Report by the Head of Resources (attached).

The Executive considered a report by the Head of Resources (circulated previously), the options and/or alternatives and other relevant facts set out in the report regarding the approval of the Rural Settlement List for the financial year commencing 1^st April 2019.

The Head of Resources highlighted the following:

·         Schedule 1 of Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1997 made provision for the allowance of mandatory and/or discretionary relief from Non-Domestic Rates for certain properties situated within designated rural areas.

·         Rural Settlements are settlements with a population of less than 3,000 within the boundaries of a rural area as set out under the provision of the Housing Act 1996.

·         The Rural rate Relief Scheme helped qualifying small general stores, post offices, food shops, public houses and petrol stations.  It was intended to safeguard rural communities and preserve the future of village life by supporting the service they provide to local people.  To qualify for relief, properties must be situated within a designated rural settlement area of less then 3,000 people.

·         The list of rural settlements remained unchanged.