From Basingstoke & Deane
And thank you to our local Councillors for keeping us informed
The Basingstoke & Deane Revenues team has been working hard to administer the financial support available to residents and businesses across the borough.
Council Tax
Following the decision to automatically apply a council tax payment holiday in April and May 2020, new bills are being sent to all properties across the borough this week. This also includes further support for working-age residents eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Grants
The team has been contacting small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors that are eligible for grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to ensure this support is administered as quickly as possible. An estimated 1,600 businesses are eligible for this support at a cost of almost £21 million and so far grants totalling over £16 million have now paid to over 1,200 businesses.
Business rates
Around 820 businesses in the leisure, retail and hospitality businesses, as well as early years providers, estate agents, letting agencies and bingo halls, will not pay business rates in the 2020/21 financial year.
Rent and Service charges
In recognition of the position the council is in as a landlord to many businesses, a three-month rent and service charge holiday has also been made available for all 344 small businesses in council-owned properties with annual rents of up to £50,000.
We are continuing to work to the clear guidelines the government has provided, including eligibility criteria, when administering grant support for businesses.
Contact
Due to the number of businesses the team is currently supporting with this, it is important that businesses continue to come directly to the Revenues team so enquiries can be logged.
Businesses can visit the dedicated webpage – www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-guidance