Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Interim Director of Resources presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the deadline for submission of the bid was 27 October and therefore the Chairman of the Council had approved an exemption to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules in relation to call-in.  He went on to explain that if successful, the Council would partake in a one year pilot with the remainder of Leicestershire.  Financial modelling indicated that an additional sum of approximately £18.9 million could be retained and shared across Leicestershire towards infrastructure and housing growth, town centre enhancements and financial sustainability.  He believed that Leicestershire was likely to have a strong case for becoming a pilot since there was already an existing pool in place with proven governance arrangements.

Councillor R Blunt commented that the principle of working together regionally had been discussed for some time and  he felt it was important to put this into practice.  He was in full support of the proposal.

Councillor A V Smith also supported the proposals and believed that working together would generate good outcomes.

Councillor T J Pendleton felt that the Council would benefit in the long run and supported the proposals.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)      The application to become a business rate pilot for 2018-19 as part of a Leicestershire wide business rates pilot bid to pioneer new pooling and tier split models be supported.

b)      The authority to agree the detail of the business rate pilot bid, in conjunction with other Leicestershire local authorities, with respect to the financial aspects and overall governance of the pilot bid be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder.

c)      The authority to submit a joint bid, in conjunction with other Leicestershire local authorities, and enter into a pilot agreement with DCLG if that bid outcome is successful be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  Requirement of Financial Procedure Rules