The Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 2007

PART I INTRODUCTORY

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 and shall come into force on 1st April 2007.

Interpretation – general

2.  In these Regulations–

“the 1962 Act” means the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962(1);

“the 1966 Act” means the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966(2);

“the 1975 Act” means the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975(3);

“the 1978 Act” means the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978(4);

“the 1992 Act” means the Local Government Finance Act 1992(5);

“the 1997 Act” means the Local Government and Rating Act 1997(6);

“the 2006 Regulations” means the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2006(7);

“lands and heritages” has the meaning prescribed by and under section 42 of the Lands Valuation (Scotland) Act 1854(8);

“new entry”, in relation to a split, merged or reorganised entry, means an entry in the roll taking effect from the day on which the split, merged or reorganised entry takes effect;

“old entry”, in relation to a merged, split or reorganised entry, means an entry in the roll for the day immediately prior to the day from which the merged, split or reorganised entry takes effect;

“part residential subjects” has the meaning prescribed by section 99(1) of the 1992 Act;

“rateable value”, in relation to lands and heritages and a particular date, means–

(a)

in the case of part residential subjects, the rateable value entered in the roll for that date and apportioned to the non residential use of those subjects; and

(b)

in any other case, the rateable value entered in the roll for that date in respect of those lands and heritages,

and includes a rateable value so entered with retrospective effect;

“rates” means non domestic rates levied under section 7B of the 1975 Act(9);

“the relevant year” means the period of 12 months beginning with 1st April 2007; and

“the roll” means a valuation roll made up under section 1 of the 1975 Act(10).

Interpretation – mergers

3.  In these Regulations–

(a) “a merged entry” means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year as a result of lands and heritages shown in two or more old entries being shown in a single new entry, where–

(i) none of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entries are shown in a new entry, other than in the merged entry; and

(ii) the merged entry does not show any lands and heritages shown in an old entry, other than in the relevant old entries; and

(b) “the relevant old entries”, in relation to a merged entry, means the old entries which showed the lands and heritages shown in the merged entry.

Interpretation – splits

4.  In these Regulations–

(a) “a split entry” means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year as a result of lands and heritages shown in a single old entry being shown in two or more new entries, where–

(i) none of those new entries show lands and heritages shown in an old entry, other than in the relevant old entry; and

(ii) no lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry are shown in a new entry, other than in those new entries; and

(b) “the relevant old entry”, in relation to a split entry, means the old entry which showed the lands and heritages shown in the split entry.

Interpretation – reorganisations

5.  In these Regulations–

(a) “a reorganised entry” means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year which is not a split or merged entry, and which shows lands and heritages–

(i) which were to any extent shown in two or more old entries; or

(ii) which are part only of lands and heritages shown in a single old entry and the other part of which is shown to any extent in one or more other new entries;

(b) “reorganisation” means a situation where, with effect from a day in the relevant year, lands and heritages shown immediately before that day in two or more old entries are shown in two or more new entries, each of which is a reorganised entry; and

(c) “the relevant old entries”, in relation to a reorganised entry, means the old entries affected by the reorganisation which gave rise to that entry.

PART II LANDS AND HERITAGES ON ROLL ON 1ST APRIL 2007

Application of Part II

6.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), this Part applies to lands and heritages–

(a) which are shown in the roll on 1st April 2007; and

(b) in respect of all or any part of which there is an entry, or are entries, in the roll on 31st March 2007.

(2) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages shown in an entry in the roll on 1st April 2007 if–

(a) that entry shows a nil rateable value; or

(b) the only lands and heritages shown in that entry which are to any extent shown in the roll on 31st March 2007 then have a nil rateable value.

(3) This Part shall cease, as from the date of any merged, split or reorganised entry taking effect subsequent to 31st March 2007, to apply to the lands and heritages shown in that entry.

Amount payable as rates

7.  Subject to regulation 9, the amount payable as rates in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies, for any day in the relevant year, shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• ARP is the amount of rates payable;

• NL is the notional liability calculated in accordance with regulation 8; and

• BTA is the base transitional adjustment, being the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages on 31st March 2007, less the notional liability in respect of those lands and heritages on 31st March 2007 calculated in accordance with the formula contained in regulation 8 of the 2006 Regulations.

Notional liability

8.  The notional liability in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies for any day shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• RV is the rateable value for those lands and heritages on that day; and

• PF is the poundage figure of 0.441.

