Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Jonathan Brook be elected Chairman for the meeting.

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

Councillor David Fletcher having tendered his apologies, substitute Member Councillor Giles Archibald took his place on the Sub-Committee.

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 raised.

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 are no excluded items on the Agenda.

To consider an application for discretionary rate relief made by Milnthorpe Steel Band.

Summary

Consideration was given to an application for discretionary rate relief made by Milnthorpe Steel Band. The organisation had received 80% mandatory relief and, therefore, 20% discretionary rate relief was the maximum that could be awarded by the Sub-Committee.

Decision

RESOLVED – That 20% discretionary rate relief be awarded to Milnthorpe Steel Band (reference 53084640) (amount - £1,267.35).

Reasons for Decision

The application is in line with the Council’s policy, in that the organisations main objectives are charitable and residents of the district benefit sufficiently, when compared with the cost of awarding the relief.

The award of discretionary rate relief to charitable organisations and other non-profit making organisations helps to achieve the Council’s priorities and targets, set out in the Council Plan.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The alternative would be to refuse the application but this is not recommended as this would not be in accordance with the Council’s policy.