The discretionary rate relief policy has not been reviewed by the Council since 1995 and as such, the level of relief granted for old historic cases may no longer be appropriate.
The Council has no formal policy for considering relief on the grounds of hardship and in the current economic climate, the Council is facing increased applications for this relief.
From 1 April 2004, registered community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) are able to qualify for mandatory relief which reduces the cost of relief to Spelthorne.
Legislation provides for at least 12 months notice for removal or changes of relief. Any variance to relief must start at the beginning of the financial year.
The Council has reviewed its existing policy and has taken into account the following factors:
The extent to which the organisation meets the local needs of the community.
The extent to which the organisation provides a valuable service to the community.
The extent to which the organisation provides facilities which indirectly reduces the requirement of the Authority to do so such as leisure, sport, recreational, arts facilities.
If the organisation is a sports club, it will be expected to be or have sought registration as a Community Amateur Sports Club prior to considering relief.
The extent to which the organisation contributes to the Council’s priorities of:
Activities for youth
Safer Spelthorne
Elderly services
Cleaner Spelthorne
Value for money
These changes will come into effect from 1 April 2012Discretionary Rate Relief Policy (Pdf 53kb)Changes to Empty Property Rate Relief from 1 April 2008The Government has reformed empty property relief in order to provide a strong incentive to bring empty properties back into use. The Government intends to remove empty property relief to commercial properties that have been empty for more than three months or six months in the case of industrial or warehouse properties with effect from 1 April 2008.The Government states that these reforms are to encourage owners to re-let, re-develop or sell unused property thus improving access to premises and reducing rents for businesses, as well reducing the need for development of Greenfield land. This reform is designed to provide a positive incentive to bring vacant shops, offices, factories and warehouses back into use.Empty properties held by charities, community amateur sports clubs and companies in administration will be exempt from empty rates.General informationThe non-domestic rates, or business rates, are collected by us and are the means by which businesses and others who occupy non-domestic property make a contribution towards the cost of local services. Except in the City of London where special arrangements apply, the rates are pooled by central government and redistributed to local councils according to the number of people living in the area.This money, together with revenue from council taxpayers, revenue support grant provided by the Government and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided by us and other local authorities in your area.There are currently just over 2400 non domestic properties in Spelthorne with a total Rateable Value of £108.6 million. Put simply, the rate liability for each property is calculated by multiplying its rateable value by the non domestic multiplier. The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office (an agency of HM revenues and Customs) and is generally based on rental values together with circumstantial and geographical allowances. Every property in the Borough is listed in the Valuation List which can be viewed on-line at the Valuation Office website atwww.voa.gov.uk(external website).Each Valuation List has a life of five years, the current list took effect from 1 April 2005 and is based on rental evidence as at 1 April 2003.
