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Business rate policy change discussed
A change in policy for giving business rate discounts were set to be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.
Bedford Borough Council’s executive will discuss the authority’s discretionary power to award rate relief, to businesses for a number of reasons.
In a report to the executive reasons for awarding a discount were stated as: “Where is considered that the ratepayer will otherwise suffer hardship, where part of the property is unoccupied for a temporary period and under the council’s general power to award discretionary rate relief.”
However the report also states that the current financial climate has forced the council to consider each case more thoroughly, to get the best deal for taxpayers.
It said: “There is a statutory requirement to consider the interests of local council taxpayers when determining an award for discretionary rate relief on the grounds of hardship or under the general power to award relief.”
The new policy, which if approved will become standard practice at the council, includes a clause which requires those making the decision to consider taxpayers.
The report said: “While this is not a statutory requirement it is considered appropriate to consider these interests given the potential impact on the council’s overall financial resources.”
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 5 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
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