Changes in rateable value on or after 1st April 2007

9.—(1) Where, on or after 1st April 2007, the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is increased with effect from a day in the relevant year (the “effective day”), the ARP shall not be payable and the amount payable as rates shall, as regards days in that year on and after the effective day, be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• ARP has the same meaning as in regulation 7;

• IRV is the increased rateable value of those lands and heritages;

• RV is their rateable value immediately prior to the effective day; and

• PF is the poundage figure of 0.441.

(2) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is reduced with effect from a day in the relevant year on or after 1st April 2007, as a result of–

(a) a material change of circumstances (within the meaning of section 37(1) of the 1975 Act); or

(b) the assessor amending or adding an apportionment note under paragraph 2 of Schedule 5 to the 1992 Act,

the ARP shall not be payable but shall, as regards days in that year on and after that effective day, be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• ARP and RV have the same meanings as in paragraph (1); and

• RRV is the reduced rateable value of those lands and heritages.

PART III MERGERS, SPLITS AND REORGANISATIONS AFTER 31ST MARCH 2007

Application of Part III

10.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where, subsequent to 31st March 2007, lands and heritages are shown in a merged, split or reorganised entry with effect from a day in the relevant year (the “effective day”), this Part shall apply to those lands and heritages as from that effective day.

(2) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages shown–

(a) in a merged or reorganised entry, if that entry does not show (in whole or in part) any lands and heritages in respect of which–

(i) regulation 7; or

(ii) this Part,

applied for the day immediately prior to the effective day of that entry;

(b) in a split entry, if neither regulation 7 nor this Part applied in respect of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry, for the day immediately before the effective day of the split entry.

Mergers and reorganisations – amount payable as rates

11.—(1) Subject to regulation 13 and Parts IV to VI, where lands and heritages to which this Part applies are shown in a merged or reorganised entry, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• TAL is the total of the applicable liabilities in respect of each relevant old entry, ascertained in accordance with paragraph (2);

• RV is the rateable value shown in the merged or reorganised entry; and

• TORV is the total old rateable value, being the total of the rateable values shown in the relevant old entries.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), the applicable liability in respect of an old entry is–

(a) where regulation 7 applies in respect of the lands and heritages shown in that entry for the day immediately before the effective day of the merged or reorganised entry, the amount determined thereunder (before application of Parts IV to VI);

(b) where this Part applies in respect of those lands and heritages for that day, the amount determined under this Part (before application of Parts IV to VI); and

(c) in any other case, the amount calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• RV is the rateable value shown in the old entry; and

• PF has the same meaning as in regulation 9(1).

Splits – amount payable as rates

12.  Subject to regulation 13 and Parts IV to VI, where lands and heritages to which this Part applies are shown in a split entry, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages, for a day in the relevant year, shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• AD, for the purposes of this regulation, is the amount determined under regulation 7, or as the case may be, this Part, (before application of Parts IV to VI) in respect of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry for the day immediately before the effective day of the split entry;

• RV is the rateable value shown in the split entry; and

• ORV is the old rateable value, being the rateable value shown in the relevant old entry.

Changes in rateable value

13.—(1) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is increased with effect from a day in the relevant year subsequent to 31st March 2007, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages for any day in the relevant year (“the effective day”) on or after that effective day shall, subject to Parts IV to VI, be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• AD, for the purposes of this regulation, is the amount determined under whichever of regulations 11(1) or 12 applies (before application of Parts IV to VI) in respect of those lands and heritages for the day immediately prior to the effective day;

• IRV is the increased rateable value of those lands and heritages;

• RV is their rateable value immediately prior to the effective day; and

• PF has the same meaning as in regulation 9(1).

(2) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is reduced with effect from a day in the relevant year, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages for any day in the relevant year on or after that effective day shall, subject to Parts IV to VI, be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• AD and RV have the same meanings as in paragraph (1); and

• RRV is the reduced rateable value of those lands and heritages.

(3) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages is changed for a second or subsequent time whilst this Part applies to them, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall have effect with the substitution, in the definition of “AD” in paragraph (1), for “whichever of regulations 11(1) or 12 applies” of “this paragraph or paragraph (2)”.

PART IV LANDS AND HERITAGES WITH RATEABLE VALUE OF £11,500 OR LESS

Amount payable as rates

14.—(1) This regulation applies to lands and heritages on a day in the relevant year where they have a rateable value of £11,500 or less.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), where the cumulative rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies falls within one of the ranges specified in column 1 (cumulative rateable value range) of the table below, the amount of rates payable shall be reduced by the percentage of rate relief specified in the corresponding entry in column 2 (percentage of rate relief).

