PART IINTRODUCTORY

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 and shall come into force on 1st April 1999.

Interpretation -� general

2. In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires-�

"the 1962 Act" means the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962(2);

"the 1966 Act" means the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966(3);

"the 1975 Act" means the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975(4);

"the 1992 Act" means the Local Government Finance Act 1992(5);

"the 1997 Act" means the Local Government and Rating Act 1997(6);

"the 1998 Regulations" means the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 1998(7);

"new entry", in relation to a split, merged or reorganised entry, means an entry in the roll taking effect from the day on which the merged, split or reorganised entry takes effect;

"old entry", in relation to a merged, split or reorganised entry, means an entry in the roll for the day immediately prior to the day from which the merged, split or reorganised entry takes effect;

"part residential subjects" has the meaning assigned to it in section 99(1) of the 1992 Act;

"rateable value", in relation to lands and heritages and a particular date, means-�

and includes a rateable value so entered with retrospective effect;

"rates" means non-domestic rates levied under section 7B of the 1975 Act(8);

"the relevant year" means the period of 12 months beginning with 1st April 1999;

"the roll" means a valuation roll made up under section 1 of the 1975 Act(9).

Interpretation -� mergers

3. In these Regulations-�

(a)"a merged entry" means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year as a result of lands and heritages shown in two or more old entries being shown in a single new entry, where-�

(i)none of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entries are shown in a new entry, other than in the merged entry; and

(ii)the merged entry does not show any lands and heritages shown in an old entry, other than in the relevant old entries; and

(b)"the relevant old entries", in relation to a merged entry, means the old entries which showed the lands and heritages shown in the merged entry.

Interpretation -� splits

4. In these Regulations-�

(a)"a split entry" means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year as a result of lands and heritages shown in a single old entry being shown in two or more new entries, where-�

(i)none of those new entries show lands and heritages shown in an old entry, other than in the relevant old entry; and

(ii)no lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry are shown in a new entry, other than in those new entries; and

(b)"the relevant old entry", in relation to a split entry, means the old entry which showed the lands and heritages shown in the split entry.

Interpretation -� reorganisations

5. In these Regulations-�

(a)"a reorganised entry" means any entry in the roll taking effect on a day in the relevant year which is not a split or merged entry, and which shows lands and heritages-�

(i)which were to any extent shown in two or more old entries; or

(ii)which are part only of lands and heritages shown in a single old entry and the other part of which is shown to any extent in one or more other new entries;

(b)"reorganisation" means a situation where, with effect from a day in the relevant year, lands and heritages shown immediately before that day in two or more old entries are shown in two or more new entries, each of which is a reorganised entry; and

(c)"the relevant old entries", in relation to a reorganised entry, means the old entries affected by the reorganisation which gave rise to that entry.

PART IILANDS AND HERITAGES SUBJECT TO 1998 REGULATIONS

Application of Part II

6.-(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4) below, this Part applies to lands and heritages which are shown in the roll on 1st April 1999 if either-�

(a)paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 of the 1998 Regulations; or

(b)Part III of those Regulations,

applies to them as regards 31st March 1999, and they are not shown in a merged, split or reorganised entry taking effect on 1st April 1999.

(2) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages which have their rateable value for 1st April 1999 prescribed in an order made under section 6 of the 1975 Act(10), unless they are lands and heritages which have their rateable value for that date prescribed by-�

(a)the Mines and Quarries (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1995(11);

(b)the Electricity Generators (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1995(12);

(c)the Electricity Generators (Aluminium) (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1995(13); or

(d)the Docks and Harbours (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1990(14).

(3) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages which on 1st April 1999 do not have their rateable value prescribed in an order made under section 6 of the 1975 Act if they consist to any extent of lands and heritages which at any time during the period between 1st April 1995 and 31st March 1999 had their rateable value so prescribed.

(4) This Part shall cease, as from the date of any merged, split or reorganised entry taking effect subsequent to 1st April 1999, to apply to the lands and heritages shown in that entry.

Amount payable as rates

7. Where the notional liability in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies and a day in the relevant year is-�

(a)more than their upper transitional limit for that day (ascertained in accordance with regulation 9 below), the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and that day shall, subject to Part V below, be that upper transitional limit;

(b)less than their lower transitional limit for that day (ascertained in accordance with regulation 10 below), the amount so payable shall, subject to that Part, be that lower transitional limit.

Notional liability

8. The notional liability in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies and any day shall be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

Upper transitional limit

9.-(1) The upper transitional limit in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies and any day shall, subject to regulation 12 below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) The appropriate upper figure in respect of lands and heritages is-�

(a)1.135, where the lands and heritages have a rateable value of £10,000 or more on 1st April 1999;

(b)1.084, where the lands and heritages are part residential subjects with a rateable value of less than £10,000 on that date; and

(c)1.109, in any other case.

Lower transitional limit

10.-(1) The lower transitional limit in respect of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies and any day shall, subject to regulation 12 below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) The appropriate lower figure in respect of lands and heritages is-�

(a)0.722, where the lands and heritages have a rateable value of £10,000 or more on 1st April 1999; and

(b)0.671, in any other case.

