Half of councils failing to distribute discretionary rates relief
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Nearly half of all councils in England are yet to hand out discretionary business rates relief owed to small businesses.
Following the news that inflation would add a further £1billion to retailers business rates payments next year, it has now been revealed that nearly half of all councils in England have failed to hand out discretionary rates relief.
High streets minister Jake Berry has pledged to step in and help those who are still waiting to receive their share of the £300m discretionary relief fund put aside to help stores worst hit by this year's rates revaluation.
Currently, out of 309 local authorities, 152 are yet to distribute any of the discretionary funds, despite having seven months to do so. The total owed is expected to be worth around £86 million.
The failings have been exposed by a newly published list from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) which states which councils have and have not managed to meet the government's deadline.
One council that has failed to distribute its discretionary business rates relief allocation is Lewisham, despite a spokesperson from the Council promising in July that "The consultation is due to take place within the next few weeks."
Local Government Minister Marcus Jones commented on the slow progress stating: "While many councils have made good progress in implementing our £435 million rate relief support package for businesses, I have been clear that it is unacceptable that some haven't acted quickly enough."
He continued: "All other councils now need to follow their example to make sure that their local businesses benefit from the additional relief they are entitled to."
Firms with a rateable value of below £51,000 should contact their local authority and ask "what they are going to do to support you as a business", said Berry.
"If your local authority values your role at the heart of the local community, they should respond positively. If it fails to act, write to me and I and my department will take up your request with each local authority."
See if your local authority is yet to distribute its discretionary rates relief allocation