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

Decision

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

I.       That relief of up to £1,500 a year be awarded from 1 April 2017 for 2 years to office space occupied by local newspapers.  The relief 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 relief, the definition of "local newspaper" be considered to be a "traditional local newspaper" and that relief will not be available to magazines.