In February 2007, Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council made the decision to end discretionary rate relief with effect from April 2008, with a view to saving over £40,000. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has now invited some representatives of local groups and umbrella organisations to discuss the impact this will have on the budgets of those organisations.
2
Recommendations
2.1
To determine whether any further research is required; and
2.2
To make any recommendations deemed necessary to the Policy Committee or full Council.
3
Report
3.1
In February 2007, Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council had to set a budget within tight spending constraints. The Council had to consider a number of proposed cost savings, including one concerning discretionary rate relief, and it was agreed to end discretionary rate relief with effect from April 2008, with a view to saving over £40,000 (details attached in Appendix 1).
3.2
Discretionary rate relief has previously been granted to local voluntary organisations, sports clubs and small rural businesses. Removal of this benefit will have an impact on the budgets of these organisations, although sports clubs which previously had received 100% discretionary rate relief had, since 2001, the option of registering under the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme (CASC) which would entitle them to 80% mandatory rate relief, met by central government, thereby reducing the affect of the removal of the discretionary rate relief.
3.3
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has invited some representatives of local groups to attend its meeting on 23rd August to discuss the impact this will have on the budgets of those organisations. Members may then wish to consider whether any further research is required following this meeting, or whether there are recommendations that the Committee wishes to put forward to the Policy Committee or full Council.
4
Implications
4.1
Comments from the Council’s Section 151 Officer
No comments.
4.2
Comments from the Council’s Monitoring Officer
No comments.
4.3
Comments from the Head of Paid Service
None arising directly from this report.
4.4
Local Agenda 21
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to the environment are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
4.5
Equality
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to equality and diversity are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
4.6
Crime and Disorder
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to crime and disorder are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
