Decision - Local Government Resource Review: Proposals for Business Rates Retention and Government Consultation Paper

2.1       That Cabinet notes the proposals set out in the consultation paper and the potential implications for the council as known at this time.

2.2       That Cabinet agrees that the Director of Finance responds to the consultation document opposing the proposals in principle and providing technical responses to the questions raised in the consultation paper based on the key issues set out in paragraphs 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.17, 3.19, 3.21, 3.23  and 3.24 in the body of the report.

The consultation requires responses to be received by 24 October 2011 and given the potential significance of the proposals to the future finances of the council the recommendations ask Cabinet to give a clear steer to the response from the council so that the response deadline can be achieved.

The report sets out the key issues and explains the reasoning why certain responses are proposed to be made in keeping with the overall objective to protect and minimise risk to future funding sources of the council.