Cumulative rateable value range	Percentage of rate relief
Less than £3,500	50%
£3,500 or above but less than £4,500	40%
£4,500 or above but less than £5,750	30%
£5,750 or above but less than £7,000	20%
£7,000 or above but less than £8,000	10%

(3) Where the amount of rates payable in respect of any lands and heritages to which this regulation applies falls to be–

(a) reduced by virtue of one or more of the following enactments:–

(i) section 4(2) of the 1962 Act(11);

(ii) section 24(3) of the 1966 Act(12);

(iii) section 24A of the 1966 Act(13);

(iv) the 1978 Act;

(v) paragraphs 3 and 3A of Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act(14); or

(b) determined in accordance with sections 6(1) and 7B(2) of the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act 1956(15),

then the amount of rate relief shall be restricted to 5% in respect of the rates payable as so reduced or, as the case may be, determined.

(4) Where the amount of rates payable in respect of any lands and heritages to which this regulation applies falls to be reduced or remitted by virtue of a rating authority exercising any of the powers listed at regulation 18(b), and paragraph (3) does not apply, then the percentage of rate relief as calculated under paragraph (2) shall be applied to the rates payable as so reduced or, as the case may be, remitted.

(5) Where the cumulative rateable value is £8,000 or above but includes lands and heritages which are valued at £11,500 or less, then the amount of rate relief for any such lands and heritages that are valued at £11,500 or less shall be 5%.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation the “cumulative rateable value” is the total rateable value of all lands and heritages occupied by an individual ratepayer in Scotland.

PART V LANDS AND HERITAGES WITH RATEABLE VALUE OF MORE THAN £29,000

Amount payable as rates

15.—(1) This regulation applies to lands and heritages on any day in the relevant year when they have a rateable value exceeding £29,000.

(2) The additional amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year on which this regulation applies to them shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• AARP is the additional amount of rates payable;

• RV is the rateable value of the lands and heritages on that day;

• S is the additional factor of 0.003.

PART VI REDUCTIONS, REMISSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

Charitable and other reductions

16.—(1) This regulation has effect for determining the amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year where–

(a) that amount falls to be reduced by virtue of one or more of the following enactments:–

(i) section 4(2) of the 1962 Act;

(ii) section 24(3) of the 1966 Act;

(iii) the 1978 Act;

(iv) paragraphs 3 and 3A of Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act;

(b) regulation 7 or Part III or, as the case may be, Part V has effect as regards those lands and heritages for that day; and

(c) regulation 17 does not have effect.

(2) Where this regulation has effect, the amount payable shall be determined by applying the enactments referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to the amount determined under regulation 7 or Part III, as the case may be, in the same manner as those enactments are applied to the full amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year in the case where neither regulation 7 nor Part III has effect.

(3) For the purpose of paragraph (2), the amount determined under regulation 7 shall include any such additional amounts payable as rates under Part V.

Partially unoccupied lands and heritages

17.—(1) This regulation has effect for determining the amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year where–

(a) on that day those lands and heritages are subject to an apportionment under section 24A of the 1966 Act; and

(b) regulation 7 or Part III or, as the case may be, Part V has effect as regards those lands and heritages for that day.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where this regulation has effect, the amount payable shall be calculated in accordance with the formula–

where–

• A is the amount for the day determined under regulation 7, Part III or Part V, as the case may be;

• ARV is the applicable rateable value, being the rateable value treated for rating purposes as the rateable value of the lands and heritages in terms of subsection (2), or as the case may be subsection (4), of section 24A of the 1966 Act; and

• RV is the rateable value shown in the roll for those lands and heritages.

(3) Where–

(a) this regulation has effect as regards lands and heritages for a day in the relevant year; and

(b) the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages for that day falls to be reduced by virtue of an enactment referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i), (iii) or (iv) of regulation 16,

the amount payable shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (2) of that regulation, but as if for “regulation 7 or Part III, as the case may be,” in that paragraph there were substituted “regulation 17(2)”.

Exemptions and discretionary reductions and remissions

18.  Nothing in these Regulations–

(a) shall require rates to be paid in respect of lands and heritages for a day where those lands and heritages are under any enactment entirely exempt from rates for that day; or

(b) shall prejudice the power of a rating authority to grant a reduction or remission of rates under section 4(5) of the 1962 Act(16), section 25A of the 1966 Act(17) or paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act(18).

PART VII REVOCATION

Revocation

19.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) , the 2006 Regulations are hereby revoked.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall affect the continuing operation of the 2006 Regulations as regards any day prior to 1st April 2007.

TOM McCABE

A member of the Scottish Executive

St Andrew’s House,

Edinburgh

6th March 2007