Westminster Council's Rating Advisory Panel convened on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, to discuss Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) Discretionary and Hardship Relief applications. The meeting, chaired by Councillor Concia Albert, addressed several applications for relief from business rates.
The panel, which included Councillor Robert Eagleton (Deputy Cabinet Member - Housing), Councillor Patrick Lilley (Deputy Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Lead Member for Soho and LGBTQ+ Champion), Councillor Selina Short, and Councillor Karen Scarborough, reviewed the applications as part of its scheduled agenda. The agenda also included noting any changes to the membership of the panel and receiving declarations of interest from members and officers.
Due to the sensitive nature of the financial information contained within the applications, the council recommended excluding the public and press from the portion of the meeting where the NNDR Discretionary and Hardship Relief Applications were discussed. This decision was made under Section 100 (A) (4) and Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the public when exempt information is likely to be disclosed. The public reports pack contained the applications, spanning from pages 3 to 438.
NNDR, commonly known as business rates, are a tax on non-domestic properties. Discretionary relief is granted at the discretion of the local authority, while hardship relief is available to businesses facing financial difficulties.
