SOME of Bournemouth's biggest businesses are given a £4,000 discount on council tax - and it's a 'troubling issue', the leader of the council has admitted.

Charities and amateur community sports clubs can apply for discretionary rate relief of up to 80 per cent if a property is used for charitable purposes.

However, a number of commercial companies in Bournemouth currently claim the maximum amount of relief offered in the borough - £4,000.

These include Bournemouth University, BH Live and the West Hants Club.

By comparison, the Townsend Community Association is allocated tax relief of just £238.17.

Bournemouth YMCA is allowed a discount of £1,100.78.

At a meeting of Bournemouth's full council on Tuesday, Councillor Jackie Edwards said: "While I have no problem with various small charities having a discount, I fail to see why large organisations such as the university and BH Live, with all their premises like the BIC, the Pavilion and the Littledown Centre, are classed as charities and get the maximum discount.

"I am also puzzled as to why the West Hants Club, which charges membership, also has a £4,000 discount."

Council leader John Beesley said the council currently provides discretionary rate relief to charitable and recreational organisations "based on non-financial criteria", including the benefit provided to local residents.

"An example of this would be, 'Does this organisation enhance or supplement the council's activities?'" he said.

But the council plans to review its criteria so as to only award relief where it is deemed to be financially necessary.

The same review will also take place in Poole.

"These changes will be worked on and agreed during 2017/18 with the view to becoming effective as soon as possible," Cllr Beesley said.

"I have sympathy for the essence of the question.

"The issue has troubled me for a long time. We are trying to get something done about it."

BH Live, which runs the BIC, Pavilion, Littledown Centre and other premises, is a not-for-profit organisation.