Members received a report updating them on the 100% retention of business rates prospectus recently issued by DCLG inviting local authorities to submit bids to become pilots for 2018/19 and the work currently being undertaken by Leicestershire Treasurers in preparing a submission.
Members were advised that further discussions would take place with partners before the final bid was submitted on 27 October. Members were also reassured that the splits of business rates set out within the pilot were not fixed beyond 2020 and this may be different.
Following discussion, members noted the value of the additional £19m that would be secured for the county geographical area as a whole, regardless of the split across the partners, although they were minded to pressure partners to allocate funding within the borough if possible.
Questions were asked about the impact of appeals and members were advised that the pilot should not put us at greater risk of appeal losses for the period.
It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Surtees and
RESOLVED –
(i) The inclusion of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council as a partner body in the one-year pilot bid for the Leicester and Leicestershire area for 2018/19 be approved;
(ii) The approval of the final version of the bid be delegated to the Head of Finance in consultation with the Leader of Council;
(iii) The expectation of HBBC to be consulted and engaged on the final splits between partner districts be actioned.