HC Deb 26 November 1996 vol 286 c142W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors will determine whether village pubs qualify for discretionary rate relief under the provisions of the Local Government and Rating Bill. [5140]

Sir Paul Beresford

Billing authorities will have the power to grant up to 100 per cent. relief to any public house providing that:

  1. (i) it is within a rural settlement of 3,000 people or less;
  2. (ii) it has a rateable value of less than an amount prescribed by the Secretary of State by order;
  3. (iii) the billing authority is satisfied that the public house is of benefit to the local community;
  4. (iv)the billing authority considers it reasonable for it to grant relief, having regard to the interests of its council tax payers.