Discretionary Rate Relief Awards under the Localism Act
4.1. Section 69 of the Localism Act 2011 amended the 1988 Act to allow local authorities the discretion to award rate relief to all types of businesses. The Guide to the Act gives details as follows:
The Localism Act gives councils more freedom to offer business rate discounts - to help attract firms, investment and jobs. Whilst councils would need to meet the cost of any discount from local resources, they may decide that the immediate cost of the discount is outweighed by the long-term benefit of attracting growth and jobs to their area.
4.2. The Localism Act allows the Council to award up to 100% rate relief in any one year for qualifying businesses. Rate relief awarded under this policy shall normally apply for the current financial year, but new applications may be made each financial year.
4.3. Applications under this section will only be considered after consideration of any other forms of rate relief to which the applicant may be eligible (excluding hardship rate relief).
