Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report sets out the background to business rate collection and the efforts the Council makes to maximise rates generation.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the background and context to the collection of business rates and outlining some of the challenges for the Council in maximising collection rates.

The following comments were made / issues raised:-

·         Further information was requested in relation to number of officers involved in the collection of rates. In response it was stated that there was a small team who could work across both Business Rates and Council Tax collection. Some of the initiatives trialled with Business Rates collection were now being rolled-out in relation to Council Tax.

·         Councillors expressed surprise at the length of the time the Council had been involved in legal action in relation to a challenge over liability. The importance of the implications of this judgement were stressed and an undertaking given to report back to the Committee.

·         It was queried whether business rate levels were impacting on the viability of pubs. In response it was stated that pubs were closing, but that it could not be correlated with business rates. It was also stated that there were examples of publicans seeking to avoid business rates.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to provide members with details of the number of businesses receiving Small Business Rates Relief.