Freedom of information response

Within the individual billing authorities you administer, if more than one, if possible, please give information at individual billing authority level.

A) What percentage of all hereditaments in your billing authority that are entered into the rating list have been awarded Business Rates Relief: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme for the current 2023/24 rate year.

We have 4380 NDR hereditaments of which 556 currently receive discount under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme for the current 2023/24 rate year, a percentage of 13%

B) Please give a complete list of the description of properties that have been awarded Business Rates Relief: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme for the current 2023/24 rate year. By ‘description’ we mean the property description as entered into the rating list by the valuation office.

Attached is a complete list of the description of properties that have been awarded Business Rates Relief

C) Is Business Rates Relief: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme for the current 2023/24 rate year automatically awarded or does it need to be requested/applied for by the rate payer or their agent.

Ratepayers who were in receipt of  Retail discount at the 31.3.2023 under the previous scheme were in most cases automatically awarded the 23/34 discount. Dependant on circumstances the attached letters accompanied the annual bill. New occupiers have to apply for the relief and each application is dealt with dependant on the information given.

D) If automatically awarded, please specify the description of property that is automatically awarded Business Rates Relief: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme for the current 2023/24 rate year. By ‘description’ we mean the property description as entered into the list by the valuation office.

The list attached in response to question 1 provides the information requested as stated new applications are dealt with on an individual basis to establish if the property meets the criteria for the discount.