Oxford Council agrees rate relief proposals to support small businesses

Oxford City Council has agreed the terms of three schemes designed to support local businesses which would otherwise face increases to their business rates.

A revaluation of business rateable values by the Valuation Office Agency, and government changes to the Small Business Rate Relief scheme meant that some businesses faced big issues in their rates from April. The government has allocated £300 million to councils nationally over the next four years to help those businesses facing the biggest increases.

The agreed proposals will cap business rate increases for some small businesses, provide discounts to public houses, and set up a reevaluation discretionary relief scheme to support other businesses facing rate increases.

The council has worked with Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police and other Oxfordshire district councils to agree the revaluation discretionary relief scheme on a countrywide basis.

Ed Turner, deputy leader of Oxford City Council, said: “We are pleased to agree this help for small businesses to cope with increases in their business rates. We have agreed an Oxfordshire-wide discretionary relief scheme with the county, the police and the other districts, which will offer much-needed support. We will be contacting businesses as quickly as we can to invite them to apply for rate relief from the three schemes.”