Rate Relief in West Norfolk

Several Halls in West Norfolk have received letters from the Revenues Department at the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, with a request that they applications for Small Business Rates Relief to be completed, to replace the Mandatory Charity Relief that they are currently in receipt of. We know that this has caused some concern as the government has made clear its intention to review the current Rates Reliefs. We have spoken to the Non-domestic Rates Team to understand the reason for this.

Currently some charity halls receive the 80% Mandatory Charity Rates Relief, which is usually topped up with discretionary Rates Relief.  The Discretionary Rates Relief top up is totally funded at the expense of the Borough Council.

The government’s hierarchy for Rates Relief is that Small Business Rates Relief should be awarded before the Mandatory Charity Relief and the Discretionary Relief, if eligible. Using government relief allows councils to utilise discretionary funds, where needed most.

The Small Business Rates Relief is for properties with a rateable value of less than £15,000.  Properties which exceed this rateable value will continue to receive the Mandatory Charitable Relief and Discretionary Relief top up.

In the future, should a property no longer be eligible to receive the Small Business Rates Relief, the property will revert to Mandatory Charitable Relief and an application form issued to apply for the Discretionary Relief top up.