Council Services For Businesses
A number of the regulations that will apply to your business are administered by Gosport Borough Council and it is important to ensure that you comply with their requirements. Information on the relevant Council services are outlined below:
Business Rates (Non Domestic Rates)
The Council is responsible for collecting business rates in the Gosport area. The amount payable by each business depends on the Rateable Value of your premises and a number of other factors, including exemptions and reliefs e.g. Small Business Rates Relief.
- Check the Rateable Value of your property
- Estimate the business rates you may be liable to pay
- Pay your business rates online
- Contact details for local taxation office (Gosport Borough Council)
- Small Business Rates Relief
- Other Business Rates Relief
Further information on business rates is available from the Valuation Office and GOV.UK
Building Control
Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people in or around those buildings. They also include requirements to ensure that fuel and power is conserved and facilities are provided for people, including those with disabilities, to access and move around inside buildings. Building Regulations are a separate requirement to planning permission and in many instances approval under both is required under separate applications.
Building Control Partnership are responsible for controlling the quality of all building work in Gosport. They approve work on commercial as well as domestic properties, whether they are new or existing, to ensure that it meets regulation standards. Prior to undertaking any work on your business premises you should seek Pre-submission advice which is available free of charge to ascertain whether approval is needed.
Further information on Building Regulations is also available from Local Authority Building Control.
Environmental Health
The Environmental Health service provides a wide range of support for local businesses and their employees. This includes: health promotion; food hygiene in commercial premises; controlling noise pollution; health and safety enforcement and advice; licensing and pest control.
Planning
If you require new premises you will need to check that the planning use is appropriate and whether a planning application for change of use is required. Gosport Council’s Planning Service provides free general information and advice and where possible, a planning officer will be available between 9am and 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the planning reception area on the 3rd floor of the Town Hall or can be contactable by telephone 023 9254 5461. Alternatively general enquiries can also be forwarded to planning@gosport.gov.uk.
Further online information is also available on:
Trading Standards
Trading Standards support businesses and the public, with the aim of ensuring that the highest standards of quantity, quality, price, description and safety are maintained. They provide free guidance to businesses in Hampshire on how to comply with trading standards.
Advice is also available on civil and criminal law; quality assurance; standards; unfair competition; labelling and advertising. Visit their website to find out more and access their full range of business advice leaflets. Alternatively you can contact them on 01962 833620 or email: tsadvice@hants.gov.uk
Trading Standards’ teams across Hampshire work together in support of the Buy with Confidence scheme. In addition to improving consumer confidence and protection, the aim of the scheme is to help businesses comply with the law. It is a membership scheme with a cost to join but members can access business advice as well as promotional support.
Other Council services also provide support and advice to businesses:
Community Safety
The Community Safety team works with the emergency services and other agencies to reduce crime and tackle anti-social behaviour within the Borough. Information and services are available to businesses affected by crime or interested in preventative measures.
Streetscene
The Streetscene team is responsible for keeping Gosport clean and tidy. They manage domestic waste management contracts and are responsible for recycling, control of fly tipping, abandoned vehicles and car parking enforcement.
Tourist Information
The Council works in partnership with local tourism and leisure-related businesses to promote the Borough to visitors.
To find out more about where to stay, local attractions and places to visit, as well as information on the area’s heritage and local eateries visit www.discovergosport.co.uk
The Council also support the industry-led Gosport Tourism Forum, which meets quarterly to progress the development of the Borough’s tourism offer and share information on activities and forthcoming events. To find out more email tourism@gosport.gov.uk or telephone 023 8062 5463.
Visitors to the Borough can also benefit from contacting the Tourist Information Centre (TIC), which is located adjacent to the Gosport Ferry Terminal. The TIC holds a whole host of information and can provide advice to both visitors and residents alike. They also maintain a database of accommodation in Gosport and can respond to both visitor and business enquiries concerning available accommodation for one or more nights. To contact the Tourist Information Centre, telephone 023 9252 2944 or email tourism@gosport.gov.uk.