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Non-domestic rates

The non-domestic rates collected by Bridgnorth District Council are paid over to the Government and then re-distributed to district and county councils. Bridgnorth's share of re-distributed rates together with income from its Council Taxpayers, Revenue Support Grant provided by the Government and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided.

Guidance Notes for determining applications for:

• Discretionary Relief for Village Post Offices/General Stores situated in a designated Rural Settlement.
• Discretionary Relief for a Public House/Petrol Filling Station situated in a designated Rural Settlement.
• Discretionary Relief from Rural Businesses situated in a designated Rural Settlement.
• Discretionary Relief- Former Agricultural Premises.
• Relief from Rates on the Grounds of Hardship.

Rateable Value

The rateable value of non-domestic property, which is fixed in most cases by the Inland Revenue Valuation Officer, represents the annual open market rental value of the property at 1st April 1998. The rateable value of all property in respect of which rates are payable to your district council are shown in the local rating list, a copy of which may be inspected at the offices of the

Valuation Officer
Darwin House,
2 The Mount,
Shrewsbury SY3 8PU

or at:

Bridgnorth District Council Offices,
Westgate,
Bridgnorth
WV16 5AA.

The Valuation Officer may alter the value if he believes that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) may also in certain circumstances propose a change in value. If in any case the ratepayer and the Valuation Officer do not agree, the matter will be referred as an appeal to a Valuation Tribunal. Information about the circumstances in which a change in a rateable value may be proposed and how such a proposal may be made is available from the District Valuer at the above address.

National Non-Domestic Rating Multiplier

The national non-domestic rating multiplier is the rate in the pound by which the rateable value is multiplied to produce the annual rate bill for a property. The rating multiplier is set annually by the Government and cannot, by law, rise by more than the amount of the increase in the retail price index.

Unoccupied Property Rating

Business Rates will not be payable in the first three months that a property is empty. This is extended to six months in the case of certain industrial properties. After this period, rates are payable in full unless the unoccupied property rate has been reduced by the Government by order. In most cases, the unoccupied property rate is zero for properties owned by charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs. In addition, there are a number of exemptions from the empty property rate. Full details on exemptions can be obtained from the local authority. If the unoccupied property rate for the financial year has been reduced by order, it will be shown on the front of this bill.

Charitable And Discretionary Relief

Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property which is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the full rate bill or of the transitional bill where the transitional arrangements apply. The District Council has discretion to remit all or part of the remaining 20% of a charity's bill and to remit all or part of any rate bill in respect of property occupied by certain bodies not established or conducted for profit.

1) Rate relief is available for businesses with rateable values of up to £6,000 where the business is set up on previously agricultural land or buildings. Subject to certain conditions, the business will receive a 50% reduction in the rates bill for up to five years. Local councils have discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill on such property.

2) Certain types of business in rural villages, with a population below 3000 may qualify for rate relief of 50%. Businesses that qualify for this relief are the sole general store and the sole post office in the village, provided it has a rateable value of up to £6,000; any food shop with a rateable value of up to £6,000; and the sole public house and the sole petrol station in the village provided it has a rateable value of up to £9,000. Local councils have discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill on such property.

The local council may decide to give up to 100% relief to any other business in such a rural village, with a rateable value of up to £12,000, if it is satisfied that the business is of benefit to the community and having regard to the interests of its council tax payers.

Methods of Payment:

• You can make a Business Rate payment online.
  You can enquire about a Business Rate Account online.
  You can enquire about a Business Rate Account Balance online.
• Payments by direct debit. A mandate for this method of payment can be obtained from the Council Offices at Bridgnorth.
• Payments by cash or cheque at a Post Office.
• Payments at any major bank using the payment booklet, although a charge may be made if this is not done through the person's own bank.
• Payments by post or in person to the Council Offices at Bridgnorth.