Decision details

The Executive received a report which sought approval of the arrangements for the Council’s inclusion in the Surrey County bid for 100% Business Rates Retention in 2018/19.  It was explained that the proposal for a Surrey-wide pilot would need to incorporate Surrey County Council and all the Surrey Districts and Boroughs in order to be accepted by the government.  Following a question regarding autonomy, Officers advised that the pilot would result in no changes to the Council’s business rates system, how the Council awarded any discretionary payments or to the business rates appeals system.  Regarding financial analysis and risk mitigation, Officers explained that advisors for Surrey had not considered the pilot to be a significant risk and that financial analysis undertaken had supported that view.  The Executive noted that details of the pilot bid would not be shared publically so as not to undermine the bid.  The Executive supported the Council’s inclusion in the joint bid which, if successful, would result in additional resources being retained locally.