The Non-Domestic Rating (Levy and Safety Net) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Non-Domestic Rating (Levy and Safety Net) Regulations 2013 (“the Levy and Safety Net Regulations”). The Levy and Safety Net Regulations are part of the system for the local retention of non-domestic rates established by Schedule 7B to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. They make provision for calculating whether the Secretary of State is required to make a safety net payment to an authority and whether an authority is required to make a levy payment to the Secretary of State.

Regulation 2 amends the calculation of retained rates income for the purposes of calculating whether a levy is due to be paid by an authority or a safety net payment is due to be made to an authority. The amendments ensure the proper treatment of small business rate relief in the calculation. The amendments only have effect in respect of financial years commencing on or after 1st April 2014.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument because it amends an existing local tax regime. Publication of a full impact assessment is not necessary for such legislation.