Northampton Borough Council under-spent free Government funds meant for businesses

Northampton Borough Council failed to allocate £130,000 of Government money aimed at helping businesses who suffered financially after the April 2017 revaluation of business rates.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th May 2018, 16:29 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 08:51 BST
In 2016-17 Northampton borough brought in 100,471,422 net in business ratesIn 2016-17 Northampton borough brought in 100,471,422 net in business rates
In 2016-17 Northampton borough brought in 100,471,422 net in business rates

A total of £189,870 was made available to the authority to distribute to businesses, but as of April 31 this year £60,426 was handed out, meaning there was still £129,574 left to give out.

The figures were obtained via a Freedom of Information request by chartered surveyors Bankier Sloan, in conjunction with betterretailing.com and Retail Express.

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The surveyors found that many councils incorrectly used Government guidelines for giving out the funds, with many limiting the relief they gave out to business with a rateable value under £200,000 - who had seen rates payable increase by 12.5 per cent.

Councils have until September 30 to rewrite their guidelines and claim the money from Government.

In the 2016-17 tax year Northampton borough brought in £100,471,422 net in business rates, a similar figure to Southampton, Peterborough and Cambridge.

The total amount collected in England was £23.87bn.

In Northampton, just under £5m is still owed by ratepayers to the council.

Related topics:GovernmentNorthamptonSouthampton