BUSINESSES in rural Dorset received more than £567,000 in rate relief in the last financial year – and will get additional help in the current year.

The money was shared between 805 businesses – 263 in East Dorset, 205 in North Dorset, 174 in West Dorset, 93 in Purbeck and 70 in Weymouth and Portland.

The council-administered fund helps those struggling with the results of the Government’s 2017 revaluation which resulted in what has been described as ‘significant’ rate increases.

Locally the money has been used for independent businesses not those who are part of a franchise, national or multi-national.

In the current year the new Dorset Council has £234,000 of government allocated grant it can use to help with rate relief for local businesses with the amount dropping to £34,000 in 2020-21.

The council’s cabinet heard on Tuesday that there may be an underspend on the amount it can award this year, mainly because of firms relocating.

Councillors heard that if there was an underspend it will be used to give additional help firms still struggling with the changes – to be considered on a case by case basis.