North Somerset Council’s leader has vowed to ‘look very favourably’ on youth groups when overhauling business rates.

At the most recent council meeting, John Crockford-Hawley quizzed leader Nigel Ashton about the council’s plans to change how it subsidises business rates – with all business paying at least a portion.

Cllr Crockford-Hawley said: “I am the chairman of Axe Scouts and some leaders are concerned the discretionary business rates will place a burden on them.”

The consultation on the proposed changes says the authority will look favourably on businesses which provide jobs, but does not make its position clear on voluntary youth groups.

But Cllr Ashton said: “We will look very favourably on small local groups. Certainly wealthy golf clubs getting thousands in discretionary rates is unacceptable.”