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Bin collections

Due to the high temperatures, our bin crews will be starting collections earlier than usual to help keep them safe in the heat. Please make sure your bins are out the night before, as collections will take place from 6.00am for the rest of the week. Thank you for helping our crews work safely during the hot weather.

Subsidy control

Any discretionary help provided to businesses can be a subsidy.  This includes help provided to not-for-profit organisations.

Rules exist around subsidies to ensure that:

  • competition and investment are not distorted
  • the public sector uses funds effectively and efficiently.

When the government asks us to grant a new rate relief they give us guidance around the subsidy rules.  In recent years we have asked recipients to confirm the value of subsidies received over a 3-year period.  This includes any subsidy, not only those linked to Business Rates.   If you ask us for an historic rate reduction, such as Retail Discount, we may ask you for a declaration.

Find out more about the UK subsidy control regime (opens new window)
 

2026-27 pubs and live music venues relief awards

The government told us that pubs and live music venues relief awards are likely to be subsidies.  They are ensuring it complies with:

  • the Subsidy Control Act 2022, and
  • international subsidy control rules

They have given us guidance on assessing the awards.  Provided we follow the guidance:

  • we do not have to assess the relief against subsidy control principles
  • individual awards are protected from legal challenge under the Subsidy Control act.

In addition

  • There is no cap on the value of a business rates relief award we make under this Scheme.  
  • Awards do not constitute nor count towards "Minimal Financial Assistance" (MFA).
  • We have an obligation to report individual reliefs worth over £100,000.  This is per rating assessment.  We include details of the subsidy on the subsidy control database.
     

2026 Supporting Small Business Relief (2026 SSBR)

The government told us this is likely to be a subsidy.  Most likely within the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) thresholds.

The Subsidy Control Act allows an economic actor to receive up to £315,000 in a three-year period. This is the MFA threshold.  The period consists of the 2026/27 year and the two previous financial years.  Economic actor means a holding company and its subsidiaries.  MFA subsidies are combined for each economic actor, regardless of who provided them. The total is then assessed against the threshold: 

  • If we think you will exceed the limit we will withhold relief. 
  • If you have multiple branches or subsidiary companies, you must combine the relief.  The total is then checked against the threshold.
  • If we grant you relief you must tell us if you exceed the limit.