National Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates) Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

The Local Government Finance Act 1998 and the Local Government Finance and Rating Act 1997 make provision for the awarding of mandatory relief to certain organisations. This legislation, as amended by the Local Government Act 2003 and the Localism Act 2011, also
gives the Council discretionary powers to award relief from payment of non-domestic rates in certain prescribed circumstances.

The Discretionary Rate Relief Policy sets out the Council's approach to, and guidelines for, the awarding of discretionary rate relief.

Reliefs that do not include a discretionary element are not included in this policy. These are empty rate relief and small business rates relief. The award of some reliefs will preclude a property from qualifying for other types of relief.

The policy has been approved by the Council's Executive Cabinet and will be reviewed every
five years and in response to relevant