Flooding Support for Businesses

Council Invites Applicants for Flooding Hardship Scheme

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting applications to a Flooding Hardship Scheme, which is part of a package of funding from the Department for Economy (DfE).

The purpose of the Flooding Hardship Scheme is to provide support to businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding in October/November 2023 but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.

The Flooding Hardship Scheme is open for applications and closes on 29 March 2024 at 12 noon. Applications are to be made via an online portal.

Applicants will be required to submit appropriate evidence to support their application. All awards are subject to funding availability and late applications will not be accepted.

An online information session will be held on Thursday 21 March from 12.30-1.30pm. Register here.

For further support or information, applicants are asked to contact: flooding@nmandd.org

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting applications to an Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.

The scheme for eligible businesses opens on 27 February 2024 at 12 noon and closes on 22 March 2024 at 12 noon.

Applications are to be made via an online portal at: SmartSimple | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. (smartsimpleuk.com).

The Enhanced Flood Support Scheme will provide further support to businesses that were directly flooded following the severe weather in late October and early November. The support is in addition to the £7,500 grants and rates relief that has been provided to date to affected businesses.

The purpose of the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme grant is to provide up to £100,000 additional support to eligible businesses to help them re-open and resume trading, or remain open and continue trading.

Applicants will have two options to choose from during the process dependant on the level of eligible costs incurred, or to be incurred.
Applicants will be required to submit appropriate evidence to support their application.
All awards are subject to funding availability and late applications will not be accepted.

Should they require further support or information, applicants are asked to contact: flooding@nmandd.org

Economy Minister Conor Murphy made the announcement of the support package for businesses affected by recent flooding. The Minister also announced two hardship schemes to provide support for businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding at the end of October/early November 2023 but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.

Details of how to apply for the two hardship schemes will be made available in the coming weeks.

Rate Relief Schemes for Businesses

Land and Property Services (LPS) has announced that businesses will receive 100% relief from non-domestic rates on flooded properties for the period between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024. The rate relief measures will include 100% relief for non-domestic rates on flooded properties as well as support to help businesses temporarily relocate.

Ratepayers do not have to make an application for the relief. The Council will provide LPS with a list of flooded properties and LPS will automatically apply the relief to the rate account.

Ratepayers who have already paid their rates for the current year in full will receive a refund. For more information please click here

Advice and Support for General Flooding Incidents

Rate Relief Schemes for Businesses

Land and Property Services (LPS) can assist ratepayers and businesses experiencing financial difficulties. It is essential that ratepayers impacted by flooding contact LPS as soon as possible to discuss options that best suit their circumstances.

Click here to view the LPS webinar presentation which outlines different rate relief options: Land & Property Services Online Information Session

Land & Property Services
T: 0300 200 7801 (calls charged at local rate)
Text Relay: 18001 0300 200 7801
W: www.finance-ni.gov.uk/contacts/contact-land-property-services

Business Support Non-Domestic & Commercial properties

• Information and an online Application Form to have a property’s valuation revised is available on www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-rates-valuing-alterations-existing-properties

• When Land & Property Services (LPS) receives an application a LPS Valuer will visit and assess the property to determine if the damage merits an amendment to the Net Annual Value and revision of the Valuation List entry.

• If the application does not result in an amendment to the Valuation List, ratepayers may consider applying for relief under the Hardship Rate Relief Scheme.

Hardship Rate Relief Scheme

Hardship Rate Relief for non-domestic rates is aimed at providing rate relief to assist a business in its recovery from a temporary crisis resulting from an exceptional circumstance.

Download an application form from the nibusinessinfo website: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/hardship-rate-relief

To download the LPS Hardship Rate Relief booklet please click HERE

Non Domestic Vacant Rating (and Exclusions)

Businesses can apply for rate relief for vacant commerical properties.

Download an application form from the nibusinessinfo website: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/non-domestic-vacant-rating

Land & Property Services (LPS)

Land & Property Services (LPS) can consider the circumstances of properties impacted by flooding on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on Rates Relief please click on the following links:

Downloads

Rate Relief Presentation NMDDC-November 2023
Download