Base liability

11. The base liability of any lands and heritages to which this Part applies shall be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

Changes in rateable value after 31st March 1999

12.-(1) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is increased with effect from a day in the relevant year subsequent to 1st April 1999, the upper and lower transitional limits in respect of those lands and heritages shall, as regards days in that year on and after that effective day, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is reduced with effect from a day in the relevant year subsequent to 1st April 1999, as a result of-�

(a)a material change of circumstances (within the meaning of section 37(1) of the 1975 Act(15)); or

(b)the assessor amending or adding an apportionment note under paragraph 2 of Schedule 5 to the 1992 Act,

the upper and lower transitional limits in respect of those lands and heritages shall, as regards days in that year on and after that effective day, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(3) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is increased with effect from 1st April 1999, the upper and lower transitional limits in respect of those lands and heritages shall, as regards days prior to either paragraph (1) or (2) above taking effect, be calculated in accordance with the formula in paragraph (1) above, save that for those purposes "TL" shall be calculated in accordance with the formula in regulation 9(1) or the formula in regulation 10(1), as the case may be.

(4) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is reduced with effect from 1st April 1999 for a reason mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) above, the upper and lower transitional limits in respect of those lands and heritages shall, as regards days prior to either paragraph (1) or (2) above taking effect, be calculated in accordance with the formula in paragraph (2) above, save that for those purposes "TL" shall be calculated in accordance with the formula in regulation 9(1) or the formula in regulation 10(1), as the case may be.

PART IIIMERGERS, SPLITS AND REORGANISATIONS AFTER 31ST MARCH 1999

Application of Part III

13.-(1) Where lands and heritages are shown in a merged, split or reorganised entry with effect from a day in the relevant year, this Part shall, subject to paragraphs (2) to (4) below, apply to those lands and heritages as from that effective day.

(2) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages shown-�

(a)in a merged or reorganised entry, if that entry does not show (in whole or in part) any lands and heritages in respect of which-�

(i)paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 of the 1998 Regulations;

(ii)Part III of those Regulations;

(iii)paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above; or

(iv)this Part,

applied as regards the day immediately prior to the effective date of that entry;

(b)in a split entry, if none of the provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above applied in respect of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry and the day immediately prior to the effective date of the split entry;

(c)in a split entry taking effect on 1st April 1999, if paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above would not, had there been no split, have applied in respect of that day and the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry.

(3) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages as regards any day for which their rateable value is prescribed in an order made under section 6 of the 1975 Act (other than an order mentioned in regulation 6(2) above).

(4) This Part shall not apply to lands and heritages as regards any day-�

(a)for which they do not have their rateable value prescribed in an order made under section 6 of the 1975 Act; and

(b)on which they consist to any extent of lands and heritages which have at any time after 31st March 1995 had their rateable value prescribed in such an order.

Mergers and reorganisations -� amount payable as rates

14.-(1) Where lands and heritages to which this Part applies are shown in a merged or reorganised entry, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and a day in the relevant year shall, subject to regulation 16 and Part V below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) above, the applicable liability in respect of an old entry is-�

(a)where the merged or reorganised entry takes effect from 1st April 1999 and paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above would, but for the merger or reorganisation, have applied in respect of that day and the lands and heritages shown in the old entry in question, the amount determined under the paragraph which would have been so applicable (before application of Part V below);

(b)where paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above applies in respect of the lands and heritages shown in that entry and the day immediately prior to the effective date of the merged or reorganised entry, the amount determined under the applicable paragraph (before application of Part V below);

(c)where this Part applies in respect of those lands and heritages and that day, the amount determined under this Part (before application of Part V below); and

(d)in any other case, the amount calculated in accordance with the formula-�

Splits -� amount payable as rates

15.-(1) Where lands and heritages to which this Part applies are shown in a split entry, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and a day in the relevant year shall, subject to regulation 16 and Part V below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) The amount ascertained in accordance with this paragraph is-�

(a)in the case of a split entry taking effect on 1st April 1999, the amount which would have been determined (before application of Part V below) in respect of that day and the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry under whichever of paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above would have been applicable had the split not taken place; and

(b)in any other case, the amount determined under paragraph (a) or (b) of regulation 7 above, or as the case may be this Part, (before application of Part V below) in respect of the lands and heritages shown in the relevant old entry and the day immediately prior to the effective date of the split entry.

Changes in rateable value

16.-(1) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is increased with effect from a day in the relevant year subsequent to 1st April 1999, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and any day in the relevant year on or after that effective day shall, subject to Part V below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(2) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages to which this Part applies is reduced with effect from a day in the relevant year, the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and any day in the relevant year on or after that effective day shall, subject to Part V below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(3) Where the rateable value of lands and heritages is changed for a second or subsequent time whilst this Part applies to them, paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall have effect with the substitution, in the definition of "AD" in paragraph (1), for the words "regulation 14(1) or 15(1) above" of the words "this paragraph or paragraph (2) below".

