District Council in top 10 for business rates

The district council has been ranked in the top 10 nationally – and the best in Leicestershire – in a new report by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with rates collected from 99.7% of all local businesses.

Business rates (non domestic rates) are collected by councils to help pay for vital local services. They are set by the Valuation Office and charged on most business properties such as shops, offices, pubs, factories and guest houses.

Half the money collected by the district council is retained locally by Harborough District Council, Leicestershire County Council and Leicestershire and Rutland Fire Authority. The rest goes to the Government.

Cllr Richard Hadkiss, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for corporate governance which includes revenues and benefits, said: “To be nationally recognised like this is a fantastic achievement and credit goes to local businesses and the collections team at the council. We provide an option for businesses to set direct debit payments, via our website, with more than three quarters of businesses in the Harborough district now using this method of payment. We also work very hard with businesses to recover any outstanding payments where possible.”

Businesses can switch to ‘paperfree’ and view business rates information online. Go to www.harborough.gov.uk/paperfree to find out more.