Local Government Finance Act 1988

47 Discretionary relief. E+W

(1) Where [F1 the first and second conditions mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) below [F2 or the rural settlement condition and the second condition mentioned in subsection (3) below][F3 , or the condition relating to relief for former agricultural premises mentioned in subsection (3C) below and the second condition mentioned in subsection (3) below,][F4 or the small business condition and the second condition mentioned in subsection (3) below,] are fulfilled] [F1 the condition mentioned in subsection (3) below is fulfilled] for a day which is a chargeable day within the meaning of section 43 or 45 above (as the case may be)—

(a) the chargeable amount for the day shall be such as is determined by, or found in accordance with rules determined by, the [F5 billing authority] concerned, and

(b) sections [F6 43(4) to (6B)] and 44 above, sections [F7 45(4) to (4B)] and 46 above, [F8 regulations under [F9 section 57A or 58] below or any provision of or made under Schedule 7A below] (as the case may be) shall not apply as regards the day.

(2) [F10 The first condition is that one or more of the following applies on the chargeable day—

(a) the ratepayer is a charity or trustees for a charity, and the hereditament is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes (whether of that charity or of that and other charities);

(b) the hereditament is not an excepted hereditament, and all or part of it is occupied for the purposes of one or more institutions or other organisations none of which is established or conducted for profit and each of whose main objects are charitable or are otherwise philanthropic or religious or concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts;

[F11 (ba) the ratepayer is a registered club for the purposes of Schedule 18 to the Finance Act 2002 (community amateur sports clubs), and the hereditament is not an excepted hereditament and is wholly or mainly used—

(i) for the purposes of that club, or

(ii) for the purposes of that club and of other such registered clubs;]

(c) the hereditament is not an excepted hereditament, it is wholly or mainly used for purposes of recreation, and all or part of it is occupied for the purposes of a club, society or other organisation not established or conducted for profit.]

(3) The [F12 second] condition is that, during a period which consists of or includes the chargeable day, a decision of the [F5 billing authority] concerned operates to the effect that this section applies as regards the hereditament concerned.

F13 [(3A) [F14 The rural settlement condition is—

[F15 (aa) that the hereditament is situated in England,]

(a) that on the chargeable day the hereditament is within a settlement identified in the billing authority’s rural settlement list for the chargeable financial year in which that day falls, and

(b) that the rateable value of the hereditament shown in the local non-domestic rating list at the beginning of the chargeable financial year is not more than any amount prescribed by the Secretary of State by order.]

(3B) [F14 Where section 43(6B)(c) above does not apply, the billing authority shall not, by virtue of subsection (3A) above, make such a decision as is referred to in subsection (3) above unless it is satisfied that—

(a) the hereditament is used for purposes which are of benefit to the local community, and

(b) it would be reasonable for the billing authority to make such a decision, having regard to the interests of persons liable to pay council tax set by it]]

[F16 (3C) [F14 The condition relating to relief for former agricultural premises is that on the chargeable day section 43(6F) above applies to the hereditament.]]

[F17 (3D) [F14 The small business condition is—

(a) that the hereditament is situated in Wales, and

(b) that on the chargeable day section 43(4B) above applies to the hereditament]]

(4) A determination under subsection (1)(a) above—

(a) must be such that the chargeable amount for the day is less than the amount it would be apart from this section;

(b) may be such that the chargeable amount for the day is 0;

(c) may be varied by a further determination of the authority under subsection (1)(a) above.

(5) In deciding what the chargeable amount for the day would be apart from this section the effect of any regulations under [F18 section 57A or 58] below and of any provision of or made under Schedule 7A below shall be taken into account but anything which has been done or could be done under section 49 below shall be ignored.

[F19 (5A) So far as a decision under subsection (3) above would have effect where none of section 43(6) above, section 43(6B) above and subsection (5B) below applies, the billing authority may make the decision only if it is satisfied that it would be reasonable for it to do so, having regard to the interests of persons liable to pay council tax set by it.

(5B) This subsection applies on the chargeable day if—

(a) all or part of the hereditament is occupied for the purposes of one or more institutions or other organisations—

(i) none of which is established or conducted for profit, and

(ii) each of whose main objects are charitable or are otherwise philanthropic or religious or concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts, or

(b) the hereditament—

(i) is wholly or mainly used for purposes of recreation, and

(ii) all or part of it is occupied for the purposes of a club, society or other organisation not established or conducted for profit.

(5C) A billing authority in England, when making a decision under subsection (3) above, must have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(5D) A billing authority in Wales, when making a decision under subsection (3) above, must have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.]

