To obtain committees agreement in awarding rates relief, as recommended by government.

Decision

1             That Committee agrees to use its powers under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to award rates relief as follows:

                              I.        That 50% discretionary rate relief be awarded to those ratepayers who are eligible to receive 50% mandatory rural rate relief from 1 April 2017

                            II.        That relief of up to a maximum of £1,500 a year, be awarded from 1 April 2017 for 2 years to office space occupied by local newspapers.  The relief is to be awarded as follows:

·         That a maximum of one discount be awarded per local newspaper title and per hereditament, for two years from 1 April 2017 (subject to state aid limits)

·         That the hereditament must be occupied by a local newspaper and wholly or mainly used as office premises for journalists and reporters

·         For the purpose of awarding the discount, the definition of "local newspaper" be considered to be a "traditional local newspaper" and that relief will not be available to magazines.