BC.

The guidance outlined that the billing authority was responsible for designing a discretionary relief scheme in their area, but must not award relief to ratepayers who had received Expanded Retail Discount or Nursery Discount and must support those directly adversely affected by the pandemic.

Members were advised that an application window had been opened for eligible businesses to apply which closed on 28 February 2022. 33 applications had been received, of which 28 were eligible. These had been paid an initial relief of 50% of their net rates payable for 2021/22 totalling £161,353.21

It was suggested that a second application window be opened after the start of the new financial year, where eligible businesses would be contacted again to encourage them to apply for the funding.

The additional funded was welcomed by committee.

Councillor Mirfin was given permission to speak on this item.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agree to award CARF at the initial rate of 50% of the net rates payable for 2021/22 to the eligible applicants as detailed in the report, and

2.    Agree to open another application round after the start of the new financial year.