Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 August 2017.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Surtees and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 23 August be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To inform members of the acquisition of 6 new apartments at Ferry Pickering Close Hinckley and completion of 30 new council dwellings at Southfield Road Hinckley, and to request a local lettings policy be introduced for allocation of these properties

Members received a report which sought approval of local lettings policies for six new apartments at Ferry Pickering Close and 30 new dwellings at Southfield Road. It was moved by Councillor Wallace, seconded by Councillor Cook and

RESOLVED –

(i)            A local lettings policy for both schemes be adopted in order to encourage a balanced and sustainable community;

(ii)           The local lettings policy for Ferry Pickering Close be reviewed on an annual basis;

(iii)          The local lettings policy for Southfield Road be used for the first lettings of the properties only.

To inform the committee of business formalisation of the council’s Enterprise Zone relief policy arrangement.

A report seeking adoption of a business rates enterprise zone relief policy was presented to members. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED – the Business Rates Enterprise Zone Relief Policy be approved.

To inform members of a proposed change to the discretionary business rates relief policy to encourage inward investment into the area by new businesses.

Members received a report seeking adoption of a discretionary business rates relief policy to encourage inward investment into the area by new businesses. Members sought clarification regarding maximum levels of relief and they were advised that all reliefs would be subject to state aid maximums. Following discussion, it was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED – the new incentive policy of 50% for two years for businesses representing a new economic activity for the Leicestershire area and meeting relevant criteria be adopted.

To advise Members of additional business rate relief schemes arising from the Government’s Spring Budget and to agree the recommendations below.

A report was presented to members setting out business rate relief schemes arising from the government’s spring budget. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Public Houses Relief Scheme be approved;

(ii)           The Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme be approved.

On the motion of Councillor Morrell seconded by Councillor Allen, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

This report was marked ‘to follow’ on the agenda for the meeting. It is to be taken in private session due to relating to business and financial affairs of third parties and the information contained being provisional and subject to a bid to DCLG.

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.