Frequently asked information requests
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council receives regular Freedom of Information requests for information about the borough.
As many of these requests are for similar information we are making Business Rates data available electronically:
Notes about the data
- all data sets will be updated in January, April, July and October each year
- the ratepayers name and correspondence address will only be shown for companies and other organisations
- if the ratepayer is an individual those fields will be blank as required by the Data Protection Act
- the ratepayer is responsible for paying the rates but may not be the owner of the property, you can find out who owns a property from the Land Registry
- our property reference number is also used by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) which values property for rating purposes
All business properties
This list includes all properties in the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council area that are subject to Business Rates.
The data includes property reference and address, ratepayers name and correspondence address, date the ratepayer became liable, rateable value and description.
Business Rates and Council Tax Account Information
We no longer publish information through our Publication Scheme about Business Rates or Council Tax accounts that currently have credit balances accrued, and it is unlikely (although each request will be decided on its merits) that these data sets will be released as part of Freedom of Information requests. We hold this information, but we have evidence to show that disclosure is likely to result in fraudulent refund claims being made to us. We are placing an exemption on this information under section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (prevention or detection of crime).
Public Interest Test
As part of the decision to place an exemption on the release of this information, we have considered the public interest test. We recognise that there is a limited public interest in releasing the information, as it could assist the public in understanding and transparency about the Council’s finances. However, the Council undertakes a range of activities to ensure business owners and council taxpayers are aware of any credits that might be due, including writing directly to the customer, and advertising the credits on their council tax bills, and online accounts. We have evidence that releasing this information can, and has, led to fraudulent claims which have had a detrimental impact on public finances and therefore to the wider public. As such, it is our view that the public interest in protecting and preserving public finances, and preventing opportunities for crime wherever possible, outweighs the public interests in releasing the information in this case.