Last updated 12:01, Saturday, 05 April 2008

MAY we clarify the situation regarding rates and rents for Workington town centre.

Although Allerdale Borough Council is legally obliged to collect national non-domestic rates (otherwise known as business rates), the council does not set the rates or rent for businesses in the town centre.

The rateable value of non-domestic property is determined by an independent valuation officer of the Valuation Office Agency.

The values of all property in respect of which rates are payable are shown in the local rating list, which you can view on the Valuation Office Agency website at www.voa.gov.uk.

The national non-domestic rates collected by Allerdale Borough Council are paid over to the Government and then redistributed to billing authorities, such as Allerdale council, and major precepting authorities, such as Cumbria County Council.

The rents for properties in the town centre are set by the relevant landlord, not Allerdale council.

Allerdale  can assist, however, through its small business rate relief scheme.

This is available at a rate of 50 per cent for ratepayers who occupy a single business property with a rateable value of up to £5,000.

Relief declines in percentage terms on a sliding scale down to nil per cent at £10,000.

The relief is available to ratepayers with either one business property or one main business property and other additional properties provided all of the other properties have rateable values less than £2,200.

Details of the relief scheme can be obtained from Allerdale Borough Council.

COUNCILLOR DAVID WILSON, Executive member with responsibility for Access to Services; COUNCILLOR MIKE DAVIDSON, Workington St John’s; COUNCILLOR JOHN HEATHCOTE, Workington St John’s; COUNCILLOR JOE HOLLIDAY, Workington St John’s