We have the discretionary power to reduce or remit the payment of your rates bill by granting Hardship Relief. The relief itself is funded in part by the local Council Tax payers, who bear 25% of the cost of relief awarded. Therefore we must satisfy ourselves that in granting relief, it is in the interests of the local council tax payers. 

What criteria do I have to meet to apply for Hardship Relief?

In order to apply for relief you must first be liable to pay non-domestic rates within the Castle Morpeth area. No consideration can be given to any application if you have not yet taken occupancy of a business property within Castle Morpeth. 

When considering an application, we must satisfy ourselves that:-

• That you would sustain hardship if we did not award relief; and   
• That in awarding relief, it is in the interests of our council taxpayers. 

The "hardship" does not only have to be confined to financial hardship, therefore you should disclose all relevant factors affecting your ability to pay your business rates.

When considering the interests of our council taxpayers, we have to consider more than just the financial interests. It may be that a business closing could worsen employment prospects of the area or that the amenities of an area are reduced or lost completely. 

What information do I need to provide in order to claim Hardship Relief?

When applying for Hardship Relief you must provide the following information:- 

• A completed application form (See below to obtain an application form).  
• The last two years of audited accounts of the business. If your business has traded for less than two years, you should supply all available financial information since the commencement of trading.
• A projected income and cash flow for the next twelve months
• Any other information that may support your application relating to the information you have provided in your application.  

How are Hardship Relief applications determined?

Each application for Hardship Relief is considered on its merits and based upon the information you provide in your application.

A Council member together with the Revenues Manager have been given delegated powers to consider applications following consultation with the our Regeneration & Economic Development Manager.  

We aim to make a decision regarding the award of relief within 6 weeks of application. We will notify you if the decision will go beyond the 6-week timescale.  

How much relief will I receive and for how long?

We have the discretion to award relief of up to 100% of the amount of rates due from the ratepayer. However, we can only award relief where it is clearly demonstrated that hardship has been suffered. The length of time that relief is awarded will be determined by the circumstances of the individual application. It is expected that relief will be a short-term measure to allow a business to develop, recover or manage a decline and that it is in the interest of the council taxpayers. 

 
Application Form and Guidance Notes