PART IVLANDS AND HERITAGES WITH RATEABLE VALUE LESS THAN £10,000

Amount payable as rates

17.-(1) This regulation applies to lands and heritages on a day in the relevant year when-�

(a)they have a rateable value of less than £10,000; and

(b)they are not lands and heritages-�

(i)to which Part II or III above applies; or

(ii)which have their rateable value prescribed in an order made under section 6 of the 1975 Act.

(2) The amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages and a day on which this regulation applies to them shall, subject to Part V below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

PART VREDUCTIONS, REMISSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

Charitable and other reductions

18.-(1) This regulation has effect for determining the amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages and a day in the relevant year where-�

(a)that amount falls to be reduced by virtue of one or more of the following enactments:-�

(i)section 4(2) of the 1962 Act(16);

(ii)section 24(3) of the 1966 Act(17);

(iii)the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978(18);

(iv)paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act;

(b)regulation 7 or Part III or IV above has effect as regards those lands and heritages and that day; and

(c)regulation 19 below does not have effect.

(2) Where this regulation has effect, the amount payable shall be determined by applying the enactments referred to in paragraph (1)(a) above to the amount determined under regulation 7 or Part III or IV above, as the case may be, in the same manner as those enactments are applied to the full amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages and a day in a case where neither regulation 7 nor Part III or IV above has effect.

Partially unoccupied lands and heritages

19.-(1) This regulation has effect for determining the amount payable as rates in respect of lands and heritages and a day in the relevant year where-�

(a)on that day those lands and heritages are the subject of an apportionment under section 24A of the 1966 Act(19); and

(b)regulation 7 or Part III or IV above has effect as regards those lands and heritages and that day.

(2) Where this regulation has effect, the amount payable shall, subject to paragraph (3) below, be calculated in accordance with the formula-�

(3) Where-�

(a)this regulation has effect as regards lands and heritages and a day; and

(b)the amount payable as rates in respect of those lands and heritages and that day falls to be reduced by virtue of an enactment referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i), (iii) or (iv) of regulation 18 above,

the amount payable shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (2) of that regulation, but as if for the words "regulation 7 or Part III or IV above, as the case may be," in that paragraph there were substituted the words "regulation 19(2) below".

Exemptions and discretionary reductions and remissions

20. Nothing in these Regulations-�

(a)shall require rates to be paid in respect of lands and heritages and a day where those lands and heritages are under any enactment entirely exempt from rates for that day; or

(b)shall prejudice the power of a rating authority to grant a reduction or remission of rates under section 4(5) of the 1962 Act(20), section 25A of the 1966 Act(21) or paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act.

PART VIREVOCATION

Revocation

21.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, the 1998 Regulations are hereby revoked.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) above shall affect the continuing operation of the 1998 Regulations as regards any day prior to 1st April 1999.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision as to the amount payable in certain circumstances as non-domestic rates in respect of property in Scotland. They apply only to financial year 1999-2000 ("the relevant year").

Part I makes provision as to citation, commencement and interpretation.

Part II deals with amounts payable in respect of property which is shown in the valuation roll as at 1st April 1999. The Part only applies where certain provisions of the Non-Domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 ("the 1998 Regulations") apply to the property as regards 31st March 1999. The Part ceases to apply to property if and when it becomes the subject of a merged, split or reorganised entry in the valuation roll taking effect during the relevant year. For every day of the relevant year, the notional rates liability for a property (basically, the full amount ordinarily payable as rates) must be compared against that property's upper and lower transitional limits. If the notional liability is more than the upper limit or less than the lower limit, the amount payable will be equal to the upper or lower limit, as the case may be (regulation 7). Upper and lower transitional limits are calculated by multiplying a property's notional rates liability for 1998/99 (its "base liability") by set figures (regulations 9 and 10). Regulation 11 makes provision for the calculation of base liability. Regulation 12 specifies how transitional limits are to be recalculated in cases where the rateable value of property changes during the relevant year.

Part III makes provision for the situation where property is shown in a merged, split or reorganised entry in the valuation roll which takes effect during the relevant year. If the amount of rates payable in respect of any component of the property shown in the new entry was being determined under the 1998 Regulations or under these Regulations immediately prior to that entry taking effect, then Part III applies to determine the amount payable in respect of that property for the rest of the year. That amount is calculated by apportioning or aggregating, as the case may be, the amount or amounts payable immediately prior to the effective date of the new entry in respect of the property affected by the new entry (regulations 14 and 15). Regulation 16 provides for amounts payable to be recalculated if there is a change in the rateable value of property whilst Part III applies to it.

Part IV provides for a general reduction in rates for properties with a rateable value of less than £10,000 which are not otherwise covered by these Regulations. Rates will be payable in respect of such properties as if the rates poundage applicable was 48.0p rather than the actual 1999/2000 poundage (48.9p).

Part V deals with reductions, remissions and exemptions. Nothing in the Regulations requires the payment of rates on property which is entirely exempt from rates under any other enactment, or prejudices the power of a rating authority to grant discretionary reductions or remissions (regulation 20). Regulations 18 and 19 provide for reductions under other enactments to apply in cases where the amount payable is determined under Part II, III or IV in the same way as they apply in cases where these Regulations do not have effect.

Part VI revokes the 1998 Regulations.