RELIEF for Andover’s businesses could be improved as Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) cabinet are set to discuss changes to business rates tomorrow.

Currently rates in Test Valley are limited to an eight per cent increase, but cabinet members at a meeting tomorrow evening will look at reducing the cap to seven per cent.

Councillors could also approve a rise in maximum relief payments from £5,000 to £5,500 per property.

TVBC finance portfolio holder Councillor Peter Giddings said: “One of our corporate objectives is to ensure that Test Valley is a great place to work and do business. The Revaluation Relief policy focuses on providing assistance to local businesses in the borough.

“All businesses within the borough that are eligible for relief have been re-billed and a total of £262,000 has been awarded to 264 of them. This means that the council has £60,000 left to award in 2017/18.

“Any unspent amounts have to be returned to central government and cannot be carried forward to a future financial year.

“As a result, we have reviewed our existing policy so that we remain true to our principles of supporting businesses in Test Valley and make sure we fully utilise the funding available.”

If the changes are approved, it could raise the amount of relief businesses already receive, and potentially extend the policy to a further 16 businesses.