WC refuses most rate relief applications

Wiltshire Council has admitted that 62% of this financial year's applications have been kicked out. The figures come in reply to a question by Marlborough councillor Nick Fogg, and reveal that all three applications from Marlborough businesses have been refused. The amount of rebate given to those businesses which were successful amounts to just £7869 over the whole county.

The council admits that Chambers of Commerce have not been given any promotional material on the rebate scheme, saying the information is available on the WC website.

...and here it is:

Small businesses with rateable values up to £12,000 may be eligible for a reduction in rates.

• All single occupied properties with rateable values £6,000 or less will receive a reduction of 50%.
• All single occupied properties with rateable values between £6,001-£12,000 will receive relief on a sliding scale - 1% for every £120 rateable value until £12,000. If your rateable value is more than £12,000 you will not be entitled to a discount but if it is below £17,999 you will not have to pay the supplement levied for the relief.
• If a ratepayer has additional businesses with rateable values of less than £2,599, relief can still be applied if the combined rateable value of all the properties is less than £17,999.
• All businesses with rateable values of more than £17,999 will pay a small supplement to fund the relief.

To apply for this business rate reduction download download the Business rates - Small business rate relief form small business rate relief form 100kb..

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There's also a rural rate relief scheme for businesses in settlements with a population below 3,000.

The property must be occupied, have a rateable value of less than £8,500 and be:

• the only general store;
• the only post office; or
• a food shop

Or, the property must be occupied, have a rateable value of less than £12,500, and be:

• the only public house
• the only petrol station

An eligible ratepayer is entitled to relief at 50% of the full charge. The council also has discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill.

In addition, the council can give relief on certain other occupied property in a rural settlement where the rateable value is less than £16,500. The council must be satisfied that the property is used for a purpose which benefits the local community.