§ '.—(1) For the purposes of Part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (non-domestic rating) the occupier of any hereditament so far as consisting of the premises of a maintained school shall be taken to be—
- (a) the local education authority, where it is a community, voluntary controlled or community special school; or
- (b) the governing body, where it is a foundation, voluntary aided or foundation special school.
§ (2) In section 43(6) or 47(2)(a) of that Act (mandatory and discretionary rate relief) any reference to trustees for a charity includes the governing body of a foundation, voluntary aided or foundation special school.'.—[Mr. Byers.]
618§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Mr. ByersI beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
The new clause concerns rate relief. It does not affect the existing provisions for rates which would be outside the Bill's scope. It simply mirrors the existing provisions as they affect schools and simply rolls forward the existing arrangements into the new framework. It does not affect schools themselves financially, but simply clarifies the position and introduces a degree of certainty which the Government feel will be of benefit. This is a technical new clause.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.