Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF)

Guidance on the fund was issued on 19 December 2021 allowing the relief to be applied when rates are payable for the 2021/22 financial year. The fund is available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic, but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates.

The council carefully selected businesses to receive the limited funds available, based on how they have been affected by COVID-19 and the business support already provided. All eligible businesses have been contacted by our service partner Liberata, and rates relief has been applied. Businesses contacted who did not meet the necessary criteria had the opportunity to ‘Opt Out’, via a customer webform (based on any incorrect assumptions made in relation to their eligibility).

COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) relief awards were made on a discretionary basis and were subject to available funds. Decisions are final and there is no appeals process. Therefore, if you did not receive any communication from Liberata, then you were not selected for an award.

Support provided

Eligible businesses identified received a 55 percent reduction to their business rates bills for the 2021 to 2022 tax year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022), within a limit of £100,000 per premises. A credit has been applied directly to Business Rates accounts and this has been calculated based on 2021/22 Business Rates bills.

The COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) relief is subject to the property’s continuing eligibility. The amount of relief awarded may need to be recalculated in the event of a change of circumstances. This could include, for example, a backdated change to the rateable value or the premises. This change of circumstances could arise during the year in question or during a later year. We will remove any discount and claw back any refund given (assuming it is a cash refund) if we later find the business is not entitled.

Target sectors for support

Typical sectors and types of businesses identified for support, include: car repairs, smaller charities, commercial cleaning, construction, food wholesaler, freight, dentists and GP surgeries, manufacturing, office rental, plumbing/electricians, printers, support services and those within the air travel sector (the list is not exhaustive).

Sectors and types of businesses excluded

Typical sectors and types of businesses which are excluded, include professional services; accountancy; building materials; larger charities; consultants; real estate/estate agents; finance; housing; insurance; IT support; property developers; property management; recruitment; school; security; self storage; solicitors; vets (the list is not exhaustive).

General exclusions

You will not be eligible for this relief:

• If you are a ratepayer who for the same period of the relief either are or would have been eligible for the Extended Retail Discount (covering Retail, Hospitality and Leisure), the Nursery Discount or the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS).
• If it is for a premises/hereditament during a period when it is unoccupied (other than hereditaments which have become closed temporarily due to the government’s advice on COVID-19, which should be treated as occupied for the purposes of this relief).
• For networks supplying utilities and associated properties.
• For premises in some industry sectors that have experienced less of a negative impact in general (e.g. Energy, Water & Waste Management, Information & Communication, Financial Services, Real Estate, Professional Services, Public Administration, Storage & Distribution).
• Retail chains & chain companies
• If you are not registered for business rates.
• If you are already in receipt of full business rates relief.
• If you are in liquidation or bankrupt.
• If you do not meet the relevant subsidy control requirements

How to contact Liberata about  COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF)

There is no call centre facility for this service, however, eligible businesses can make contact through the Liberata contact us form

Please allow at least five working days for a response.