(6) A decision under subsection (3) above may be revoked by a further decision of the authority.

(7) A decision under subsection (3) above is invalid as regards a day if made [F20 more than six months] after the end of the financial year in which the day falls.

(8) The Secretary of State may make regulations containing provision—

(a) requiring notice to be given of any determination or decision;

(b) limiting the power to revoke a decision or vary a determination;

(c) as to other matters incidental to this section.

[F21 (8A) This section does not apply where the hereditament is an excepted hereditament.]

(9) A hereditament is an excepted hereditament if all or part of it is occupied (otherwise than as trustee) by

F22 [(a) a billing authority; or

(b) a precepting authority, other than the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District or charter trustees][F23 ; or

(c) a functional body, within the meaning of the Greater London Authority Act 1999].

[F24 (10) This section does not apply where the hereditament is zero-rated under section 45A.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 47(1) substituted (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(2), 240(3)(d) (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b) (with arts. 9, 10)

F2 Words in s. 47(1) inserted (19.11.1997) by 1997 c. 29, s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(a); S.I. 1997/2752, art. 2(1) (with art. 2(2))

F3 Words in s. 47(1) inserted (15.8.2001 for E. and otherwiseprosp.) by 2001 c. 14, ss. 2(1)(2), 6(2); S.I. 2001/2580, art. 2(2)

F4 Words in s. 47(1) inserted (27.11.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 61(6), 128(4)(b); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F5 Words in s. 47(1)(a)(3) substituted (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 65(1) (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))

F6 Words in s. 47(1)(b) substituted (19.11.1997) by 1997 c. 29, s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(a); S.I. 1997/2752, art. 2(1) (with art. 2(2))

F7 Words in s. 47(1)(b) substituted (19.7.2007 with effect in accordance with s. 3(3) of the amending Act) by Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 (c. 9), s. 3(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)

F8 Words substituted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1), s. 139, Sch. 5 para. 26(2)

F9 Words in s. 47(1)(b) substituted (25.11.2004 for E.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(3)(e), Sch. 7 para. 10; S.I. 2004/3132, art. 3(1)(e) (with art. 4)

F10 S. 47(2) repealed (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(3), 240(3)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 10 (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b)(c) (with arts. 9, 10)

F11 S. 47(2)(ba) inserted (1.4.2004) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 64(3), 128(6); S.I. 2003/2938, art. 7(a) (with art. 8 Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II; S.I. 2003/2938, art. 7(a) (with art. 8 Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II

F12 Word in s. 47(3) repealed (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(4), 240(3)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 10 (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b)(c) (with arts. 9, 10)

F13 S. 47(3A)(3B) inserted (19.11.1997) by 1997 c. 29, s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(b); S.I. 1997/2752, art. 2(1) (with art. 2(2))

F14 S. 47(3A)-(3D) repealed (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(5), 240(3)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 10 (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b)(c) (with arts. 9, 10)

F15 S. 47(3A)(aa) inserted (1.4.2007) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 63(3), 128(4)(b); S.I. 2006/3339, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F16 S. 47(3C) inserted (15.8.2001 for E. and otherwise prosp.) by 2001 c. 14, s. 2(1)(3), 6(2); S.I. 2001/2580, art. 2(2)

F17 S. 47(3D) inserted (27.11.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 61(7), 128(4)(b); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F18 Words in s. 47(5) substituted (25.11.2004 for E.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(3)(e), Sch. 7 para. 10; S.I. 2004/3132, art. 3(1)(e) (with art. 4)

F19 S. 47(5A)-(5D) inserted (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(6), 240(3)(d) (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b) (with arts. 9, 10)

F20 Words in s. 47(7) inserted (1.4.1997) by 1997 c. 29, s. 33(1), Sch. 3 para. 23; S.I. 1997/1097, art. 2(b)(c)

F21 S. 47(8A) inserted (15.1.2012 for E. for specified purposes, 31.1.2012 for W., 1.4.2012 in force for E. in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 69(7), 240(3)(d) (with s. 69(8)); S.I. 2012/57, art. 3(b); S.I. 2012/193, art. 2(b); S.I. 2012/628, art. 5(b) (with arts. 9, 10)

F22 Words in s. 47(9) substituted (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 65(2) (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))

F23 S. 47(9)(c) and “; or” immediately preceding it inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 138 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, art. 4

F24 S. 47(10) inserted (19.7.2007 with effect in accordance with s. 3(3) of the amending Act) by Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 (c. 9), s. 3(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 47 applied (4.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/263, regs. 1, 16(5)

S. 47 amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 29

C2 S. 47(2)(a) modified by S.I. 1990/145, reg. 3(7)