Rate Relief for Businesses in RCT
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has already pledged £800,000 rate relief to the county borough’s retail businesses to help them move with the times – and is inviting others to come forward.
The Council is able to offer business rate relief thanks to funding from the Welsh Government and is using the opportunity to support businesses.
Up to £1500 a year relief on business rate bills is offered to retail properties that have a rateable value of £50,000 of less in the 2015/16 financial year (subject to state aid limits).
The properties must by wholly or mainly used as retail premises, such as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.
Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said: “We are committed to doing what we can to enable Rhondda Cynon Taf’s businesses and shops flourish.
“Just this month, we have welcomed a record number of entries to the RCT Business Club Awards 2016, in which enterprise and innovation will be celebrated across the county borough.
“We also enjoyed unprecedented success in the Welsh Government’s High Street Heroes awards last year, with our shops and galleries securing finalist places in all but one of the categories, flying the flag for RCT and all that it has on offer.
“We want to reward and protect that innovation and working with the Welsh Government to provide business rate relief is just one of the ways we can do that.”
A comprehensive list of businesses that could benefit can be found on the Business Rate pages, although it is not possible to list every category of premises that will qualify.
The Council will ultimately determine whether a particular property qualifies for Retail Relief following a formal application. Any relief awarded will be deducted directly from the rates bill and a new demand for any balance outstanding will be issued to the ratepayer.
All applications for relief must be submitted as soon as possible as the scheme ends on 31st March 2016. Application forms are available on line.
