[Stronsaylimpet] Rates relief for unoccupied non-domestic properties in Orkney

[Limpet editor]

/From OIC Updates on Facebook:/

Views are being sought on how rates relief should be awarded for 
unoccupied non-domestic properties in Orkney.
Feedback from local ratepayers and other interested parties will be used 
to help shape the Council’s rate relief policy moving forward.
William Moore, Service Manager – Revenues & Benefits at OIC, explained: 
“The non-domestic rate is payable on all properties which are not 
domestic in nature.
“There is at present a national scheme of rates relief to reduce the 
rates payable where a property is unoccupied, i.e. not in active use, 
but from April 2023, Councils have responsibility for setting their own 
rate relief policies.
“That is why we are consulting with local ratepayers and other 
interested parties to get their views on how rates relief should be 
awarded for unoccupied non-domestic properties in Orkney.”
Under the existing arrangements, any reduction in the rates payable for 
unoccupied properties is fully funded through a national arrangement but 
from April the Council will be allocated a fixed amount to award relief 
under its local policy.
Mr Moore said: “This means that the amount of relief available to local 
ratepayers where a property is empty could be capped to ensure that the 
overall relief awarded does not exceed the amount provided by the 
Scottish Government. Under the existing scheme, the cost of any excess 
relief awarded would therefore need to be met by local Council Tax payers.
The Council would like to hear your views on the following questions:
• Do you agree that the aim of the Council policy should be to encourage 
bringing empty properties back into use – if not, why not?
• Should the policy have other aims?
• Should the Council retain the existing reliefs and exemptions within 
its local policy?
• Should the rates of relief available be the same for all property 
types, or should relief be targeted at specific sectors or localities? Why?
• Are there any other reliefs or exemptions that you think would help to 
bring about the aims of the policy, i.e. bringing unoccupied properties 
back in to use?
The consultation will be open until the start of February - please 
complete the survey here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OIC-RatesRelief 
<https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OIC-RatesRelief/?fbclid=IwAR1GfDcd4vbb7EmmmWPKTiaW9D7nnPup-i7wYAQcxeuUWyvbjW2-O5HJyKg>.
Your feedback will be used to inform elected members ahead of future 
decision-making around the policy, due to be discussed at next month’s 
Policy and Resources Committee meeting.
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