Business Rate reports – what you need to know

Starting May 2016, we publish business rate reports. 

About the information we share

Names of sole traders and partners

In line with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) decision, we do not withhold the names of sole traders or business partners. For example, in the Torbay case, the ICO found that sharing these names is fair because the information relates to their business activities - not their private lives. This means publishing these names does not breach data protection rules.

Credit balances

Norwich City Council does not publish details of business rates credits held. We are unable to fulfil requests for this information under Section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which states:

“Information which is not exempt information by virtue of section 30 is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime.”

Publishing a list of unclaimed business rates credits could facilitate fraudulent claims and potentially enable individuals to defraud the council or businesses legitimately owed the credit.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the data, please email: foi-queries@norwich.gov.uk

Our 2025 reports

Looking for older reports? You can also access previous business rate reports.