Business Rates - Rural Rate Relief

Mandatory Rural Rate Relief

Certain types of businesses in rural areas, where the population is below 3000, may qualify for mandatory rate relief of 50%. The Council also has discretion to top-up this relief to 100% by granting additional discretionary relief.

For the purposes of the scheme the Council is required to list settlements within the Barnsley area that have a population of 3000 or less which are situated wholly or mainly within an area designated by the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions as rural. The list is reviewed each year and ratepayers are entitled to propose amendments to the list at any time. For more information on the Council's rural settlement list contact the Rates Office.

Click on the Rural Rate Relief Scheme - Application for Discretionary Rate Relief  link

Discretionary relief of up 100% may also be allowed to any other small business that benefits the local community.

Who is entitled?

To qualify for mandatory relief a property must be situated within a rural settlement area named on the Council's rural settlement list and must be:

a food shop or sole general store or sole post office with a rateable value less than £7,000
a public house or petrol filling station with a rateable value less than £10,500
Other businesses that may qualify for discretionary relief must be situated within a rural settlement area named on the Council's rural settlement list, have a rateable value less than £14,000, and be providing a business which is of benefit to the local community.

For the purpose of the Act, a general store is defined as one in which a trade or business is carried on consisting wholly or mainly of the sale by retail of both food for human consumption (excluding confectionery) and general household goods.

Properties in receipt of Rural Rate Relief are not eligible to receive Small Business Relief.

How do you apply?

To apply for mandatory relief you should complete the 'Application for Mandatory Rate Relief - Village Shop Rate Relief Scheme' form. Please contact the Rates Office to request an application form or if you require any assistance.

For discretionary relief complete the 'Application for Discretionary Rate Relief - Village Shop Rate Relief Scheme' form. Please contact the Rates Office to request an application form or if you require any assistance.

Completed forms should be returned to the Rates Office.

Enquiries

For other information including:-

Contact details - for general enquiries and to request application forms
Viewing your account online
methods of payment
see Business Rates -Enquiries

Please quote your account number when making an enquiry

How you can help

You can help by ensuring that all the information requested on the application form is provided. An application cannot be considered without this information.

If your circumstances change you should notify the Rates Office as soon as possible.

Application Form

Rural Rate Relief Scheme - Application for Discretionary Rate Relief

Rural Rate Relief Scheme - Application for Mandatory Rate Relief

Other useful websites