Discretionary Business Rate Relief Policy

Powers to apply Discretionary Business Rate Relief

Section 69 of the Localism Act 2011 amends Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to allow billing authorities such as South Hams District Council, to grant discretionary rate relief in any circumstances, provided it is in the interests of the local Council tax payers to do so.

The purpose of this new power is to give billing authorities the ability and scope to encourage, sustain and improve economic performance. The power to lower the business rate burden while businesses grow can create significant additional employment within the District.