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Coronavirus related business support

COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund

The COVID-19 Additional Relief fund (CARF) has been made available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates. The Government released guidance for the administration of this fund to councils on 15 December 2021.

South Somerset District Council have designed a discretionary CARF policy to follow the mandatory criteria and principles set out in the Government guidance to support ratepayers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to that impact.

The Government guidance directs that CARF is available to reduce chargeable amounts in the 2021/2022 year only and must be directed towards ratepayers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to that impact. Under the criteria set by Government it is not available to the following:

  • Businesses eligible to receive the Expanded Retail Discount, Nursery Discount or Airport Operations Support Scheme for the 2021/2022 year
  • Unoccupied businesses (other than those closed temporarily due to mandated Covid-19 restrictions) in the 2021/2022 year

South Somerset District Council have written to all eligible ratepayers

The South Somerset District Council Covid 19 Additional Relief Fund Policy sets out our approach to awarding relief.

Within the South Somerset District Council CARF Discretionary Policy we have decided the level of CARF that will be applied to individual hereditaments. The set award will be between 53% relief for the year 2021/2022, capped at £35,000. This is a one off award, future changes in rateable value for the period may affect the amount of relief provided. And this will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 

South Somerset District Council have written to all eligible ratepayers for the Council’s main scheme.

The Council is also welcoming applications from all ratepayers through the Special Cases scheme. More information, including how to apply, is available on the tab below.

A decision notice for the year 2021/2022 will be sent to all ratepayers who receive relief.  

Thank you. You response is appreciated.

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