Accurates were involved from the start of this project: the commissioning and occupation of a brand new, high quality 500,000 sq ft distribution centre in Bedfordshire by a leading High Street retailer of health and beauty products.

First, our specialist auditor proposed to the determining officer how the billing authority might take a pioneering approach to the exercise of its discretionary powers in this case.

Working with the local authority

We then agreed a programme of monthly joint site inspections with the billing authority's rating investigator. Our relationship with the various decision makers at the local authority was particularly important to us, because of the potential value to our client of the pioneering application of relief that we were seeking.

Accurates compiled and presented a comprehensively documented and closely argued report to the determining officer. We explained why the statutory discretion available to the authority was appropriate to these particular circumstances, bearing in mind both the spirit and the letter of rating law. As a result of our knowledge and experience we were able to convince the billing officer, who accepted our arguments in full.

We negotiated a substantial discretionary reduction totalling £750,000.