To approve a new Discretionary Rate Relief Charter to facilitate a revised “Policy for Awarding Discretionary Rate Relief” that will be implemented in April 2015.

THAT:

(a)       Cabinet approve the Discretionary Rate Relief Charter, as set out in the Appendix to the report, so that a revised “Policy for Awarding Discretionary Rate Relief” can be introduced in April 2015.

To implement a new charter that will link the distribution of NNDR Discretionary Relief to the delivery of activities and services which directly benefit Herefordshire residents.

The existing policy could continue, or other alternatives could be pursued, including options to remove all or other sections of National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) Discretionary Relief.