To receive answers from the Cabinet Members to questions on their portfolios from other Members.
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Minutes:
Cllr A White asked the following questions:
Question 1
For the Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk Cllr J Buczkowski
Can the Cabinet Member confirm that while the council was run by a Liberal Democrat administration the local charity run village halls would never have to pay rates, as they understand the vital role that many village halls play in the community and would wish to do everything they could to support them?
Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk.
Most village halls that are run by committees or charitable trusts for public benefit are eligible to receive 80% mandatory charity relief and could apply for a further 20% discretionary relief; if the conditions are met, then this additional relief would be granted.
Reliefs are periodically reviewed, and as long as the tests are met to retain relief then mandatory or discretionary relief would not be withdrawn.
This administration updated and approved the Councils Policy for the granting of Discretionary non-domestic rate relief on the 6th February this year, and had no plans to revisit it.
If a particular venue was no-longer eligible other reductions could be looked at such as, Retail Hospitality & Leisure Relief, Small Business Rates Relief, not for profit , Rural Rare Relief as example.
It was probably worthy to note that discretionary reliefs do not apply to halls owned and operated by parish or town councils other than statutory reliefs, this was statutory not a local policy.
So, the short answer Cllr A White, would be no, the Council had no plans to change the discretionary non-domestic rate relief scheme, if there are concerns relating to a specific case, I’d be happy to look at that directly with you.
Question 2
For the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration Cllr S Keable
What steps can the council take to ensure that all of our high streets in our communities are disabled friendly? Can the council provide support to our shop-keepers to ensure that all residents are able to access their premises regardless of ability?
Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration:
Access for all, and especially within the public realm, was essential. Such improvements were possible in Cullompton through the Heritage Action Zone funding. There was still more that could be done, and hopefully once the Town Centre Relief Road had become a reality, attention could be paid to other improvements to the main street.
I understand the context of the question was Crediton which certainly had challenges for all people and not just those people with disabilities: but especially for people with mobility disabilities. Cabinet would be considering the Crediton Master Plan at the next Cabinet Meeting. It was appropriate this Cabinet meeting would be held in Crediton on 30th July. Indeed this meeting would be a first for this administration, upholding our principle of working closer to the community by getting out and about.
Amongst other themes the Crediton Masterplan recognises the challenges of Crediton High Street with adverse cambers and levels. This would include steps from the pavement into retail premises. There are proposals for remodelling in Crediton High Street and other that seek to improve access and the quality of the experience. Any designs would need to meet accessibility standards.
Turning to Tiverton. I am well aware there are similar concerns for access and mobility improvement. The Tiverton Masterplan had in the past been frustrated. As resources become available the intention was to address this. Indeed this week I and Officers held an informal meeting with the Tiverton Town Centre Partnership. That meeting touched upon the prospects of planning for the future.
I trust this response goes some way to illustrate this Council’s commitment to improving the public realm of our town centres. I would be happy to discuss any specific matters with Councillor A White and / or with his Bow resident.
Question 3
For the Leader of the Council Cllr L Taylor
Please could the Leader tell this Council why Cllr Rachel Gilmour MP is not in attendance at this Council meeting?
Leader of the Council:
Cllr R Gilmour was not present at the meeting, all members of the Council would be aware that she had been elected as Member of Parliament and was unable to attend the Council meetings as she was attending State opening of Parliament.