Spelthorne Borough Council

Providing Quality Services to the People of
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell & Sunbury

Business rates latest news

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 2012 Discretionary Rate Relief Policy (Pdf 53kb)