Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

Councillor Wilkins declared an interest in this item and remained present during discussions.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Chief Officer Resources noted the lateness of the report which had been due to the confirmation from Welsh Government that the scheme would be extended to 2021/22. The Chief Officer referred to the report which sought adoption from the Executive Committee on behalf of the Council, of the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief – 2021/22 scheme(RLHRR), as a section 47 discretionary rate relief for 2021/22.

The Chief Officer advised that during the Covid-19 response and recovery Welsh Government had frozen business rates for 2021/22 at 2020/21 levels. In order to provide a fiscal stimulus for businesses in Wales, Welsh Government announced the extension for grant funding to provide the RLHRR scheme for 2021/22. The actual funding allocation for Blaenau Gwent for the 2021/22 scheme had yet to be confirmed, however an estimated allocation of £3.5M to allow delivery of the scheme was anticipated which based on an initial assessment would benefit 328 business as a result of adoption of the RLHRR scheme.

The Leader welcomed the report and the continued support from Welsh Government in this area.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 2; namely the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief – 2021/22 scheme be adopted on behalf of the Council, to supplement the Council’s discretionary rate relief scheme.