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

I. Local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme (Revaluation)

Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1998 as amended by Section 69 of the Localism Act 2011)

Overview

The purpose of Local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme (Revaluation) is to support businesses facing the steepest increases in their business rate bills as a result of the 2017 revaluation.

This is in addition to the support already provided through transitional arrangements following the revaluation and Spring Budget 2017 announcements.

Eligibility to relief under this section will only be considered after determination of any other forms of rate relief to which the applicant may be eligible.

Eligibility

Relief may be granted where:

the property has a rateable value of less than £200,000
the increase in the rateable property's 2017-18 net business rates bill (after any reliefs) is more than 12.5% compared to its 2016-17 bill
the property is both occupied and trading
the ratepayer is not a national company or part of a chain
the award of this relief complies with EU law on State Aid (less than €200k awarded over 3 years)

Applications

This relief will automatically be awarded to eligible ratepayers. However, the council will issue a State Aid declaration and this must be signed by the ratepayer and returned to Chorley Council within 14 days of receipt to avoid cancellation of the relief.