Business rates billing privacy statement

Why we collect information about you

We collect information for the collection and recovery of Business Rates in line with Local Government Finance Act 1988 and subsequent legislation

What information do we collect about you?

We collect information about:

  • Your name, address, contact details
  • Details about your business and the property to establish the correct charge and eligibility for reductions and exemptions
  • Bank details if you pay by direct debit

Who do we share the information with?

  • The Council may share your personal data with partner authorities and service providers for the purpose of administering and collecting business rates. We have a duty to protect public funds and may use your information to perform statutory enforcement duties and data matching for the prevention and detection of fraud and/or crime.
  • We may also share your data with other agencies or organisations where the law allows us to do so and for the prevention and detection of fraud and/or crime. This includes
    • Other departments within the Council
    • Other local authorities
    • Valuation Office Agency
    • Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service
    • Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

Is any information transferred to or stored on servers based outside the European Economic Area?

No

How long do we keep your information?

Your data will be held for as long as your account is open or has a remaining balance payable. Once your account is closed and payments have been made in full your data will be held for six years plus current.

Who do we collect information from?

  • You
  • Property letting agents
  • Other departments within the Council
  • Other local authorities, organisations and agencies
  • Service providers administering and collecting the business rates on the council’s behalf
  • Landlords
  • Previous or future occupiers of the property
  • Agents managing your business rates
  • Solicitors and other parties authorised to act on your behalf

What are the consequences if we do not collect the data?

Business Rates is a statutory tax levied by central government on those responsible for commercial property and is collected locally by the council. A portion is retained by the council. This income, together with income from council tax and the Revenue Support Grant from central Government, is used to pay for the services provided by the council.

If we do not collect data, the council will be unable to fulfil its statutory obligations to collect business rates.

Are any decisions about you made by automatic means?

No