Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Graham Vincent be elected Chairman for the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

It was noted that the Agenda for the meeting contained an error and that it should have referred to Councillor Chris Hogg as Substitute Member.  An apology for absence having been received from Councillor Jonathan Brook, Councillor Hogg substituted accordingly.

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 there were no declarations of interest.

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 an appeal against an Executive Decision made under delegated powers to refuse an application for Discretionary Rate Relief.

Summary

Consideration was given to an appeal made by Kendal Town Football Club against an Executive Decision made under delegated powers to refuse an application for discretionary rate relief (DEX/5 2014/15 refers).  The application had previously been refused as, based on the information provided in the application form, the Club did not meet the various membership criteria in the guidelines and it had also been noted that the Club’s accounts did not reflect the recent acquisition of a bar.

Kendal Town Football Club had appealed the decision, clarifying the role of the Club’s managers, coaches and other playing team individuals and the membership of the Club. The membership fee was £1 and the club stated  that playing members exceeded 25% of the total membership.  A meeting had been held by officers with the Club Chairman to clarify the issues around Club membership, details of which were provided.  The Club was becoming more involved in the community through youth football, making Club facilities available to children and being involved with the Riversiders Football Club, a disabled team.  The Club accepted that it needed to reflect on membership arrangements, and would consider introducing more transparent arrangements with formal membership cards issued. Kendal Town Football Club had stated that they had been awarded ‘full rate relief’ for their former premises. They had been awarded Small Business Rate Relief in respect of that property, whereas the rateable of value of the current premises exceeded the limit for Small Business Rate Relief to be awarded.

Members were of the view that further information was necessary.

Decision

RESOLVED –That a decision be deferred to enable officers to request further information from Kendal  Town Football Council about the structure of its membership including details of its register of members.

Reasons for Decision

To enable Members to make an informed decision.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Members are required to determine the appeal and may decide to allow or refuse the appeal.

To consider an application for Discretionary Rate Relief made by MIND (Ulverston).

Summary

Consideration was given to an application for Discretionary Rate Relief at Appendix 2 and 3 of the report, from MIND (Ulverston) for the premises at Queen Street, Ulverston with reference to policy guidelines at Appendix 1 of the report.

Decision

RESOLVED – That 20% Discretionary Rate Relief be awarded to MIND (Ulverston) (ref:51984271) for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Reasons for Decision

The purpose of an award of discretionary rate relief to charitable organisations and other non-profit making organisations is to help achieve the priorities and targets set out in the Council Plan. Members considered that the work that the organisation carried out within its community made the application exceptional. The application was therefore in accordance with the policy guidelines.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Members may determine whether or not relief should be awarded, although reference must be made to the Council’s policy guidelines.  The percentage awarded can be varied depending upon the individual circumstances.