Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Resources (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Resources (circulated previously) regarding the Rural Settlement List.

The Head of Resources highlighted the following:

·         To be eligible for Rural Rate Relief the business must be located in a qualifying rural settlement, which had a population of no more than 3,000 and falls wholly or partly in an area designated for the purpose of the Rural Rate Relief Scheme. The Authority was required to compile a list for the purpose of this scheme.

·         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.

·         The appendix to the report listed the qualifying Rural Settlements with a population of fewer than 3,000. This list remained unchanged for many years.