STOCKTON TOWN CENTRE LOCAL BUSINESS RATES DISCOUNT SCHEME
Application Form BRDS01
The purpose of this form is to establish whether your business is eligible for a Business Rate Discount (BRD) for Stockton Town Centre. Our intention is to make decisions promptly; however this is entirely dependent on the ALL necessary information being provided and therefore we request that all efforts are made to accurately and fully complete the form before submission in order to avoid any delays on decisions made. You can get help in completing this form please contact the Regeneration and Economic Development Team on 01642 526079.
Contact Details
Business/Organisation NameRegistered trading name (if different)
Company registration number
VAT number if appropriate
Contact Name
Position
Alternative contact(s)
Company Address
Telephone
Mobile
Website
Background Information
1. Please detail briefly when your business was formed and its history to date (including major developments) max 250 words2 What are your current business activities and what markets do you operate in?
3. What is the floorspace size (in m2) of your current business premises and what floorspace would you require in Stockton Town Centre? Does this include the Ground Floor only or additional floors?
4 What are the growth plans for the business over the next 2 years?
Please include:
· How you intend to deliver the growth required (see Growth Criteria on page 4);
· Details of market research undertaken and opportunities identified;
· Amount of capital investment to be made;
· Details of new products/services being developed;
· Details of new markets to be targeted;
· The consequences of not proceeding with the expansion project to your business.
5. Which of the Use Classes does your company satisfy and how?
*Please refer to the guidelines for further details
6. Why are you seeking to move into or expanding within Stockton Town Centre?
7. How did you hear about the Discount Scheme?
8. Are you already trading within the Scheme area and if so please state address?
9. If not which property are you looking to locate to? (Please include a copy of the lease for this property)
10. When are you planning to locate to or move within the Scheme area?
11. Are you intending to extend the new premises, or do you require a Change of Use?
If so, have you submitted an appropriate Planning Application to the planning authority for the scheme?
Financial Information
12. Please detail your business’ turnover and net profit after tax for the last 2 years (if applicable)[please enter year] / [please enter year]
Turnover (£)
Net Profit after tax (£)
13. Please detail your business’ projected turnover and net profit after tax for the next 2 years
[please enter year] / [please enter year]
Turnover (£)
Net Profit after tax (£)
14. Please provide details of how your business venture will be funded. You will need to identify the sources of funding. Confirmation of funding approval may also be required.
15. Have you received any state aid / de minimis state aid during the last three years? Please indicate the date the aid was received, the amount of aid and the scheme title. If you have not received any state aid (de minimis or otherwise) please enter “None”.
Further information about state aid, including examples of possible forms of assistance which could comprise state aid can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/policies/europe/state-aid. The BIS publication “The State Aid Guide” June 2011 and “State Aid – A Beginner’s Guide” June 2010 are also useful sources of information.
Growth Criteria - only complete this question if you intend to move from an existing property in the scheme area into a different property in the scheme area.
If you have demonstrated that your business fits the application criteria (see guidelines for business) it is important to demonstrate how your business intends to grow over the next two years. In particular we are looking for you to demonstrate that you intend to meet two of the following criteria:
Increase in employment for each 12 month period
AND / EITHER
10% increase in turnover for each 12 month period
OR
10% increase in profit for each 12 month period
16. How many employees does your business have (both full time and part time)?
(Please note: a full time employee is someone who works 30 hours or more a week)
Existing
Full Time=FT
Part Time=PT
17. If you are planning to create new jobs within your business by moving to Stockton Town Centre please forecast these over which timescale.
[please enter year] / [please enter year] / [please enter year]
Full Time=FT
Part Time=PT
18. Please state what types of jobs, apprenticeships or training opportunities you are planning to create
Job Title / Qualification / NVQ skills level / Full time (FT) or Part Time (PT) / Basic Annual Salary
The Agreement
I hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information provided in this form is accurate and true and fairly and reasonably represents the circumstances of my business. I also confirm that I have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that I am in possession of all relevant information before making this declaration.
I understand that the provision of Business Rate Discount may constitute a State Aid within the meaning of Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (The TFEU). I further understand that there are legal limits in respect of the amount of State Aid that can be received. I understand that I have a duty to declare any State Aid that my business has received in the last three years. I understand that if I knowingly or deliberately make a false statement regarding State Aid or the State Aid measure is declared unlawful that action may be taken against the business, including but not limited to action to recover the aid from the business with interest running from the date the aid was given.
DECLARATION: I understand that approval to receive a Business Rate Discount is subject to conditions and that I understand that any business seeking to locate to Stockton Town Centre must meet the eligibility criteria before they are granted the appropriate discount.
I understand that if my business requires a Local Development Order or a Planning Performance Agreement the business will not be eligible for a discount until these are in place.
I consent to the sharing of information relating to my business rates account and application for Business Rates Discount between those Council services that need to know the information,
I confirm that I am authorised to agree to the terms and conditions detailed above on behalf of the business. I further confirm that I am an authorised signatory within the business with full power and authority to make this declaration.
Signed
Print Name
Position
Date
Please note that your business may be included in any publicity regarding the scheme.
Please note all business debts with Stockton Borough Council must be paid in full before any application can be considered.
Completed applications must be returned to:
James Glancey, Regeneration and Economic Development
Stockton Borough Council, PO Box 34, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1LE
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V1 – April 2013