Details of this programme and the various schemes of assistance can be found at this website:

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/?lang=en

To help you navigate the schemes Cadwyn Clwyd have produced this handy summary. Windows for applications for grant funding open and close during the year.  If you have any enquiries about applying for assistance then Cadwyn Clwyd would be pleased to help.  They can be contacted on 01490  340500.

Rural Community Development Fund

The Rural Community Development Fund (RCDF) offers grants that are primarily for capital investment projects led by community-based organisations. The grants will provide investment funding for a wide range of activities to help meet local needs and strengthen communities so that they can grow and thrive.  Key areas for support will include: drawing up of community / village development plans; investments in small scale infrastructure including renewable energy; investments in ICT including broadband and digital inclusion; improving access to services such as childcare, rural transport and  financial advice; investments in recreational, tourist infrastructure and activities to improve health and quality of life.  The maximum grant contribution per project from RCDF is £128,000 and the minimum is £2,400.  Applicants must secure 50% of the total eligible project costs (for 7.1 and studies under 7.6) and 20% of the total eligible project costs (for investments under 7.2 – 7.7).

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/rural-community-development-fund/?lang=en

 Food Business Investment Scheme

The Food Business Investment Scheme (FBIS) is designed to help primary producers of agricultural products and businesses that do first and/or second stage processing activities in Wales. The scheme can provide capital investment and other support to projects where at least 90% eligible agricultural products are processed. The scheme is open to applications from a wide range of enterprises involved in primary and/or secondary processing of agricultural products, including:  sole traders, voluntary sector organisations, private and public limited companies (SME and Large Enterprises), farm businesses that want to process their own agricultural products, and new businesses, including start-up businesses. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £5,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400. Varying grant rates depending on size of enterprise.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/food-business-investment-scheme/?lang=en

Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme

The Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme aims to support proposals seeking to facilitate, develop or establish new collaborations and activities and to help potential new collaborations develop project proposals, which work to improve the management of our natural resources and contribute to the well-being of our rural communities. Examples of eligible activities under the scheme include: the development and co-ordination of collaborative groups; communication and dissemination activities; technical and feasibility studies; and monitoring and evaluation activities. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual project is £180,000 and the minimum is £10,000. The maximum grant rate is up to 100%.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/co-operative-forest-planning-scheme/?lang=en

Sustainable Management Scheme

The Sustainable Management scheme will provide financial support for a range of activities that will improve the management of our natural resources and in doing so contribute to the well-being of our rural communities. The scheme offers grants to collaborative groups looking to: improve our natural resources and the benefits they provide, take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve business and community resilience to the impacts of climate change. Grants can range from a minimum of £10,000 to a maximum of £5,000,000 to help start up and facilitate new collaborations through to landscape-scale ambition co-ordinating actions and input from several parties to achieve lasting benefits across our communities.  The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 100% of the total cost.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/sustainable-management-scheme/?lang=en

Co-operation and Supply Chain Development

The Co-operation and Supply Chain Development scheme (C&SCDS) is designed to help make new things happen. It will provide support for a broad range of matters and for all aspects of a project, from the initial stages through to delivery and into dissemination and evaluation. The scheme cannot support joint activities that are already taking place but can support an existing group in undertaking a new joint project.  The scheme aims to support the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agriculture, forestry and food sectors, including:  small businesses working together to share production facilities and resources, short supply chains and local markets including promotion activities in a local context, and pilot projects where the information is made publicly available and widely disseminated. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual co-operation project is £10,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400. Varying maximum grant rate.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/co-operation-supply-chain-development-scheme/?lang=en

Sustainable Production Grant Scheme

The Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) scheme is a capital grant support package aimed at farmers. The SPG Scheme aims to provide capital investment in facilities and equipment that relate to: animal health and welfare; crop storage; production housing and handling; renewable energy production; and soil and crop management.  The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 40% of the total investment cost, regardless of the size of the enterprise and location.  The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £400,000 and the minimum is £16,000. The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 40% of the total investment cost regardless of the size of the enterprise and location.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/sustainable-management-scheme/?lang=en

Timber Business Investment Scheme

The Timber Business Investment scheme provides funding for capital investments that add value to forests by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or timber processing. The scheme is open to private forest owners, local authorities, certain other public sector forest owners and small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and  community organisations or forestry contractors.  Investments supported by the scheme must be related to improvements in value in forests, for example by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or in-forest or small-scale timber processing. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £5,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400.

