Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Janet Willis be elected Chairman for the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence, if any, and to report any arising changes to membership.

There were no apologies for absence and there had been no changes in membership of the Sub-Committee, and therefore reconstitution of membership was not necessary.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests.  (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting.)

Members may, however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registrable or other interests.

If a Member requires advice on any item involving a possible declaration of interest which could affect his/her ability to speak and/or vote, he/she is advised to contact the Monitoring Officer at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that no declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether the items, if any, in Part II of the Agenda should be considered in the presence of the press and public.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that there were no excluded items on the Agenda.

To consider the applications for discretionary rate relief listed at Appendix 2 to the report

Summary

Consideration was given to approving Discretionary Rate Relief Applications from two organisations within the District for 2014/15.

Decision

Discretionary Rate Relief be awarded to charitable and other non-for-profit organisations listed in Appendix 2 of the report for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015, namely:-

Reason for Decision

The awards are in line with new policies agreed by Cabinet on 28 January 2014 (CEX/123 (2013/14) refers).

The awards of Discretionary Rate Relief assist in achieving Council Plan priorities and targets.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

All applications could have been refused, but this was not recommended as the decisions were in line with Council policy and priorities.