BARNSLEY Council will receive more than £32m in business rates over the coming financial year.

The council’s ruling cabinet members will meet on Wednesday to discuss business rates calculations for the forthcoming year.

They retain 49 per cent of all cash raised in the year which is estimated to be £32.887m in the next financial year - more than £700,000 higher than the previous year’s amount.

Council bosses say the funds will go towards other services the local authority oversees, although concerns were expressed over schools becoming academies as an 80 per cent relief tariff is automatically awarded.

A report said: “Under the current Business Rates Retention Scheme (BRRS) councils retain 49 per cent of all business rates collected locally (known as the local share), and this amount forms part of the funding of the council’s agreed budget.

“An estimate of the local share to be retained in 2025/26 has been made and totals £32.887m.

“Charities are awarded 80 per cent mandatory relief - this continues to be a significant issue for the authority as schools that become academies will automatically receive relief on their business rates bill, thus reducing the resources available to fund other frontline council services.

“Despite the government’s additional support to small businesses, it is anticipated that the current economic challenges will continue to adversely impact collection rates.

“This will be carefully monitored during 2025/26 and will be reported to members accordingly.”