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/timber-business-investment-scheme/?lang=en

Business Rates Bills for 2017/18

Annual bills for the next financial year will be sent within the next few weeks and there will be some significant changes from last year. The key points are:

Rateable Value & Appeals

Because 2017 is a revaluation year some businesses may see a large increase or reduction in their Rateable Value from their current valuation. In other cases the values will be broadly static. The Rateable Values are assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, an executive function of HRMC. The Valuation Office Agency also manages all appeals against the Rateable Values and any questions regarding should be sent to them, their contact details are as follows:

Contact the Valuation Office. Telephone: 03000 505505

Each year Welsh Government sets the Business Rates Multiplier and informs Local Authorities of their value, any bills that are issued must, by law show the multiplier. The Multiplier has been set at 49.9p for 2017/18

Small Business Rates Relief

Welsh Government has extended the current scheme so that Businesses with a Rateable Value below £6,000 will receive 100% Relief and Businesses whose Rateable Value is £6,000 to £12,000 will receive a reducing tapered relief. Businesses whose Rateable Value is greater than £12,000 will receive no relief. There are qualification criteria, as set down by the Welsh Assembly. The rules are as follows

• The property must be occupied at the time of claiming relief
• Public Sector Bodies such as Council’s are not eligible for relief
• Ratepayers receiving Mandatory Charitable Relief are not eligible for relief
• Certain classes of properties such as Car Parks, Advertising Rights and Telephone Communication masts are not eligible for relief

For those businesses that already get this relief there is no need to re-apply as the New Year amount will be automatically calculated. However some properties may now be eligible for relief and if you want us to review your case please contact us at:

businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk / Telephone 01824 706326

 Transitional Relief

Welsh Government has introduced a scheme to help protect small businesses from the impact of the revaluation, limiting the increase in the amounts payable for 2017/18 and future years. The scheme is designed as follows.

• The limit on increases in the rates bill from 2016/17 to 2017/18 will be capped at 25% above £100
• Any increase in the rates payable up to £100 will receive no transitional relief
• The transitional relief is linked to the account as at 1^st April 2017 so any change in liability eg a change in occupiers will cease the relief from the date of change.

The qualification criteria is as follows:

• The Property must have received Small Business Rates Relief on 31^st March 2017 (Please see section above on Small Business Rates Relief)
• The Ratepayer must have had an increase in the annual bill greater than £100
• The Property must be occupied on 31^st March 2017 and 1^st April 2017
• No Transitional Relief is payable on empty properties
• Any changes in liability ie property becoming empty or change of occupier will cease the relief

There is no need to apply for this relief as the New Year amount will be automatically calculated. However if you believe you should have qualified but have not received any relief and want us to review your case please contact us at:

businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk / Telephone 01824 706326

High Street Retail Relief

Welsh Government has announced a new targeted relief scheme, designed to help high street retailers where the Business has had a significant increase in their bill. There are two levels of support, based upon the 2017/18 Rateable Value and there are qualification criteria for this relief, further details are shown below

• Tier 1 Support – A maximum amount of £500 or the total remaining liability (after the application of Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief) for 2017/18 where the 1^st April 2017 Rateable Value is between £6,001 and £12,000 and the property qualifies for either Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief in 2017/18.
• Tier 2 Support – A maximum amount of £1,500 for 2017/18 where the 1^st April 2017 Rateable Value is between £12,001 and £50,000 and the property does not qualify for either Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief in 2017/18 and has had an increase in their bill.
• Currently there is no additional support for Businesses whose Rateable Value is greater than £50,000

The qualification criteria is as follows:

• To be eligible Properties must be occupied and wholly or mainly used for retail functions as defined by Welsh Government
• The relief if awarded when combined with any other grant aid cannot be above the EU State aid limits and a state aid disclaimer will need to be completed in all cases
• The relief is only applicable to Businesses occupying premises on 1^st April 2017, any change in occupier will cease the relief and any new occupier will not be entitled to this relief
• There is a defined list of excluded Business types as defined by Welsh Government

Find out more in the High Street Rates Relief Guidance

Payment Options

Did you know the following payment methods are really quick, reliable and easy to set up?

• Paying by Direct Debit
• Internet Payments through our website
• Telephone payments
• Details are available at our website http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-rates/business-rates.aspx or contact us at / Telephone 0300 456 2499