The Non-Domestic Rates (Levying and Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision for the amount payable in certain circumstances as non-domestic rates in respect of non-domestic subjects in Scotland. The non-domestic rate for subjects not covered by these Regulations is fixed by Order made under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975. For the financial year 2022-2023, the rate is fixed by the Non-Domestic Rate (Scotland) Order 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/36).

These Regulations also make miscellaneous amendments to the Non-Domestic Rates (Enterprise Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2016, the Non-Domestic Rates (Telecommunication Installations) (Scotland) Regulations 2016, the Non-Domestic Rates (Transitional Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and the Non-Domestic Rates (Telecommunications New Fibre Infrastructure Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Part 1 provides the title of these Regulations and for their commencement.

Part 2 contains provisions in respect of the levying of non-domestic rates.

Regulation 3 provides for the general reduction in rates for a ratepayer of non-domestic subjects which individually have a rateable value of £18,000 or less, and whose cumulative rateable value does not exceed £35,000. Regulation 3(3) sets out the reduction of either 25% or 100% depending on the value of the subjects.

Regulation 3(4) provides for a reduction in rate relief (calculated in accordance with regulation 3(3)) if the enactments listed in regulation 3(4)(a) or (b) already provide for a reduction or determination. Regulation 3(5) provides that no rate relief is granted in respect of lands and heritages that are receiving relief on account of being unoccupied or are used for payday lending.

Regulation 4 provides a formula for the additional amount payable as rates for lands and heritages with a rateable value exceeding £51,000, but not exceeding £95,000. Regulation 5 provides a formula for the additional amount payable as rates for lands and heritages with a rateable value exceeding £95,000.

Regulations 3 to 5 apply to the financial year 2022-2023.

Regulation 6 allows for exemptions and discretionary reductions and remissions.

The provisions in Part 2 of the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 are revoked by regulation 7, with a saving provision in respect of the financial year 2021-2022.

Part 3 contains miscellaneous amendments in respect of Non-Domestic Rating Regulations.

Regulation 8 amends the Non-Domestic Rates (Enterprise Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2016, which provide relief from non-domestic rates in specified enterprise areas. The relief granted under those Regulations was due to expire on 31 March 2022, but regulation 8 extends the relief until 31 March 2023.

Regulation 9 amends the Non-Domestic Rates (Telecommunication Installations) (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (“the 2016 Regulations”). Regulation 9(2) amends a reference to a document in the definition of a “Mobile Masts Pilot Area” in the 2016 Regulations. These areas are either shown in a specified document with grid coordinates or delineated on three maps named in the 2016 Regulations. A new document is being referred to.

The document and maps are available for inspection online at https://www.gov.scot/publications/4g-infill-programme-non-domestic-rates-relief-mobile-masts/.

Regulation 9(3) provides relief for areas shown in the document from the 2022-23 financial year, with the 2016 Regulations continuing that relief, if other conditions are met, until the end of the 2028-29 financial year.

Regulation 10 amends the Non-Domestic Rates (Transitional Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (“the 2017 Regulations”). Paragraph (2) updates a reference to the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 and updates the definition of “the relevant year”. The relevant year becomes the financial year 2022-23. Paragraph (4)(a) uprates a figure used to calculate entitlement to transitional relief and its maximum amount. Paragraphs (3), (4)(b) and (5)(b) make amendments, namely to regulations 8, 9 and 11 of the 2017 Regulations to reflect the changes to the poundage and supplement references. Paragraph (6) amends regulation 12 to reflect the availability of retail, hospitality and leisure relief, in light of coronavirus, for the first three months of the financial year 2022-23, and updates references to other Regulations.

Regulation 11 amends the Non-Domestic Rates (Telecommunications New Fibre Infrastructure Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2019. The relief granted under those Regulations was due to expire on 31 March 2029, but regulation 11 extends the availability of the relief until 31 March 2034.