Local authorities may provide information and advice to new or existing businesses on aspects of running a business such as starting up or expanding, commercial rates, planning and suitable locations and properties.
Local authorities provide information and advice to business owners about the commercial rates they must pay, account balances, rate exemptions and transfers.
Occupiers of rateable commercial properties such as shops, offices, factories, warehouses, hotels and licensed premises must pay commercial rates on their property to the local authority.
Local authorities may monitor economic performance indicators. These indicators include employment, enterprise, investment, housing, consumer behaviour and commercial property to benchmark their progress against local and national policy targets.