If your property is used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes, you are automatically entitled to an 80% reduction of your bill (mandatory relief).

You will need to apply to the Council to make sure you receive it.

In addition, the Council may award discretionary rate relief for all or part of the remaining 20% of the bill (discretionary relief).

If the property is a charity shop, the property must be wholly or mainly used for the sale of goods donated to the charity and the proceeds must be applied to the purposes of the charity.

If your organisation is not a charity but is another type of non-profit making organisation, you are not automatically entitled to relief, but the Council may award discretionary rate relief for all or part of the bill.

To qualify, the organisation must be charitable, religious, or concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts, or the property must be used wholly or mainly for the purpose of recreation.

If your business property is in a designated rural area, you may be able to claim rural rate relief.

Application forms can be requested by telephoning the Business Rates section, 01785 619282.