Agenda and decisions

Salford City Council - Record of Decision

I, Councillor Hinds, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services, in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution, do hereby approve:

-       The proposal to continue awarding Discretionary Rate Relief for the year 2019/20 for those ratepayers already in receipt of awards in 2018/19.

-       The revised arrangements for making new awards and considering appeals.

Assessment of Risk:

Ratepayers that are currently in receipt of the discretionary rate relief award must be given at least one year notice of the decision to revoke or a variation taking effect at the expiry of a financial year.  In accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended).  It is intended for financial year 2020/21 the scheme will be reviewed as part of the 2019/20 Service Reform Business Rates business plan working in collaboration with the Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and Finance colleagues.

Legal Advice obtained – N/A

Financial Advice obtained - David Eden – Finance Manager

The estimated cost of awarding Discretionary Relief for 2019/20 of £352,413 has been fully factored into the Council’s budget for 2019/20. 

A breakdown of the forecast Discretionary Reliefs for 2019/20 are as follows:

Charitable Occupation                                £256,725

Non-profit making bodies                           £94,875

Community Amateur Sports Clubs           £813

Procurement Implications – N/A

HR implications – N/A

Contact Officer: Jane Betts                                                Tel No. 0161 793 2710

This decision is not subject to consideration by another Lead Member.

The appropriate scrutiny panel to call-in the decision is the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY

This decision was published on 28^th February 2019.

This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 7^th March 2019, unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.

Salford City Council - Record of Decision

I, Councillor Hinds, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services, in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution, do hereby approve:

The write-off of irrecoverable Business Rates in the sum of £3,966,108.55

and the write-on of credit balances in the sum of £118,474.00

The write-off of irrecoverable Benefit Overpayments in the sum of £158,414.08

Assessment of Risk – the write-off of irrecoverable debts is an essential part of the administration of accounts.  The source funding is the Council’s bad debt provision.

Legal advice obtained – legal advice has been obtained on each of the individual cases where court action has been taken.

Financial Advice – the Finance Team have confirmed the bad debt provisions.

Procurement Advice obtained – Not applicable.

HR Advice obtained – Not applicable.

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process –

The relevant documents contain exempt or confidential information and are not available for public inspection. The background documents would provide the identity of individuals or companies involved in the write off.

Contact Officer: Steven Fry                                    Tel No.  0161 793 3641

This decision is not subject to consideration by another Lead Member.

The appropriate scrutiny panel to call-in the decision is the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY

This decision was published on 28^th February 2019.

This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 7^th March 2019, unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.